Braveheart

Rating:
Summary: Big, bold, beautiful, pointless
Review: This big budget historical epic, complete with the most explicit maimings ever captured on film, and Patrick McGoohan's portrayal of King Edward as a villian so foul you are surprised he does not cackle, is big, broad spectacle in the Cecil B. DeMille tradition. Alas, it ultimately fails to give a reason for William Wallace's fight and fails to give its hero's cry of "freedom!" any real meaning. Apparently, "freedom" means Scottish women would be abused and debauched only by Scottish men and not by English ones. Wallace is definitely a figure worthy of a film like this, but I think this film misses the chance to explore the nature of Scottish nationalism, and it misses the chance to explore the remarkable example of a peasant who came to lead armies. It misses the chance to explore the collision of a tribal culture and a feudal one. It's a good movie, but nowhere near living up to the hype.

Rating:
Summary: Proud to be Scottish
Review: This movie is one of the all time greats. It inspired me so much to become more than I am and that is rare in film making. It is truely a passionate film with some very touching and some extremely violent scenes. It is long but you would never no so by watching it. The time just flies bye. The score really gives it that extra push and the acting is superb. Completely fantastic.

Rating:
Summary: Formulaic but fun
Review: Didja ever notice that most of Mel Gibson's movies have the same premise: Nice moral guy is living a peaceful life with his family until some bad guy messes with/kills his family, then it's payback time for Mad Mel. We saw it in the original Mad Max, it's the underlying theme in the Lethal Weapon series, it's the engine that drives Braveheart and we got it again in The Patriot. There are other Gibson flics involving a mob debt and a kidnapped son that also follow the pattern. Mel's remake of Macbeth fits too.
And then there's the problem of whether Braveheart has any historical merit. Of course it doesn't. Very little is known about William Wallace - certainly not enough to make an accurate movie of this length and scope - and some of what is known got twisted around a bit in the interest of cenematic storytelling.
All that said, I have to confess I love this movie. This film probably represents the high water mark of Mel's Success Formula. The good guys are lovable and the bad guys are deliciously evil and malignant. When it comes to movies about righteous underdog Scots hacking the arrogant English to hamburger, it just doesn't get any better than Braveheart.
Just remember: get your entertaiment at the movies and your history out of books.

Rating:
Summary: A Must Own!
Review: A good movie entertains you, and perhaps even gets you thinking about life, existence, the universe. A great movie grabs hold of you and never lets go. It alters your perspective of the world and imposes upon you its own vision whether you wish it or not. BRAVEHEART falls into that latter category. It is undoubtedly one of the best movies of the 90's.

Set in medieval Scotland and England, BRAVEHEART depicts the life of William Wallace (Mel Gibson, who also directs), a Scottish rebel who challenges the cruel tyranny of the English king Edward the Longshanks. Wallace's life is one shaped by treachery, lost love, loyalty, and an insatiable human desire for freedom. In the span of three hours, we explore and come to understand his plight and motivations.

Even through the great misfortunes of his life, Wallace remains hopeful and strong through tragedy. These emotions and ideas are so tangible and conveyed so effectively that it becomes impossible to ignore. Indeed, it is a testament to the insight and power of this movie that freedom fighters in Chechnya often looked to it for inspiration.

If you've never seen BRAVEHEART before, you owe it to yourself to own a copy of this movie. This DVD also has a wonderful, revealing 3-hour commentary by Mel Gibson and a 30-minute "making-of" featurette. These are nice additions to an already fantastic movie.

In short, I unequivocally recommend purchasing this DVD.

Rating:
Summary: No Other Film Comes Close!
Review: Braveheart is a captivating epic that stars (and is directed by) Mel Gibson. It is basically about a young Scottish man named William Wallace and his life. The story starts with him as a boy and his father being killed in war. He is then taken to be raised by his warrior-like uncle who teaches him to fight and protect himself. William then returns to his home village and falls in love with a young lady he knew when he was a child. The two secretely get married. All seems well until the English kill William's wife.
This is the point in the story where William begins his revolution and fight to free Scotland. Followed by thousands, Gibson gives a stunning performance. There is a lot of great war action to keep you action buff's at bay, and lots of great scenes with incredible drama for you saps out there.
Overall, Braveheart is a film that will keep you waiting to go to the bathroom for as long as three hours. There is never a dull moment and is a film that can be appreciated by all types of people alike!

Rating:
Summary: Historically Inaccurate
Review: Much of the details of the events depicted in the movie are grossly incorrect. However, William Wallace was a true patriot (Scotland's George Washington) and rallied a war-torn and rival clan nations into a single nation, although Scotland eventually lost its independence to England.

The Blackwatch are still opposed to English rule. The movie was very entertaining and Mel did a great job!

Rating:
Summary: Braveheart DVD
Review: Braveheart came out in 1995, but time has not dimmed our
quest for seeing and talking about this wonderful movie. The
DVD is out now and is certainly better to buy than the video
on VHS. The extended features such as a conversation with
Mel Gibson give more details to think about. This is a fabulous
story directed by Mel Gibson who also plays the main character,
William Wallace, Braveheart who tried to pull the clans together
and oust the English. Although he died before this could happen,
the spirit he aroused in his countryment carried the day. Get this!

Rating:
Summary: Braveheart
Review: The Braveheart must be simply THE best movie I ever saw. It is very touching and heroic and there are no silent scenes. All are packed with action and betrayal, hope, love, passion and fight for freedom.

It shows what life was really like for Scots in the 13th century. It was very cruel and hard for Scots to live in! It portrays the Englishmen as the most ruthless people on Earth. Of course, that is not so now in 21st century, but in that time period it really was like that!

The music of the movie is very beautiful as well - mix of Scottish pipes and chilling tones. The special effects and the gory bloody scenes are completely effective!!!

When I watched that movie for the first time, I felt like I was really among the Scots, in the middle of the battlefield, staring at the brutal fight.

For anyone who has not seen Braveheart, there is only one thing to say: GO GET IN ON THE VHS!! You will not find another movie with so much good acting, great music and passion as Braveheart!

Rating:
Summary: A Fight For Freedom
Review: Mel Gibson's Oscar winning epic, BRAVEHEART, is a great film. Set in the 13th century Gibson stars as William Wallace, a Scottsman, who returns to his homeland, after a long abscence. Upon his return, he learns that the Scott King has died, leaving no heir to the throne. The country is now being ruled by King Edward, (Patrick McGoohan) a ruthless leader, who cares nothing about the land or its people. William takes charge and vows to fight for the liberation of Scotland. BRAVEHEART is quite a film. From its breathtaking landscapes, shot by John Toll, to its intense battle sequences, the film will keep you "involved" throughout its entire 177 minutes. The script, by Randall Wallace, has its moments of over the top bravado. But it also has some good points as well. Gibson does a great job pulling double duty here, as director and star. Given the film's size and scope, this was not an easy movie to make, doing one job is hard enough...A stunning movie.

The DVD has two main extras on it. The commentary by Mr. Gibson is pretty good. However, my only gripe may be that the length of the film means some gaps of silence and a few moments where he repeats himself. The production feature is nicely produced by HBO but nothing more The only other extra on the disc is the inclusion of 2 theatrical trailers. I would have expected some more extras on the DVD, since its a multiple award winner...Even with my minor complaints, BRAVEHEART, still gets 5 stars from me, and comes highly recommended

Rating:
Summary: Here's a bridge for you.
Review: My dad and I never really liked the same movies too much. He loved John Wayne movies, either as a two-fisted cattle baron or "Jap" fighter, if you care to use such a term. I love martial arts films... always have, and always will (and since John Wayne's stance on Asians was pretty clear, you can guess my choice in movies went over like a fart in church at my house). But there were a handful of movies that we really bonded over. The "Rocky" series, "Top Gun", "Over the Top", "Good Will Hunting", and "Braveheart".
I'm not Scottish, I don't claim some long lost Scottish heritage, and I don't know Scottish history. All I know is that we loved this movie. He liked the epic story and action, I liked the performances and all that. We didn't get even get up to go the bathroom or anything. We were so enthralled, we didn't pay attention to the 3 hour length at all. The dramatic scenes were incredibly moving. So far as I know, this is the only movie, besides "The Lion King", that both my father and I ever cried at. And, like "Rudy" before it, I simultaneously tear up and get a big charge when this great film comes to its stirring conclusion. My father even stood up and applauded at the end, and, as anyone in my family could tell you, finding a movie to get my dad on his feet and give an ovation was no small feat.
I'm biased about Braveheart, so what? Share this movie with someone you care about. Rant. Cheer. Cry if you want. It's worth it.