Braveheart Review
To celebrate 30 years of this fantastic film, here is my review of Braveheart. One of Mel Gibson's best films, and say what you want about Mel Gibson, but the guy knows how to make a great film. Braveheart is a movie based on William Wallace, a Scottish hero who led the Scottish people in revolt against King Edward I of England. Now the film isn't historically accurate because there is a lot of stuff that didn't happen according to historical records. However, this is a great film that won Best Picture at the Oscars, and it is one of Mel Gibson's best works.
"Every man dies, not every man really lives."
The film explores William Wallace's origin and how he lost his father and brother to the English, and was sent to live with his uncle, who taught him how to fight. When he returns home, he sees how his country has fallen under the rule of Longshanks, and he wants to marry Murron, a woman he has loved since childhood. However, since England was ruling Scotland, King Longshanks had declared that every noble Englishman would have the right to sleep with a bride on her wedding day.
As Longshanks says. "If we can't get them out, we'll breed them out."
It's a sad love story, too, but in the end, the last thing William saw before he died was his beloved wife.
So they married in secret, but unfortunately, the English found out and they killed his wife, and it's a heartbreaking scene in the movie.
After her death, one of the best scenes happens when Willian returns. It looks like he's going to surrender, but he grabs his mace and kills the soldier.
All the Scots rise in rebellion, and in the film, we meet Robert the Bruce, the top contender for the throne of Scotland, and one of my favourite scenes with Robert the Bruce is with him and William Wallace as they talk about nobility and leadership. I love the line William Wallace says to him.
"And if you would just lead them to freedom. They'd follow you and so would I."
I love line because that is a true leader, someone who leads by example, not by titles.
Additionally, I admire how Wallace supports Robert's claim to the throne, as he doesn't want it but believes Robert is the rightful leader.
This film had some great battle scenes, and the funniest part is when the Scouts moon the English, which made me laugh so hard. Especially notable is how the English army looks annoyed and pissed, and they fire again. The battles were epic, and the film itself had an excellent score; the music was compelling. The film's cast was fantastic, like Mel Gibson, Batherine McCormack, Sophie Marceau, Angus MacFadyen (Who reprised his role as Robert the Bruce in a sequel that wasn't made by Mel Gibson), the late Patrick McGoohan, Brendan Gleeson, James Cosmo, Brian Cox, Tommy Flanagan, Peter Hanly, and Peter Mullan.
Braveheart, to me, is one of the best films I've ever seen, and its work has inspired so many people. The dialogue, music, and acting are all perfect. I loved the ending of the film, and I was sad when William Wallace died; however, the ending with Robert as King and the Scots army charging into battle and the music is brilliant.
The chanting of Wallace was great too, and they fought like warrior poets, fighting like Scotsmen and winning their freedom. King Robert the Bruce went on to become one of Scotland's most famous kings, and his descendant, King James the First of Scotland, would be the first king of the United Kingdom. The royal family of England is also descended from him.
I love this film, and I'm so thankful that my dad introduced me to it because I see why it's one of his favorite films. Braveheart is a 10 out of 10, and say what you will about Mel Gibson, but he can tell a damn good story.
Great Line!
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