Braveheart (1995)

"One of the most spectacular entertainments in years.  Caryn James, The New York Times
"Thrilling, a grand cinematic adventure -- beautifully handled myth-making from Gibson...  Louis Black, Austin Chronicle
"Startlingly vigorous and entertaining piece of work.  Matt Zoller Seitz, Mr. Showbiz

Editor's Note Mel Gibson directs and stars in this Academy Award-winning epic based on the life of legendary thirteenth century Scottish hero William Wallace. Returning to his homeland following the death of an heirless king, Wallace (Mel Gibson) finds the political landscape precarious. Edward the Longshanks, King of England (Patrick McGoohan), has captured Scotland's throne and threatens the freedom of all Scottish people, as tyrannical policies instituted by the English plague the Scots. Initially, Wallace is content to stand by the wayside, yearning for the simple life of building a home and raising a family. However, when the woman he loves (Catherine McCormack) suffers a cruel fate at the hands of English soldiers, Wallace takes a stand against the new rule. With his fierce patriotism and determination, he gathers an amateur but passionately rebellious army. Although this makeshift force may be outnumbered by the English troops, their desperation and love for their land surpass any military maneuvers, as evidenced in the film's breathtaking battle sequences.

	Angus McFadyen
	Brendan Gleeson
	Brian Cox
	Catherine McCormack
	James Robinson
	Mel Gibson
	Patrick McGoohan
	Sophie Marceau
	James Horner - Original Music By
	John Toll - Cinematographer
	Ken Court, et. al. - Art Director
	Mel Gibson - Director
	Mel Gibson - Producer
	Randall Wallace - Writer
	Stephen McEveety - Executive Producer
	Steven Rosenblum - Editor
	Thomas E. Sanders - Production Designer

This Academy Award-winning epic, directed by Mel Gibson, tells the saga of the legendary thirteenth century Scottish hero William Wallace, known to his countrymen as Braveheart. Gibson stars as Wallace, who rallies the Scots against the tyrannical English monarch Edward I after he suffers a personal tragedy at the hands of English soldiers. Willing to fight to the death for Scotland's freedom, Wallace assembles an amateur band of warriors whose faith in freedom is stronger than any English army. Rolling Stone
"...This rousing, romantic adventure is laced with sorrow and savagery....With breathtaking skill, Gibson captures the exhilaration and horror of combat in some of the most vivid battle scenes ever filmed..." 06/15/1995 p.85-6

USA Today
"...Uncommonly passionate....A storm-the-castle spectacle..." -- 4 out of 4 stars 05/24/1995 p.1D

Premiere
"...A bracing, visceral war adventure..." -- 3 out of 5 stars - A Satisfying Rental 12/01/2000 p.97

Variety
"...A muscular and brutal medieval war movie....Marceau and McCormack both cut striking figures....Gibson's central performance is also strong..." 05/22/1995

Chicago Sun-Times
"...BRAVEHEART is a full throated, red-blooded battle epic....Gibson plays his role with flamboyance, and cuts it with sly humor..." 05/24/1995 p.55

Ultimate DVD
5 stars out of 5 -- "[B]loody, stirring...still sending a shiver up the spine." 04/01/2008 p.93

ReelViews 10 of 10
I'm a big fan of the epic adventure, a category in which Braveheart, like cream, rises to the top. There's a lot in this film that's praiseworthy -- not the least of which is its ambition. Those viewing this picture may be easily reminded of Gettysburg, The Last of the Mohicans, Glory, and such classics as Lawrence of Arabia, El Cid, and Spartacus. The grandeur is certainly present; nevertheless, Gibson gives us not only memorable battles, but characters of real substance...Braveheart is a brutal, bloody motion picture, but the violence is not gratuitous. The maimings, decapitations, and other assorted gruesome details make Wallace's world seem real and immediate. In addition, few theatrical moments make a more eloquent statement against war than when Gibson shows women and children weeping over the dead on a body-littered battlefield. War is a two-headed beast, and both faces -- the glorious and the tragic -- are depicted...Lately, certain films have come in pairs: two Robin Hoods, two Columbuses, two Earps, and now two Highlander epics. Rob Roy, the first, is a fine motion picture. Braveheart, however, is better, offering an exhilarating, and occasionally touching, experience that has viewers leaving the theater caught up in an afterglow of wonder. - James Berardinelli

Chicago Sun-Times 9 of 10
Mel Gibson's "Braveheart" is a fullthroated, red-blooded battle epic about William Wallace, the legendary Scots warrior who led his nation into battle against the English in the years around 1300. It's an ambitious film, big on simple emotions like love, patriotism and treachery, and avoids the travelogue style of so many historical swashbucklers: Its locations look green, wet, vast, muddy and rugged...Gibson is not filming history here, but myth. William Wallace may have been a real person, but "Braveheart" owes more to Prince Valiant, Rob Roy and Mad Max. Once we understand that this is not a solemn historical reconstruction (and that happens pretty fast), we accept dialogue that might otherwise have an uncannily modern tone...And as Braveheart, Gibson plays his role with flamboyance, and cuts it with sly humor. He is an amazing battlefield strategist, inventing new strategies and weapons, outsmarting the English at every turn, leading his men into battle with his face painted blue, like a football fan. There is a scene where he is so pumped up with the scent of battle that his nostrils flare; not many actors could get away with that, but Gibson can. - Roger Ebert