Reviewed by Victor Rebikoff.
Director: Mel Gibson, 20th Century Fox, MA 178 Minutes.
This gripping biography of Scottish warrior William Wallace is considered one of the best movies of the 1990’s having been skilfully brought to life by Aussie filmmaker Mel Gibson who also played the role of Scotland’s famous freedom fighter.
Set in 1280, the young Wallace witnesses the deaths of his father and brother during the invasion of Scotland by King Edward (Patrick McGoohan – ‘Prisoner’) before being sent abroad by his uncle Argyle (Brian Cox – ‘Rob Roy’) for his education.
On his return he marries his childhood sweetheart Murron (Catherine McCormack – ‘Spy Game’) only to see her later being executed which causes Wallace to lead his clan against the King’s stronghold in his hometown and forcing them back to England.
As a consequence the enraged King directs his son Prince Edward (Peter Hanly – ‘Guiltrip’) to do everything possible to stop the rebellious Scotsman which ultimately makes Wallace gather all the clans in unison to revolt against the English.
While Wallace seeks the support of Robert the Bruce (Angus Macfadyen – ‘Titus’), a contender for the Scottish crown, the King simultaneously sends his son’s wife Isabella (Sophie Marceau – ‘Firelight’) to deal with Wallace – mainly to distract him from Edward’s invasion plans.
After being told by Isabella of the King’s intentions, Wallace appeals to the Scottish nobility of the need to take immediate action but is unheeded, resulting in the Scots losing at the important battle at Falkirk. This failure forces Wallace to wage a seven year guerrilla-type warfare against the English until he is betrayed by the Scottish nobility which ends up with Wallace’s capture, public torture and execution.
In spite of Wallace’s dreadful death, it is left to Robert the Bruce to finally achieve the independence for the Scots in 1314 evoking Wallace’s famous words of “freedom” as he expels the English from Scottish soil.
Gibson’s blockbuster is a spectacular movie of around 3 hours duration with many epic battle sequences depicting the legendary Scots warrior who through his courage and determination brought the clans together in his battles against the English army.
Apart from the brutality in certain scenes ‘Braveheart’ symbolises a realistic freedom fighter for his time whose sole purpose was to free Scotland before being captured and executed.
Besides the picturesque scenery shot in Scotland, Gibson as director manages to assemble a gifted cast that includes most notably McGoohan as the cunning King Edward with himself delivering a memorable performance as Wallace.
It therefore should come as no surprise that the movie was awarded 5 Oscars in 1996 including Best Picture-and for Gibson Best Director.
Braveheart is being televised on Channel 7Flix on Saturday 5 December at 8.30PM
Vic’s Verdict: 4 ½ Stars
