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Braveheart
(1995)
MA15+ (Medium Level Violence) |
Staring: Mel Gibson, Sophie
Marceau, Patrick McGoohan, Catherine McCormack
Directed by: Mel Gibson
Written by: Randall Wallace
U.S.A Box Office: US$75,545,647
Winner of 5 Academy Awards (1996) including Best Picture,
Best Director (Mel Gibson), Best Cinematography
(John Toll), Best Sound Effects Editing (Lon Bender, Per
Hallberg), Best Makeup (Lois Burwell, Peter Frampton, Paul
Pattison)
Many films deal with battlefield heroics, however few have been both
critically acclaimed as well as being a box office success. Mel Gibson's battle
epic, Braveheart, managed to achieve success in both categories.
Braveheart is about the 13th century Scottish rebel leader William
Wallace. Mel Gibson plays Wallace who is portrayed as a reluctant hero, drawn into
battle by the murder of his young wife.
Wallace begins by using guerilla tactics on English garrisons in
Scotland. The success of these attacks allows Wallace to gather an army large enough
to face King Edward I's armies on the battlefield.
William Wallace also faces another battle convincing the Scottish
aristocracy to help him free their country from the tyranny of King Edward I. This
battle, however, proves more difficult than fighting the English armies as the Scottish
noblemen are more concerned with wealth and titles than the freedom of their countrymen.
The cast of the movie does an excellent job, with several unknowns
giving strong performances in key supporting roles. Gibson is wonderful in the lead
role of Wallace, a man who transforms from an unlikely soldier into a formidable warrior
through unfortunate events.
Gibson also directed the film and he does an excellent job of
recreating a medieval atmosphere. The locations are green, muddy and rugged, similar
to the Scottish highlands where Wallace's story apparently took place. The costumes
and makeup all add to the atmosphere and realism of the film.
Despite excellent acting and cinematography, what most people
remember from this movie is the frequent, bloody and violent battle scenes. Gibson
shows great talent directing these scenes, making the violence seem a necessary part of
the movie. More importantly, Gibson is able to avoid turning the battle scenes into
confusing, crowded scenes.
If this film does not keep you glued to your seat, you obviously do
not enjoy watching excellent movie-making and great acting. It is easy to see why
Braveheart won the Best Picture Oscar of 1996 and why Gibson won Best Director for his
stunning work behind the camera.
Rating: ****½ << Previous - Next >>
