Braveheart (1995) – Encore Review 2

“There’s a difference between us. You think the people of this country exist to provide you with position. I think your position exists to provide those people with freedom. And I go to make sure that they have it.” – Willaim Wallace

Number of Times Seen – at least 10 times (Twice in Theater in 1995, Video, DVD, 26 Aug 2000, Feb 2013, 31 Oct 2013, 27 Nov 2016 and 23 Jul 2020)

Link to original review – Here and Here

Brief Synopsis – A Scottish revolutionary helps inspire the masses to take up an armed revolt against their English rulers in order to gain their own freedom.

My Take on it – This is a film that I have always loved ever since I first saw it in the theater 25 years ago.

The story itself is quite powerful and epic and is presented really well by Mel Gibson (in only his second film as a director).

The film does have lots and lots of historical inaccuracies, yet it still is so engrossing and enjoyable to watch unfold in its own right.

Gibson does a wonderful job playing the lead and directing this film.

The film’s message about freedom is presented really well and still rings true even after two and half decades because it is shown in such a profound way.

The film’s battle scenes are superbly filmed and the graphic nature of it all helps show the real brutality of war which is shown in some very unexpected ways here.

Love the way that this film tries to balance the love one has for another with the kind of love one has for their own country where they are willing to give up everything for both or either of them.

The score by James Horner is great and its Scottish theme helps make it so enjoyable and epic to listen to over and over.

This film was quite a deserving winner for Best Picture and Best Director even tho two of its rivals that year; Apollo 13 (1995) and Sense and Sensibility (1995) were also spectacular and deserving of those accolades too

Bottom Line -Amazingly presented as an epic story despite its various historical inaccuracies. Gibson does a superb job acting and directing this film in such a powerful and poignant way. The message of the film rings true so well and its theme about freedom remains profound even after 25 years. The battle scenes are depicted in a very realistic fashion and the graphic nature helps show the brutality of war in ways that come across as being unexpected. The film is able to give a great balance to the love one has for another while also having a deep love for one’s own country. The music by Horner is quite profound and adds such an epic feel to the story while also preserving the national themes of Scotland along the way. Very deserving winner of Best Picture and Best Director at the Oscars even tho it was up against Apollo 13 (1995) and Sense and Sensibility (1995). Highly Highly Recommend!

MovieRob’s Favorite Trivia – Was voted the second “Most Historically Inaccurate Movie” by The Times, third by Ranker, and fourth by ScreenRant. Major points of contention were: William Wallace, a landowner and minor knight in real life, presented as a poor villager; his relationship with Queen Isabella (who was around 5-years-old at the time of his death); anachronistic garments and traditions, such as kilts, face-painting, and battle tactics. Some of the other inaccuracies include: Scotland had only been occupied by England for a year prior to Wallace’ rebellion; Robert the Bruce actually bore the nickname Braveheart, not Wallace; although he would often change his allegiance, he did not directly betray Wallace; Longshanks died on a campaign two years after Wallace’ execution; the execution itself was much more graphic than insinuated, involving emasculation and evisceration. Both screenwriter Randall Wallace and director/actor Mel Gibson have acknowledged these deviations from reality, but maintain that they were inspired by the myth surrounding Wallace, and wanted to tell a cinematically compelling story rather than a history lesson. (From IMDB)

Rating – Oscar Worthy (10/10) (no change from original review)