Braveheart (1995) * * * 1/2

Directed by:  Mel Gibson

Starring:  Mel Gibson, Patrick McGoohan, Catherine McCormack, Sophie Marceau, Angus Macfadyen, Brian Cox

Braveheart is passionate, bloody, rousing, and thrilling.   Based on myths and legends about its hero, William Wallace (Gibson), the movie tracks his quest for revenge that grows so large that it results in Scotland's independence from England in the 13th century.  Once English noblemen kill Wallace's wife (McCormack) after he marries her in secret, Wallace's rage can not be squelched.   His rampage inspires a nation of Scotsmen to rise up against tyrannical Edward I (McGoohan), known none-too-affectionately as Longshanks.  The movie sweeps us up in Wallace's story.  And yes it is violent.     Wallace wouldn't have it any other way.

Gibson won a Best Director Oscar for this film, which also won Best Picture.  He choreographs the battle scenes expertly, so we know what is going on and why.    We are not lost in a sea of men, swords, blood, and mayhem.     It plays like a live chess match with real people as the pawns and the king.    James Horner's score captures a triumphant Scottish note.     Wallace's legend grows so large that people soon begin to describe him as eight feet tall.     The legend says Wallace was actually near that height.     It is tough to dispute or confirm this information because anyone who witnessed it is long dead.  

Longshanks is the perfect villain for this film.  He is forever impatient, put-upon, and disdainful of most.     His homosexual son, next in line for the throne, marries a French princess (Marceau) for political reasons, but they can not conceive a child.   Longshanks laments that he may have to do the job himself.   Maybe laments is the wrong word.  More like observes.  The princess is soon sent to meet with Wallace and discuss a truce.  She is powerfully attracted to him, so much so that she gives away battle plans to aid the Scots. Longshanks is not the type of king who fosters loyalty.  

Wallace and his warriors wear face paint and give pep talks similar to a coach pumping up his players before a game.  We don't know if this was such a custom, but it is powerful and we accept it.  Gibson's film may take place in the 13th century, but its views and methods are contemporary.     Soon Wallace urges his fellow Scotsmen to fight for their freedom from England.  Was this actually the case?   Gibson fills in the holes to make a compelling story. 

Wallace soon gains an admirer in Robert the Bruce (Macfadyen), next in line for the Scottish throne who originally prefers not to upset the apple cart, but soon is swayed to fight with Wallace.  Sort of.     He is a key player in a betrayal of Wallace that absolutely stuns and crushes Wallace spiritually...for only a little while.  Wallace is soon captured and put to death by Longshanks' cronies in a scene where he is drawn, quartered, disemboweled, and dies a slow, agonizing death before ultimately being beheaded.  The good news is, unlike Gibson's The Passion of the Christ (2004), this long, drawn-out execution is left to the imagination since we don't actually see the acts occurring.  But man it must've hurt.

Braveheart is a superior example of a historical action epic.  It runs nearly three hours and only drags momentarily in the beginning, but once Gibson appears, the energy level rises and the passions are ignited.  Since Gibson plays Wallace so convincingly, we are apt to follow him and it is moving to see how his successor Robert the Bruce picks up the sword and continues to fight for Scotland. I know the English weren't expecting it.