I'm back albeit part time!! Almost settled in completely, so finally able to come back to write and ...
I'm back albeit part time!! Almost settled in completely, so finally able to come back to write and read - and have loads to read!!! Thanks for the r/r/c's much appreciated and will be returned!!!!
Member since:02.10.2005
Reviews:124
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Set in Scotland in the 13th and 14th Centuries, this is the epic tale of Sir William Wallace. Mel Gibson starred in the main role of Wallace and also directed this film. It was filmed in the area of Fort William, not far from Inverness where I am originally from. A little bit of trivia for you - this won the 1995 Academy Award for Best Picture. It won a total of 5 awards, and in my mind, they were all truly well deserved. I paid £19.99 for this film as I bought it as soon as it came out on DVD but I have seen it advertised online for as little as £6.99 so its advisable to shop around as it can be purchased for very little.
DVD Info ~~~~~~~
Region - 2 PAL Length (Film only) - 171 minutes approximately Languages - English, German Subtitles - English, German for Hearing Impaired Certificate - 15 (there is some language and a lot of violence) Price - I paid £19.99 but you can get it a lot cheaper online
A Little History Lesson ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
For those of you who haven't heard of him, William Wallace was one of the pioneers of Scottish history, long before Bonnie Prince Charlie and the Jacobite Uprising in 1745. Wallace was of the 13th and 14th centuries, just prior to Robert The Bruce being crowned King of Scotland. This film precedes all of these events. Wallace was eventually captured by the English forces and hung, drawn and
quartered in London. Thus endeth the lesson!
The Film ~~~~~~~
The film begins with Wallace as a child. His father and brother leave to go to a meeting under the banner of truce with King Edward Longshanks, the King of England. Unfortunately, they do not return but are murdered by the King, along with other Scottish Noblemen. At the funeral, bagpipes are played (outlawed pipes as they are called in the film - this was true as the bagpipes were outlawed by Longshanks). Wallace is adopted by his Uncle Argyll, who takes him away and educates him in the ways of the world before his return to Scotland.
On his return to Scotland, Wallace (Gibson) meets and falls in love with Murron (Catherine McCormack). They marry in secret as Longshanks has declared that his Lords in Scotland have the rite of prima nocte (first night with a woman after she is married). Wallace and Murron marry in secret so that the local Lord does not get this night with her. Unfortunately, she is murdered by the English forces in the area, thus prompting Wallace to wreak his revenge on the English, along with his best friend Hamish, Hamish's father (James Cosmo) and others. Of course the MacGregor clansmen from the neighbouring glen come to join the fight. Wallace tried to send them away stating that some were already embroiled in the confrontation but others need not be. The MacGregors stayed!
There is to be a battle with English Lords and Scottish Noblemen, but only if they do not agree to terms. The Noblemen have brought their "army", who soon lose heart and make to leave the battlefield. Wallace and his men arrive, and Wallace 'picks a fight' with the English. This was a fantastic scene to watch, with Gibon giving a wonderful speech in which he tells the Scotsmen that "They will never take our Freedom!" (hence the title of this review!). It was funny too when the Scotsmen all mooned at the English Lord!
Wallace is made Lord Protector of Scotland (true) and decides to invade England, as the Balliols and Bruces cannot stop squabbling over who have the rightful claim to the Scottish throne. After sacking York (true), Wallace is met by the Princess of Wales, who learns more of him than she anticipated and is later given some inside information from the Princess before returning to Scotland to fight another battle. To cut a long story short, the Scots lose this battle and flee to the hills. What becomes of William Wallace and his army? Well to find this out, you will just have to watch the film! I'm not giving away the whole storyline, just enough to get you all interested!
DVD Extras ~~~~~~~~~
These are all pretty self explanatory, and as there are 2 discs, I will just give you a short list of what they are.
This is titled "Mel Gibson's Braveheart - A Filmmaker's Passion" and is a short documentary about the making of Braveheart and Mel Gibson's reasoning for directing the film. Its a great insight into the making of this film, and even shows that he enlisted the help of the Territorial Army as extras for the big battle scenes. There are short little insights with cast members on their thoughts about the film. This is a great addition to the film itself and really interesting to watch.
It is here that Gibson states that history about Wallace is patchy and minimal and that a lot of the film had to be added in. For example - no-one knows about Wallace's life and loves before history records him fighting the English so this part has been largely fictionalised but Gibson does state that he wanted the film to be as historical as possible. He's done that marvellously.
Cast ~~~~
William Wallace - Mel Gibson Murron Wallace - Catherine McCormack Uncle Argyll Wallace - Brian Cox (X-Men 2) Campbell - James Cosmo (Chronicles of Narnia) Robert The Bruce - Angus McFadyen (Equilibrium) Edward Longshanks - Patrick McGoohan (The Prisoner_ Princess Isabelle - Sophie Marceau
My Opinion ~~~~~~~~~
As someone who grew up not far from Culloden Battlefield, I have lived with Scottish history all my life, and this was a treat to watch. Not only have they taken the history books and given a semi-accurate account of Wallace's life and death, Gibson gave an outstanding performance of the man himself (and a not bad rendition of a Scottish accent too!).
I loved this film from start to finish! I laughed at some of the antics, I cried at the sad parts, and most of all I was glued to the screen for the whole film! It takes a lot to keep my attention, as I normally potter around the living room when there is a DVD on, but for this film, I sat for the duration and could not take my eyes off the screen. I did not want to miss anything. I have now had this DVD for quite a while now and it has been watched many times and it never loses its appeal.
Yes there is some strong language, there is a lot of violence, but it is a 'historical drama' and most certainly worth watching in my mind. If you get the chance to watch this film, please do, it is definitely a classic film. Five stars from me!!
Thanks for reading and happy watching! XX
Pictures of Braveheart (Special Edition) (DVD)
No 1
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
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Apologies for only the helpful rating but this is due to one criminal pet hate of mine - the distortion of history through film. William Wallace is essentially a footnote in Scottish history with a plot scripted here to make his vastly inferior achievements to Robert the Bruce seem that more grandiose. An awful film, and in my mind not the most accurate of reviews in places. Alboy
Morning_Becomes_Electra 18.04.2006 17:37
I have not seen this yet, and i must. I liked the pictures. Electra x
danthepianoman 17.04.2006 21:30
Sounds exciting, you somehow seem to manage to make this film come alive! Dan.
A stupendous historical saga,Braveheartwon five Oscars, including Best Picture and Best ... more
Director for star Mel Gibson. He plays William Wallace, a 13th-century Scottish commoner who unites the various clans against a cruel English King, Edward the Longs...
Postage & Packaging: £1.21 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
A stupendous historical saga,Braveheartwon five Oscars, including Best Picture and Best ... more
Director for star Mel Gibson. He plays William Wallace, a 13th-century Scottish commoner who unites the various clans against a cruel English King, Edward the Longs...
Postage & Packaging: free Super Saver Delivery Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours...
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![Braveheart (2 Disc Digitally Remastered Special Edition) [1995] [DVD]](http://picnica.ciao.com/uk/116082786.jpg "Braveheart (2 Disc Digitally Remastered Special Edition) [1995] [DVD]")
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