“Braveheart” (1995) directed & starring Mel Gibson / Z-View

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Braveheart (1995)

Director:  Mel Gibson

Screenplay: Randall Wallace

Stars: Mel Gibson, Sophie Marceau, Patrick McGoohan, Angus Macfadyen, Sean Lawlor, James Cosmo, Ralph Riach, Ellen Greene, Brendan Gleeson, Tommy Flanagan and Brian Cox.

Tagline:  Every man dies, not every man really lives.

The Plot…

In the year 1280, King Edward 1 of England known as Longshanks conquers Scotland.  Longshanks installs Overlords to rule.  The people of Scotland have lost their freedom and are treated poorly.  William Wallace was just a boy.  His father and older brother were killed in the war to keep Scotland free.  William was sent away to live with his Uncle.

Now a man, William returns to the village of his birth.  He sees firsthand the mistreatment of the Scottish people.  William secretly marries his childhood sweetheart.  They wed in secret because Longshanks has granted his English Overlords jus primae noctis.  This law allows the English rulers the right to have sex with any Scottish female.  The Overlords especially like to take advantage of this on the bride’s wedding night.

When pushed too far, William leads the overthrow of the local English ruler.  The Scottish people rally around William’s charismatic leadership.  Soon he has a small army.  After winning several battles, William allows a survivor to live.  William tells him, “Go back to England and tell them there that Scotland’s daughters and her sons are yours no more. Tell them Scotland is free.”

Longshanks is unwilling to give up Scotland.  He sends his armies to put down the rebellion and kill William Wallace.

All men die, but not all truly live.  This is the story of William Wallace

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Braveheart was nominated for ten 1996 Academy Awards and won five…

  • Nominee for Best Music, Original Dramatic Score – James Horner
  • Nominee for Best Film Editing – Steven Rosenblum
  • Nominee for Best Best Sound – Andy Nelson, Scott Millan, Anna Behlmer, Brian Simmons
  • Nominee for Best Costume Design – Charles Knode
  • Nominee for Best Writing, Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen – Randall Wallace
  • Winner for Best Makeup – Peter Frampton, Paul Pattison, Lois Burwell
  • Winner for Best Effects, Sound Effects Editing – Lon Bender, Per Hallberg
  • Winner for Best Cinematography – John Toll
  • Winner for Best Director – Mel Gibson
  • Winner for Best Picture – Mel Gibson, Alan Ladd Jr., Bruce Davey

Braveheart, while fictionalized, does what Gibson intended.  It entertains and inspires.

Braveheart (1995) rates 5 of 5 stars