Review of Braveheart (1995) by Jon T — 20 Dec 2015

Scottish warrior William Wallace (Mel Gibson) revolts against a cruel English tyrant after his wife is horribly slaughtered in this spectacularly epic, powerfully charged drama. Serving as both director and lead actor, Gibson successfully scores both targets.

Not only does he provide an engrossing tale which grabs audiences from its chilling first frame to the last, he embues Wallace with soulful passion and unbridled charisma, making the character compelling from the moment he is introduced.

It really is no wonder BRAVEHEART was awarded the Best Picture Oscar; the cinematography is absolutely breathtaking, showcasing Scotland's breathtaking vistas, and the performances from everyone involved are fantastic.

The picture clocks in at approximately three hours, but you wouldn't know this because the story moves at a magnetic, lightning-speed pace. Be warned, however, that BRAVEHEART also contains sequences of uncompromisingly graphic violence, particularly in two lengthy battle scenes which involve a lot of stabbing, beheading, severing, and a lot more besides.

This could be a potential turn-off for squeamish viewers. However, the scope of the storyline and the character dynamics all make up for it by far. If you can handle its sometimes grisly bits, BRAVEHEART is deserving of every praise it receives and is a major triumph for Gibson.

Very highly recommended.