BRAVEHEART
A film review by Stephen Rafferty
Copyright 1995 Stephen Rafferty
* - Very Poor ** - Bad, not much here. *** - Good. **** - Very good, see this. ***** - Excellent, a must see. One of the years best
BRAVEHEART *****
Directed by Mel Gibson Starring: Mel Gibson. Sophie Morceau, Patrick MacGoohan, Catherine McCormack Produced by Mel Gibson, Alan Ladd Jr., and Bruce Davey Written by Randall Wallace Director of Photrography John Toll
There are times when art touches a personal chord, and for me the viewing of Mel Gibson's BRAVEHEART was one of those times. I was born and raised not far from Stirling in Scotland where William Wallace's monument stands and his first battle took place. As you can imagine, the stories of Wallace abound in that area, and it is of great joy to review that Gibson has done those stories and legends proud. As with any historic film, Gibson has taken some liberties with fact, but overall he has kept to the spirit of Wallace and that is extremely important. It is the best film to grace the screens so far this year.
Set in 13th Century Scotland, we find the Young William Wallace ready and willing to go and fight with his father and brother against Edward II who killed off the nearest threats to his throne in Scotland. William's father tells him something which will stay with him throughout his life and throughout the film: "It's our wits that make us men." Wallaces father and brother are killed and the young William is taken from his home by his uncle Argyle, played by the brilliant Scottish character actor Brian Cox.
After some years, Wallace returns to his village and meets up with his old friends and an old flame from his father's funeral, Morren. They two fall in love, wed secretly and seem happy in their intended life together. However, the local English lord thwarts these plans when he kills Morren, and then waits for Wallace. This is the start of a life of battling for Scotlands independence for Wallace.
Wallace gathers an army and fights of the English at Stirling, and then continues to York where he takes over the Northern English castle. The battle scenes in the film are quite amazing, and the gore and bloodshed only help the gritty, realistic feel Gibson has given this film. From the battle scenes to the romance sequences Gibson really has done a superb job and has shown he can Direct action as well as anyone at the moment. I would go as far as to say the battle scenes are as energetic, exciting and well done as the action scenes in SPARTACUS and BEN HUR. But above all this, Gibson has a good grasp in this film of the spirit and romance we surround with the time. He is not afraid to let images and little dialogue tell the story, which is too often a mistake made by young directors. Two scenes early in the film prove this. At his father and brother's funeral, William is given a thistle by a young Morren and this is done with such beautiful and simple imagery it is quite breathtaking. Also, shortly after William stands outside at night with his uncle Argyle and sees people up by the graves with a piper, he asks what is going on. Argyle replies, "They're saying goodbye in their own way. Playing outlawed tunes on outlawed pipes." Gibson doesn't ram down your throat the fact that the King banned Pipes, but he uses it in a subtle way to show that the Scots are a proud race, and not beyond taking risk for their culture. Beautiful!!
Scenes like these are all the way through BRAVEHEART, and never let you realize the film is three hours long. The acting is very good throughout, and many of the supporting cast are as well written as primary characters in most other films. Gibson makes great use of slow-motion, and also keeps a great sense of humour in the film. I would be surprised if John Toll, last years Academy Award winner for Cinematography, is not up for the honors again this year. His work here is really gorgeous.
This film I highly recommend, and do not worry about the graphic violence, it is all in proper context.
Stephen Rafferty
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