Speaks loudly on behalf of Love, Courage and Freedom! Undeniable Masterwork!

Rating: 10/10 (18 May 2007)

If we consider the most critical role of cinema, a lot of people say it is entertainment. Some people, however, claim that it is primarily education, something that does not become a lecture in itself but something that uplifts us, makes us better people, leads us to reflections on who we are, what our roles as humans are. And one of such films that, to the very core, addresses these horizons is BRAVEHEART, directed by Mel Gibson...perhaps not that popular name among many "noble men of modern times", yet someone who truly has something to offer to open minded viewers and to modern cinema. I loved this movie when I saw it for the first time and have admired it each time I have seen it since then. Why?
BRAVEHEART is, first of all, an amazing story of COURAGE and fight for FREEDOM:
What can be more moving, more appealing than this? Set in the Middle Ages, the character of Scotsman William Wallace may be interpreted at two different levels: he is a historic figure, on the one hand, who does not only talk about goodness for his nation but really fights for it to the last breath - he is a real hero in the historical meaning of this word; on the other hand, however, he is a universal representation of all men of courage, of all who dared say "no" to the tyranny, slavery, any sorts of humiliations, dignity deprivation, and, what is more... of all men who have been able to love someone else in truthfulness. Anyone who is straightforward may identify with Wallace, may say "Yeah, that is what I also feel nowadays..." Therefore, the content of BRAVEHEART is very touching, very up to date and makes it a real tribute to three major treasures of humanity: Love, Courage and Freedom. Yet, it appears that Freedom is step no. 1 among these three since "a free heart" opens the door for the rest. "...just one chance, to come back here and tell our enemies that they may take our lives, but they'll never take... OUR FREEDOM." "Freedom' is the word that Wallace shouts out desperately not only before battle of Stirling but just before his death - an undeniably powerful moment that you will never forget.
BRAVEHEART is a real masterwork of epic productions:
This aspect concerns both visual effectiveness, including battle scenes, locations, cinematography, historical accuracy, and performances. The movie is filled with such profoundly subtle pictures that they are impossible not to leave any trace in the viewer. Battles (Stirling and Falkirk) are realistic, very brutal but this brutality emphasizes psychology of "wicked enemy." It is not brutality just for its sake. Gentle scenes of peaceful locations go in pairs with affections to the nation, they make us realize why Wallace fights so indefatigably. The opening sequence is a must see in this aspect. Moreover, costumes and all historical factors make BRAVEHEART a fabulous epic, one of the best in its genre. However, it would be nothing without performances and there is really much to praise here. Gibson reaches "the impossible" giving a truly charismatic performance in the lead. Consider, for instance, his face expressions throughout the film. Really an Oscar worthy acting! Analysing other Scotsmen's roles first, I loved Brendan Gleeson as characteristic Hamish Campbell and Catherine McCormack as gentle dreamlike Murron. Other top notch acting include Sophie Marceau as merciful and wise Princess Isabelle (representing Gibson's idea of woman) and Patrick McGoohan as Longshanks, King Edward I, seemingly the most ruthless king ever to sit on the throne of England.
BRAVEHEART is the demonstration of the director's viewpoints:
What would be a movie if it weren't affected by the thoughts of the director, that is what he/she conveys in the message. Mel Gibson, here, shows a wonderful image of what it means to be a Man, what it means to be loyal, what it means to be noble in the true meaning of this word. Like in his later movies, he makes a clear contrast between simple men who live their lives in truthful patriotism and court "peacocks" and "nobility" who rather look for more riches than care for the nation. The symbolic leprosy of Robert's father draws our attention on the rotten decadence of materialism and immoral search for power by all means. For Robert's father "All men betray. All lose heart" however for Wallace "slaves are made in such ways." Another point where the director demonstrates his viewpoints is young Wallace's relation with his father, Father as someone who teaches to live, who knows that his son can fight but that it is the wits that make the boy a real man.
BRAVEHEART is, finally, one great emotion:
It is really unusual to watch such a long movie and be filled with emotions at almost every single scene. That proves an exceptional respect that Gibson has to the characters he presents as well as the viewers. There is a true development of characters, a true possibility to feel what they feel. A clear picture of what a person is like. Perhaps, some people would have doubts that if Longshanks is bad, he is wicked throughout or Wallace good, he is noble throughout. But what touched me here is the moment of their deaths when the contrary values they lived for are revealed. This is the scene when everyone would probably agree with Wallace that "Every man dies, not every man really lives"
BRAVEHEART is one of the very best films that have ever been made, truly great among the greatest in spectacular, psychological and artistic sense. Gibson, by making this movie, provided himself a place in the history of cinema and spoke loudly on behalf of precious aspects of humanity. BRAVEHEART will be watched as long as there are people who will understand what it means to fight for something one loves. 10/10