Did not deserve 5 Oscars

Rating: 4/10 (17 November 2005)

Robert the Bruce is a Scottish hero and it was he, not Wallace, who really broke the shackles of English rule. I cannot see the film-makers logic in having him cowering in the shadows when anything happens. Artisitc licence is one thing but this is Hollywood, once again, trying to re-write history.
Patrick Mcgoohan's performance is one of the few saving graces. He is one of the best on screen villains I have seen, both for his own acting and through the dialogue of the character.
Peter Hanly is also excellent as Edward's cowardly son, Sophie Marceau smoulders in the background and David O'Hara almost steals the show as the hysterically funny, but once again historically inaccurate, King Stephen.
Mel Gibson is extraordinarily annoying as Wallace. The accent is bad and has rarely been considered as much of an actor anyway. Another problem came from the lacklustre acting of the extras (all Scots) who somehow managed to look bored at a re-creation of some of the most famous battles in our history.
The backdrops and scenery are beautiful and the battle scenes are superbly directed but the rest of the film is a little flat. Gibson fails to occupy the centre of the screen and the extras do nothing to enhance the experience. The rest of the supporting cast do fine jobs, eclipsing the movie's lead actor. 'Braveheart' is fine for arousing the nationalism of drunk sports fans but leaves the serious film goer wanting more.