Good Focused Film

Rating: 9/10 (2 October 2013)

The makers of the film took their history books and carefully tossed them aside so that Mel Gibson could have a free hand to portray a completely virtuous William Wallace and his struggle against the English. Despite this "black and white" approach to history, it is still a highly enjoyable film.
The film has great scenes, with majestic shots of the Scottish highlands and sweeping battlefields, castles and towns and an appropriate score to match. The film is well- cast, led by Mel Gibson, who is energetic as William Wallace and handles the action, speeches and drama well. My favorite performance is from Patrick McGoohan, who revels in being despicable to the Scottish and his meek son as King Edward Longshanks. Angus Macfadyen brings out an interesting character in Robert the Bruce. The rest of the cast is solid as well from both the Scottish and English camps.
The story is paced nicely, first focusing on developments in character and then proceeding quickly into action. There are a number of interesting turns in the story along the way. This film is also notable for its large scale epic battle scenes, which are well-staged. "Braveheart" is not history, but it is still an engaging film about a struggle for independence in the Middle Ages.