"Bucket List" Quality

Rating: 10/10 (20 February 2019)

Braveheart is a classic film that should be on everyone's "Must Watch Before I Die" list. This movie is based on the true story of Sir William Wallace, a Scot who lived in the 13th century and was known to his countrymen as a national hero. Wallace's legacy lives on to this day for leading a successful rebellion that freed Scotland from England's tyrannical hold.
At its core, Braveheart is a commentary on the ideal leader. Among other rulers such as King Longshanks, the prince, and Robert the Bruce, Wallace stands out as the type of leader most anyone would want. While he exemplifies admirable qualities such as strength, courage, and intelligence, what makes him so compelling of a leader is his unequivocal righteousness. He considers freedom to be of the utmost importance and fights to restore the power of the people, even at the cost of his own life.
William Wallace displays this virtue best during a particular battle scene where he comes to the aid of other villagers trying to batter down an English city. Wallace and the rest of the army surround the site as several men crash a battering ram into main entrance of one of England's greatest strongholds. Despite their strength and determination, soldiers defending the base try to stamp out the threat by raining arrows upon the men, every so often piercing a man and ultimately weakening the whole group. While it seems that perhaps the villagers might be able to prevail, the soldiers then pour out a vat of boiling tar onto the men down below and take out nearly half of them. In that moment, William realizes the dire fate of his attack plan with so many men having been lost and decides that he himself should join in on the action. He shouts a resilient "come on!" to the men beside him and runs straight into the chaos with no hesitation whatsoever. He then takes a position right at the front of the ram, all the while crying out encouragements to his men. Not only does he come to his men's aid, but he also lifts their spirits during that crucial time and gets them reinvigorated to complete the invasion. Wallace's decision to enter the fray reveals how truly devoted he is to the cause of freeing his people and also shows how he does not prioritize his life above those of the other citizens due to his status as a revered leader. Mel Gibson, the man who plays Wallace and who also happens to be the director of the movie, really fits the image of the original Scottish hero; he has a bit of a rough face with clear blues eyes and a wild head of hair on top. His weathered appearance allows him to blend in with the rest of the villagers, but his blue eyes mark his as someone who sees good and truth.
In contrast to Wallace's heroic actions, King Longshanks holds no appeal as a leader. The King is a rotten, selfish man who considers his wants and needs above everyone else's. He believes that people are expendable and that no one should stand between him and power. One instance in which King Longshanks demonstrates his utter self-centeredness happens when the English and the villagers face off in battle. William Wallace stands at the forefront of his men, whereas the King commands his troops from the back of the army. The King orders his foot soldiers to proceed forward to meet the villagers halfway, where the fight begins. Once the men have engaged in battle for a period of time, the King notices that his men are starting to weaken, and a sense of defeat creep up amongst him and his personal advisors. Fearful that the villagers will win, he orders for his archers to shoot arrows into the skirmish at the risk of hitting his own men. His endless pursuit of self-preservation blinds him from realizing the inhumanity that has taken over his heart. The King shows no care of that whatsoever, wearing a perpetually stony expression that underscores his brutal apathy. Actor Patrick McGoohan does a fantastic job of maintaining this cool aloofness to inspire within the audience a desire for the Wallace to prevail just for the sake of seeing that mask fall.
Though I would give caution to anyone with a distaste for gore, I recommend this movie to all history buffs, action enthusiasts, and people who just love a good underdog story. Though the historical aspects of the movie are an integral part to the film, the story itself is a timeless tale of an everyday hero that anyone can get behind. My dad has always claimed that this movie is his all-time favorite, and now I've seen why: Braveheart tells the tale of the epitome of a righteous character that resonates with the leader in us all, encouraging us to stand up for what we believe in in spite of what others may say.