Wildly Entertaining

Rating: 9/10 (3 February 2020)

I know this film has its flaws. Sure, some of the accents are bad due to the lack of actual Scottish actors, and it's historically inaccurate, but every time I watch this I always end up feeling thoroughly entertained. Mel Gibson said on the director's commentary that films are made first to entertain, then teach, then inspire. I couldn't agree more, it's a far more rewarding outlook on films. He put everything into this, and it shows. I remember the battle of Stirling scene being the first time I had ever seen a large scale battle played out realistically on screen, using no computers, just lots of extras. It's immense and is a fine example of directing skills. Gibson himself plays the part really well physically, but in terms of excellent acting, Patrick McGoohan stands head and shoulders above everyone. His portrayal of the tyrannical villain is brilliant. I also believe that James Horner's instantly recognisable score rounds out the film perfectly. Uilleann pipes have an incredible sound and can invoke a great sense of rebellion and courage, which suits nicely