A rare great film

Rating: 10/10 (13 June 2005)

It isn't often that a masterpiece emerges on the silver screen and even less often that it is directed by an American, but happily Mel Gibson's 'Braveheart' is one of them.
It's basically a rip-snorting yarn about factual events in 13th century Scotland. Along with the blood and guts, realistically but not obnoxiously nauseating, is a stirring story of integrity and love. What makes this bit of history so fascinating is to also know the story of Edward II, the Prince of Wales in this film, and his Queen, Isabelle, a princess of France who later took hold of the reigns during Edward II's feeble reign. Remember, he's the one who died by having a red-hot iron inserted in his rear-end. A fitting, if extreme, conclusion to his life. Marlowe's play presents Edward II as some kind of victim of a conspiracy, which is true up to a point, but he was also a very corrupt and irresponsible monarch who needed to be removed. Those were rough times indeed.
The comparison between Tilda Swinton's Queen Isabelle in Jarman's film 'Edward II' and Sophie Morceau's Princess is telling. I was left thinking that she was a woman starved for love and affection in a court of ruthless betrayal and cold-heartedness. There is much food for thought of this nature in 'Braveheart.'
Mel Gibson is superb as William Wallace, the great Scots hero who died horribly at the hands of English torturers. The supporting cast is equal to Gibson's intensity.
This film was so good I didn't even notice the score or cinematography or editing... but all technical aspects are very fine. Maudlin sentimentality is also avoided; this film could have been a real wallow in lesser hands and would have lost a great deal of its impact as a result.
The makers of more recent epics like 'Alexander' and 'Troy' could learn a much by studying Gibson's film. Those recent duds pale into insignificance by comparison with this spectacular film.
Buy it!