Top-notch work from Mel Gibson; a truly moving film

Rating: 9/10 (20 September 2013)

It's only Mel's second time at the helm, and he goes and knocks this baby outta the park.
I'm no Scot, but Gibson convinced me he was. And I dare say he (and the terrific script) make William Wallace one of the cinematic greats. Longshanks is a grade-A son-of-a-bitch, played with sinister glee by Patrick McGoohan. Even Sophie Marceau holds her own here.
Everything about "Braveheart" is incredibly well-done; the righteous battle scenes (thoroughly gripping and just violent enough), the cinematography, the writing, directing, acting ... all of it. It even features possibly the most heartbreaking torture scene I've ever seen. And all of this is set to a supremely heartfelt and rousing score.
And despite its 3-hour running time, "Braveheart" is never boring. My only regret is waiting almost twenty years to finally see it.
9/10