Greatest film EVER...on all accounts!!!

Rating: 10/10 (22 December 1999)

Braveheart is a film that has everything. From romance to action, to adventure to purely amazing drama, it has it all. This 3-hour-epic is brilliantly acted and directed by Mel Gibson. It is based on the actual events of how Scotland overcame English rule to achieve it's own independence with the strong leadership of William Wallace (played by Mel Gibson). It is also a great `David vs. Goliath' story that really happened!
Also helping achieve #1 status in my book, is the great score composed by James Horner. He gives the film a great feel in every moment and it really adds to this picture.
Braveheart also contains what is in my opinion the greatest film segment in movie history. The segment, which takes place almost at the very end of the film, is about 3 and a half minutes long and is marvelously done by Mel Gibson. The cut-aways that Gibson uses during this segment, combined with his great acting, and arguably the best score ever composed by James Horner, really makes this an incredible 210 seconds. Mel Gibson continually amazed me with his direction and brilliant acting throughout the movie (especially the well constructed battle scenes).
I look forward to seeing more films that are directed by him in the future, and HIGHLY recommend that anyone who hasn't seen this film to do so. Some have complained at the speed which Braveheart starts, and I fully understand this minor complaint, but I feel the first 20-25 minutes that people normally complain about is vital to setting up William Wallace's character, as well as the entire film. The fact that Mel Gibson (who won best director and Braveheart did win best picture) was overlooked for an Oscar nomination is beyond me.