Blood stirring, passionate film

Rating: 7/10 (26 March 2008)

Gibson's '95 block buster garnered five Academy Awards (from ten nominations) including best film, best director and best cinematography. I must agree that John Toll wields his camera with devastating effect, capturing some majestic Scottish countryside and breathing life (and much death) into some spectacularly choreographed battle scenes. However the other two awards I really find myself questioning.
Don't get me wrong here, "Braveheart" is a worthy piece of entertainment of epic proportions, but proportions aren't everything. Technically the film is near flawless, with Toll's superb camera work backed up by artistic and very realistic makeup, fantastic sound and sound effects (makeup and sound effects won Oscars), top notch editing, striking costumes, convincing art and another strong, inspiring score form military soundtrack master James Horner ("Aliens", "Glory" and "Apollo 13").
Gibson does direct with a purpose, setting out to make an epic, he gets almost everything right. Randall Wallace (any relation to the great William?) provides a sound screenplay, which seems to be quite historically accurate, even if it may take creative licence in the more private affairs of the mighty William Wallace. What screenwriter Randall does not do is allow us to really get into the head of the fearsome Scot, leaving us with only suggestions as to what motivated him. Lack of character depth, and therefore appreciation, can probably also be attributed to the absence of outstanding acting, which is the real reason "Braveheart" falls short of its enormous potential. A couple of knockout performances would have made this film an indelible memory, but alas none of the strong support cast (including Sophie Marceau, Patrick McGoohan, Catherine McCormack, Brenda Gleeson, Angus McFadyen, James Cosmo, David O'Hara, Peter Henly, James Robinson, Alun Armstrong and Ian Bannen) were able to turn in anything more than a 'thoroughly enjoyable'. And honestly, though we all love Mel with a passion, he's no' William Wallace, now is he? Gibson is always a pleasure on screen, and he does a good job with the accent, but I for one was never really convinced that this was the man who freed Scotland form the tyranny of English rule.
Having said all that, I would not hesitate to recommend "Braveheart" to all audiences who crave a blood stirring, passionate film, especially those who, like myself, have Scottish heritage. Do try and catch this at a repertory theatre. Not for the squeamish!
Monday, July 15, 1996 - Video