"Braveheart"

Title: "Braveheart"
Director: Mel Gibson
Producer: Mel Gibson, Alan Ladd Jr., Bruce Davey, and Stephen McEveety
Editing: Steven Rosenblum
Composer: James Horner
Starring:
- Mel Gibson as William Wallace
- Patrick McGoohan as King Edward I of England
- Angus Macfayden as Robert the Bruce
- Brendan Gleeson as Hamish Campbell

Plot and Critical Review: The first time I saw "Braveheart" (I rented it in 1999, as I recall) I didn't even finish the film but turned it off after the first 30 minutes for that portion of the first act was altogether too slow for me. Indeed, it is slow, but necessary for the development of the story. I was young and foolish then. I am still young and foolish, however, but have grown to love this film and to realize how important it is in the cinematic canon. As a general rule whenever you come upon a movie that is directed and stars the same person, either you're going to witness something catastrophically terrible (for how can a worn-out actor fulfill the demands of a director) or something truly wonderful. In the case of "Braveheart" we ought to be fortunate we come upon the latter.

In a way "Braveheart" is not at all unlike "The Patriot" in which Gibson also starred. They are both stories of men who have experienced the consequences of war first-hand. They also feature the uprising of rebellions formed to do battle with an oppressive dictator. Whether Gibson is fighting Edward I or the British the outcome is the same; people must die to achieve liberty. Making use of over 1,500 extras and shooting what many critics consider to be the most riveting and impressive battle scenes ever filmed, this movie takes us through the entire experience of war; the tensions that mount as the tide of battle approaches and the moments when grief and glory are shared when the dead are buried and the living rejoice.

Far from the field of battle is the tender romance shared between Wallace (Gibson) and Murron (Catherine McCormack, who is far more beautiful than we deserve to behold and enjoy). Their love is innocent, their passion fierce, and their dedication to one another endearing until the end. When Murron is killed (hope that doesn't spoil anything) Wallace's rage against the English is fueled all the more. If you are in need of a hero to do battle with the enemy, jeopardize his country and kill his wife. It ought not surprise us that so many films make use of the same formula in forging a truly heroic protagonist.

In response to his wife's murder Wallace gathers a group of villagers (who then join with other groups of enraged Scots) and begin a guerrilla war on the English. The King cannot believe that his outposts and garrisons are being overturned by simple villagers fighting with pitchforks and shovels. But they are winning, achieving great victory because they fight with their hearts on fire, seeking retribution and freedom with every blow delivered. It is only a matter of time, however, until England retaliates in full force with the might of its military reserves. Stories of mighty deeds and battles won spread. Soon Wallace becomes legendary in the sight of his people and many Scots flock to his aid. But it is all for nothing when Wallace is betrayed and his army loses the Battle of Falkirk.

Wallace meets with Princess Isabelle, daughter-in-law to Longshanks. She and Wallace share an intimate courtship and he is convinced that the only way to end the war raging between the Scots and English is to meet with the Scottish nobility. He does so believing that they will hear his words and act with wisdom. Instead he falls into a trap and is taken to London to face trial where he is convicted of high treason and sentenced to death. Wallace denies the charges, of course, for how can a man commit treason against an authority he doesn't recognize?! It is too late for our hero who is tortured, hung, and disemboweled. Wallace is offered a quick and merciful death if he will accept his guilt. Wallace signals that he would like to speak and with the final amount of strength available offers up one word: "Freedom!" He is beheaded.

The film ends with Robert the Bruce (whose father had betrayed Wallace) taking Scot troops into battle against the English. It's then, in the shadow of Wallace's sacrifice and the memory of his leadership, that Robert redeems himself and helps the Scots to win their freedom.

Winner of 5 Academy Awards (including Best Picture and Best Director) "Braveheart" is an absolute must-see.

My Rating: 9/10

The "Reel Revelation: "Freedom!" (What else could I justly title it?!)

One Question.

1) What is freedom?

So, what is freedom to you? Think deeply on this, now. Don't rush ahead to an easy answer, even though it might be the right one. Here are a couple of thoughts on freedom:

"Everything that is really great and inspiring is created by the individual who can labor in freedom." - Albert Einstein

"Where the mind is without fear
Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high
Where knowledge is free
Where the world has not been broken up into fragments
By narrow domestic walls
Where words come out from the depth of truth
Where tireless striving stretches its arms towards perfection
Where the clear stream of reason has not lost its way
Into the dreary desert sand of dead habit
Where the mind is led forward by thee
Into ever-widening thought and action
Into that heaven of freedom, my Father, let my country awake." - Rabindranath Tagore

"If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." - Jesus

These are all good thoughts. Do any of them help you in defining what it is to be free or to live a life of freedom? I am only able to lead you to good ideas about freedom, but you must discover its true meaning for yourself.

William Wallace died for the freedom of his country and for all who would follow in his footsteps. Americans have died on this continent and abroad so that you and I can live in a society that stands upon principles of freedom and equality. In these trying times it is difficult to really believe that we live in a "free" country as so many are losing their livelihood and financial security. Is this freedom? Is this what our forefathers intended when they determined our rights? Perhaps you've come to the same conclusion I've reached in my own mind; the freedom I (we) want cannot be given to us by the world.

When I think of freedom my vision is that of open plains, sunshine in the morning, warm afternoons and cool evenings. It's a vision of life that goes on forever and is uninhibited by the obstacles and pitfalls of this world. How can I achieve this freedom but through God? It cannot be done.

Like Advent, Lent is a season of expectation. In Advent we looked forward to the birth of Jesus with great joy. In Lent our spirits tremble at the thought of Jesus' death. Try to put yourself in the place of the people who lived before the birth and death of Our Lord. Think of the great spiritual freedom promised them by God, the freedom they longed for, prayed for, waited for, and hoped for with every breath. That we would long for freedom the same way they did, and long for the sort of freedom that grants more than financial security, more than peace, and far more than the rights promised by our country. They knew then as we should know now that freedom is not a liberty that allows a person to do one thing or another, like a permission slip for life.

Let us pray for the freedom of God to reign in our world, the freedom that goes before God's Kingdom. Indeed, the freedom bought for us by the death and resurrection of Jesus.

See you Monday- E.T.