Movie review - "Braveheart" (1995) ***1/2

Randall Wallace's screenplay has copped a lot over the years mostly because of its historical errors, which are admittedly irritating, but its also an excellent piece of writing, full of passion, sweep, action, romance and characters. It's easy to understand it's appeal to Mel Gibson, with its Christ like hero (well, he does bed two hot chicks but apart from that he matyrs himself for a cause and has disciples, etc), its opportunities for violent action sequences and negative depiction of gays (though could anyone really depict Edward II in a positive light?).

The main irritating historical errors are (a) making most of Wallace's men highlanders (b) the romance with Isabella who was only a child and living in France at the time (c) offering up excuses for all of Wallace's failures (he was beaten at Falkirk because of Scottish treachery and the English "cheated" by using a crossbow, he willingly goes to die) - but all have strong reasons (a) in order to distinguish them from the English (b) to give the story a bit of romance and to give a sense of triumph over Edward I (c) because Wallace is here a Hollywood hero. I think the story needed romance - and while yes its a bit silly to have Isabella father Wallace's child, the film does show Isabella to be capable of ruthlessness and cleverness, which is what she was. Also film is cleverer and more complex than most Hollywood blockbusters (its not quite Lawrence of Arabia but it is close): it shows how Edward I was a tough enemy (true), how Wallace had as much trouble from the Scots nobles as the English (true). The development of Robert the Bruce character is very satisfying and gives a real feeling of journey. Edward I died two years after Wallace, but that's not that long. England and Scotland had been at peace for most of the time prior to the rebellion, but Wallace would hype it in his speeches to the troops.

It's also notable how the film gets around a major problem: how to stick to the fact that Wallace died horribly (and you can't avoid that), but still be inspirational - well, by (a) using the Robert the Bruce story (b) inventing Isabella's pregnancy and (c) having him see vision of his dead wife (so effective it was later re-used in Gladiator). Very clever and a rousing film. Mel Gibson perhaps gives himself one too many closeups (and did Wallace have to be so invincible and such a stud?) but excellent support perfs from Patrick McGoohan (why didn't this revive his career more), Brendan Gleeson and two stunners in Catherine McCormack and Sophie Marceau.