Braveheart (1995)
When heart matters more than historical accuracy.
Presentation:
Mel Gibson directs and stars in his interpretation of Scotland’s rebellion from British tyranny. It’s a 3 hour epic in every sense of the genre with fantastic costumes and lush scenery. The sheer scale of soldiers in each frame is impressive just slightly below the medieval armored battles of Lord of the Rings, but does have many unique things going for it. The film is more centered around a singular character and Gibson portrays a charismatic Scotsman. At times it can be melodramatic exuding many creative liberties, but if you don’t care for historical accuracy it’s still an extremely thrilling fight for freedom. The landscapes are expansive mixed with war and action sequences deliver a very impressionable experience.
Conclusion:
This is a genuinely fantastic movie experience only hindered by it’s depiction of real events. Very little is accurate but the only reason you’d care is because it’s surprisingly a compelling story you’ll invest in. It’s very hard not to root for the Scots and Wallace because the odds are never in his favor, combined with a nuanced plot that doesn’t follow traditional formulas make this a refreshing story. It’s not perfect with some strange artistic choices making you constantly question how much is historical and how much is dramatized but that demonstrates how moving the characters make us feel. One of the best sword epics edging it out over Gladiator and Troy and still relevant in 2025.
Recommendations
The death of Miyazaki’s Studio Ghibli.