Braveheart
December 2000 Reviewed by: Jeff Fritz Format: DVD	(all ratings out of 5): Overall Enjoyment Picture Quality Packaged Extras Sound Quality

The picturesque landscape of Scotland serves as the backdrop for the epic film Braveheart. The vast mountain ranges and rolling green valleys are fitting settings for one of the most ambitious films ever produced. William Wallace, played by Mel Gibson, is a common Scottish man forced into extraordinary circumstances when his people’s freedom is usurped, just before 1300 AD. Invaded and occupied by the hand of English King Edward I, better known as Edward "The Longshanks," Wallace fights to unite the Scottish clans to oppose English rule.

The story opens with young Wallace facing the murder of a number of Scottish nobles sent to negotiate with the English. As a curious child, he sneaks into the aftermath of a massacre only to be confronted with the corpse of a child that had been hanged from a rafter. His childhood innocence is dealt another blow by his father’s violent death at the hands of the English, a murder that leaves Wallace orphaned and forced to continue life under his Uncle’s guardianship.

The story re-opens and introduces a full-grown Wallace who appears to have a sharp intellect and a skillful sword. Although the Scottish are still at the mercy of the English, Wallace now wants only to concern himself with raising his family and tending to his crops. However, his quest to live a simple and peaceful life is crushed when an English soldier murders his wife.

Wallace avenges the death of his lovely bride with a vengeful assault on the English outpost responsible for the crime. This bold move, along with his intense passion to be free of the English tyranny, garners the support of the people. Wallace manages to inspire such intense patriotism that his people are willing to take up arms against the seemingly invincible force of the English.

The story chronicles the years spent at war, with both the English and his own greedy countrymen. His legend continues to grow as his passion for freedom intensifies. Throughout the film, large-scale battle scenes such as the battle at Falkirk, Glasgow, captivate the viewer. The war to liberate Scotland is portrayed in magnificent detail with some truly breathtaking battle scenes. These scenes, though the most difficult to portray are managed with skillful direction and clever filmmaking.

Patrick McGoohan fills the role of Edward the Longshanks in a manner that is every bit the emotional opposite of Gibson’s Wallace. The apparent battle of good versus evil is maintained until the very end, with Wallace becoming the ultimate martyr. The other players carry their roles equally well. As Wallace’s would-be mate, Catherine McCormack offers a terrific performance, as does Sophie Marceau, the oppressed wife of Edward’s cowardly son.

The picture quality of Braveheart is excellent, owing much to the rich colors of the Scottish landscape. The Scottish hills are realistic in scale and color without being overly saturated. The soundtrack composed by James Horner is powerful, and closely tracks the emotion and intensity of the film itself. A large-scale work, the musical score does have the difficult task of accompanying a roller coaster ride of emotions, which it does successfully. The surround effects are excellent as well, capturing nuances that will require several viewings to catch in their entirety. The packaged extras included with this disc are good, but limited. The interviews with Gibson are the most entertaining.

Braveheart on DVD is a must for anyone building a collection. It is a timeless and inspiring film, truly a classic. 

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