Although it may not be totally historically accurate, Mel Gibson’s Braveheart remains a great film and looks incredible on Blu-ray. The film is a perfect mixture of romance, historical drama, and gut-spilling action.
Released to Blu-ray as part of a Paramount’s Sapphire Series, Braveheart comes to the format loaded with special features that take a look at the making of the film, the history of the story, and commentary from Gibson. New special features include three interactive timelines; new interviews with cast and crew discussing the impact of the film, and and a look at Smithfield: Medieval Killing Fields.
Along with Gibson (who also handled directing duties), Braveheart stars Catherine McCormack, Patrick McGoohan, Sophie Marceau, Brian Cox, Peter Hanly, Angus Macfadyen, Brendan Gleeson, Tommy Flanagan and David O'Hara. The film was written by Randall Wallace with John Toll handling cinematography duties and beautiful music from James Horner.
I give Horner and Toll special mention due to the level of detail and sound that the Braveheart Blu-ray brings to the film. Toll’s work is simply amazing at times and Horner’s music becomes just as important to the film as some of its characters.
Although I haven't seen it, I’ve heard that the Blu-ray release of the Sapphire Series of Gladiator was a bit of a disappointment due to transfer not looking as good as you would expect.
Braveheart does not suffer from this problem and looks simply incredible. The quality picture allows you to pick up subtle details to the film (such as weave patterns in costuming and textures to the battle scenes), and while these details don't change the overall enjoyment of the film, it does make it a richer experience.
The story of Braveheart and the action of the film continue to be able to grab your attention and hold it for the entire length of the film. It has a little of something for everyone. The beginning romance between William Wallace (Gibson) and his true love Murron MacClannough (McCormack) will make women's hearts swoon and doesn't come across as cheesy - even after multiple views.
Gibson and company do an excellent job of selling the characters’ undying love for each other and how his Murron MacClannough's death cuts deep into his soul.
This is mostly due to Gibson's incredible screen presence and his natural charm with the character. Braveheart is a love story and that love can be clearly felt in the opening segments of the film - where an adult Wallace returns and claims his bride through sentimental moments and boyish gestures meant to impress.
With a marriage that is forced to be held in secret due to the decree from Longshanks, King Edward I (McGoohan) concerning “first rights”, the love story has a forbidden classic feel to it that adds to the film’s epic scope.
After MacClannough's death, the film becomes an action junkie’s dream. Wallace rides into camp to claim the lives of those responsible for her death, and the entire film takes on a dark, violent, and gritty feeling that will carry it until the closing act.
Spurred by his victory, Wallace and company go to war with Longshanks and England. The film mixes revenge with politics as Wallace has to survive on the battlefield and move his way through Scotland’s Earls to find the support he needs to continue his war.
McGoohan is the perfect screen villain for the film and gives the audience a reason to hate the king as much as Wallace does. The actor walks a fine line between camp and brilliance in his line delivery and the way he carries himself. At the same time, he seems pure evil at different points of the film – throwing people out castle windows one minute and sending his daughter-in-law Princess Isabelle (Marceau) to deal with a deadly Wallace the next.
With Gibson’s Wallace set up as the film’s epic hero, Braveheart needed an epic villain for him to clash with and McGoohan delivered it in spades.
Although the second half of the film stays pretty grounded in the action and epic battle scenes (some of the best shot on film), Braveheart also continues to blend in elements of romance through Wallace’s interactions with Princess Isabelle.
The film also has a great deal of humor thanks to Wallace’s relationship with his fellow soldiers and friends – particularly O'Hara's Stephen, the Irish fighter, and Gleeson's Hamish Campbell. The two actors deliver some much needed light moments to the film, but make sure those moments seem perfectly natural to their characters.
The film also even manages to take on a bit of a Biblical feel towards the end as Wallace is betrayed, delivered to the English and tortured before the crowd. Again, the film never seems forced or heavy-handed – even after multiple viewings.
The Sapphire Series of Braveheart on Blu-ray is well-worth picking up and gives the film the feeling of watching it for the first time. The picture simply looks incredible with all kinds of details brought to sharp definition (this sometimes distracts during the brutal battle scenes where some effects no longer look as good).
If you already own Braveheart, the Blu-ray release is well-worth the double-dip. If you have never purchased the film, this is the version you will want to pick up for your film collection.
Braveheart [Blu-ray] is now available at Amazon . Visit the DVD database for more information.
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