When actors take the leap from focusing solely on acting to exploring the art of directing, it can be a very precarious situation. Directing a film is a different skill set that can take quite a bit of time and effort to do well, and there are many examples of vanity projects that turned into spectacular failures. In the 1990s, actors seemed to be on a bit of a hot streak as movies helmed by stars such as Dances With Wolves, The Prince of Tides and Unforgiven made waves at the box office, as well as the Academy Awards. One of the finest examples of this was the second directorial feature from Mel Gibson, Braveheart. Gibson was box office gold as an actor at the time, but no one would have predicted that he would make a film of such a scale that would win him an Academy Award for Best Director and Best Picture. Twenty-five years later, the film continues to be as awe-inspiring as ever.
Braveheart tells a factually dubious account of the life of William Wallace (Mel Gibson), a late 13th-century Scottish warrior who led his people against King Edward I of England (Patrick McGoohan) in a fight for independence. It is in 1280 when a young William Wallace loses his family as King Edward invades Scotland following the death of the King of the Scots. Wallace is educated as he travels throughout Europe with his uncle Argyle (Brian Cox) until his return to his homeland as an adult. He returns to a Scotland that is being subjugated more and more through vicious new policies from the King. The lone bright spot during this time is the love he finds with his childhood friend, Murron (Catherine McCormack). The secret love between the two is touching and is given the proper attention to get the audience invested. After tragedy strikes on account of English soldiers, Wallace is inspired to help Scotland reclaim its freedom by any means necessary.
The latter half of the film is where we get to the myth-making portion of the story. What begins as a simple village rebellion snowballs into a full-blow revolt as Scottish countrymen are inspired by the actions of Wallace. The Scots score an unexpected victory in the Battle of Stirling when Wallace shows up with multiple clans to help rally the forces. A rousing, iconic speech leads into one of the most intense, interesting battles to be put to film. Gibson expertly stages this with a ferociousness that lets you feel every blade, as if you are part of the action. This was still during the time where movies would use thousands of extras, and the full scale of the assault is felt because of this. Following this, Wallace hopes he can get assistance from Robert the Bruce (Angus Macfadyen), a contender for the Scottish crown who is under the thumb of his nobleman father, Robert the Elder (Ian Bannen). The clear path to independence is not always so easy to follow when the road is littered with scared, greedy men who are only concerned with their own self interests. The intrigue brought on by these double crosses and power grabs can be both thrilling and disheartening at the same time.
Braveheart clocks in at just less than three hours in length, but it never feels like it due to the expert pacing. The film features a lot of scenes of political maneuvering and scheming, but it does a great job of never making the audience feel lost. There are moments of romance, action and intrigue that offer up a little something for everyone. There is a romantic subplot in the last third of the film that does not quite work, but other than this there are very few missteps. There is more than one epic battle in the film that will stick with you for a very long time. Gibson reportedly had to cut some bloody footage to keep the film from getting an NC-17 rating, but what we do get is still extremely intense. Gibson couples his excellent directing duties with a standout performance as Wallace. These days, he has essentially been exiled from mainstream culture due reprehensible behavior, but when you see his performances from before you understand why he was a star. The rest of the supporting cast turn in performances of the highest caliber. The actions of Wallace in the film could rightfully be debated by historians concerning its accuracy, but, as a piece of entertainment, it works on every level. Adult dramas of this scale are few and far between these days, which makes it all the more important to return to these classic films and marvel at the impressive achievement they were.
Video Quality
This Steelbook version of the film utilizes the exact same discs present in the previously released 4K UHD Blu-Ray. Braveheart comes to 4K UHD Blu-Ray in a dazzling presentation that is sure to please fans of the film. The clarity present on this transfer is excellent while maintaining the beautiful filmic qualities. There is a vast amount of textural details from the caked-on mud and face paint of warriors to subtle details on costumes and armor. Skin tones are natural and showcase facial hair and pores in great detail. Colors are bold from the crimson blood to the blue face paint to the green of the grass and forests, even under the overcast Scottish skies. Black levels are deep and provide solid outlines even in the darkest scenes. Compression artifacts appear to be nonexistent, as well as other pesky digital anomalies. This is a top-notch transfer from Paramount Pictures Home Entertainment.
Audio Quality
This disc provides the film with a Dolby Atmos track that is a real knockout. You feel a real sense of space while listening to the movie from the subtle sounds of the wind blowing to bugs floating by. Directionality is perfect in this mix as all the sounds are appropriately placed around the room. Dialogue comes through crystal clear without being stepped on by the sound effects or the soaring score from James Horner. Speaking of, the score truly fills the room with its triumphant sound in a way that elegantly complements the film. Battle scenes are appropriately active with the clanging of swords echoing through the room and guttural yells coming from the combatants. There is some very nice activity in the low end that should make your subwoofer feel loved. This is a well-balanced track that lovingly showcases the film in the best way possible.
Special Features
The reason for this new release is to get the film in a sleek new Steelbook that is truly stunning in person. The front artwork depicts William Wallace in his iconic face paint lifting his sword up against the backdrop of a battle, and the rear features his sword planted in the battlefield. The interior features the most iconic quote from the film above another shot of a battle. Photos of the Steelbook can be found at the end of this review.
- Audio Commentary: Director and star Mel Gibson provides a straightforward, informative track that does not fill every moment of the runtime, but remains worthwhile based on what he shares from the production of the film.
- Braveheart Timelines: Three interactive timelines are provided for viewers to thumb though including the factual history of William Wallace, the fictionalized action present in the film, and the production timeline. The knowledge gained here is very worthwhile.
- Battlefields of The Scottish Rebellion: An interactive map that allows the viewer to gain greater insight into the real-life milestones in Wallace’s life including the Battle of Stirling Bridge in 1297, the Battle of Falkirk in 1298, William Wallace’s capture in 1305, and the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314. The Battles of Bannockburn and Falkirk are accompanied by animated maps that layout the events in great detail while accompanied by narration from James H. Brinkley. This is a fun one for history buffs.
- Braveheart – A Look Back: An hour-long look at the film with the cast and crew that is divided into three sections: A Company of Equals, The Sound of Laughter, and The Measure of a Film. There are a lot of funny and interesting anecdotes from the making of the film, especially shooting the battle sequences. There’s also a focus on Gibson as a director and the enduring legacy of the film. This is a wealth of information that is worth digging into.
- Smithfield – Medieval Killing Fields: A 25-minute look at the historically bloody town of Smithfield within the context of the film, as well as how it has evolved into a lovely place in modern times. The input from those outside the film, including historians and religious leaders, provides some fascinating insights.
- Tales of William Wallace: A 30-minute dive into the real William Wallace that helps sort out some of the fact from fiction. This resembles something you would find on the History Channel.
- A Writer’s Journey: A nearly 22-minute featurette focusing on writer Randall Wallace and his journey to writing this story of William Wallace. This involved Randall embracing an interest in his heritage and unearthing stories lost to history. The piece also delves into his collaboration with Gibson and his relationship with historical accuracy when it comes to writing scripts.
- Theatrical Trailers: Two theatrical trailers are provided here that give a really strong overview of the feeling of the film without spoiling all of the good bits.
Final Thoughts
Braveheart can be dinged for historical inaccuracy, but it is incredibly entertaining without fail for its nearly three-hour runtime. Mel Gibson impresses both in front of the camera, as well as behind, in this Best Picture winner. The intricately crafted battle sequences are worth the price of admission alone. Paramount Pictures Home Entertainment has released a gorgeous new Steelbook that includes a 4K UHD disc with a standout A/V presentation and worthwhile extras. Those who do not yet have this in their collection will find this package extremely worthwhile. Highly Recommended
Braveheart (Steelbook Edition) is currently available to purchase on 4K UHD Blu-Ray.
Note: Images presented in this review are not reflective of the image quality of the 4K UHD Blu-Ray.
Disclaimer: Paramount Pictures Home Entertainment has supplied a copy of this disc free of charge for review purposes. All opinions in this review are the honest reactions of the author.
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Dillon is most comfortable sitting around in a theatre all day watching both big budget and independent movies.
