Braveheart (Special Collector's Edition) | 
| Director: Mel Gibson
Actors: Mel Gibson, Sophie Marceau, Patrick Mcgoohan
Studio: Paramount
Category: DVD
List Price: $17.49
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Avg. Customer Rating:  848 reviews
Sales Rank: 1166
Format: Ntsc
Languages: English (Original Language), English (Subtitled), Spanish (Subtitled), French (Subtitled)
Rating: R (Restricted)
Running Time: 177
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1
Dimensions (in): 7.5 x 5.4 x 0.7
MPN: PARD131394D
UPC: 097361313948
EAN: 0097361313948
ASIN: B000W8OM5Y
Theatrical Release Date: May 24, 1995
Release Date: December 18, 2007
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Product Description
Studio: Paramount Home Video Release Date: 12/18/2007 Run time: 177 minutes Rating: R
Amazon.com essential video
Mel Gibson's Oscar-winning 1995 Braveheart is an impassioned epic about William Wallace, the 13th-century Scottish leader of a popular revolt against England's tyrannical Edward I (Patrick McGoohan). Gibson cannily plays Wallace as a man trying to stay out of history's way until events force his hand, an attribute that instantly resonates with several of the actor's best-known roles, especially Mad Max. The subsequent camaraderie and courage Wallace shares in the field with fellow warriors is pure enough and inspiring enough to bring envy to a viewer, and even as things go wrong for Wallace in the second half, the film does not easily cave in to a somber tone. One of the most impressive elements is the originality with which Gibson films battle scenes, featuring hundreds of extras wielding medieval weapons. After Eisenstein's Alexander Nevsky, Orson Welles's Chimes at Midnight, and even Kenneth Branagh's Henry V, you might think there is little new that could be done in creating scenes of ancient combat; yet Gibson does it. --Tom Keogh
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| Customer Reviews: Read 843 more reviews...
 great entertainment November 12, 2008
Notwithstanding historical inaccuracies (and there are many), this was great entertainment. I usually watch a DVD at home over the course of 2-3 nights, but I could not turn this one off, and watched the whole thing (nearly 3 hours) in one sitting. Such a great story and wonderful acting, scenery, etc.
 Movie Review for English Class November 11, 2008
Critique of Braveheart
Mel Gibson's Braveheart is an epic film that brings to life the struggle of the thirteenth century Scotts. The people of Scotland rallied behind a brave man, William Wallace (Mel Gibson), to try and gain their freedom from the English. The film is filled with combat, strong will, love, and even a little humor. Not only is the story line unforgettable but also the cinematography and details of the movie are impeccable. The acting and scripting are masterful. The special effects utilized in the battle scenes are extremely graphic although very well done. Braveheart won countless awards in 1996, the most prestigious being Best Picture and Best Director at the Oscars. Mel Gibson was not only the leading role in this film, but also the director and the producer. Braveheart is not for those faint of heart yet many would enjoy the energy and excitement of the battlefield because the movie was made skillfully.
Throughout the entire film the cinematography plays an important role. Even at the very beginning when the camera soars over the green hills, the audience begins to appreciate the wondrous land of Scotland. The land is green and untouched by modernity, which is perfect for the setting of the story. Scottish bagpipes play in the background as the camera dips and dives over the vast mountain ranges. All this beauty is one of the reasons why the Scotts fight so vehemently to protect their heritage and homes and freedom.
The camera also plays an important role portraying the characters' emotions. It slows down and zooms into the actors' faces so that the audience is able to see the pain, love, or sadness. Mel Gibson did a wonderful job selecting actors for his movie. The actors he chose are so good that one can truly see the emotions running through their minds in their eyes. The suburb acting is what makes this movie extraordinary. Mel Gibson, in addition to his good looks, does an amazing job as Scottish rebel leader William Wallace. Not only does he inspire the loyalty of his troops with his speeches, but the audience is motivated as well. Wallace's two chief lieutenants, played by Brendan Gleeson and David O'Hara provide a much needed humorous break to the constant fighting.
Strong actresses play both of the women that capture Wallace's love. Catherine McCormack performs the role of Wallace's wife and true love, Murron. The beautiful Sophie Marceau portrays Princess Isabelle. Both of these characters are women of strong will, especially for the time period. Murron's affection for Wallace is tangible in the genuine way she looks at him and her devotion to marry him in secret. She takes a huge risk by defying the English's barbaric orders to bed a bride on the first night of her union. McCormack does an amazing job showing the sincerity and purity of that love. Their relationship, unfortunately, ends in tragedy, which in turns fuels Wallace's (Gibson) fire for revenge on the English. This event signifies the start of a revolt led by Wallace.
The thirteenth century style of fighting was hand-to-hand combat; as a result, the battle scenes are extremely graphic. One can see limbs and heads chopped off, throats slit, and of course all the blood is included. This movie is not for those who go faint at the sight of blood. However, the special effects are done exceptionally well. Many horses were also used in the battle scenes. Using animals is difficult but it gives the movie a feeling of authenticity. In addition, thousands of extras were used in the battle scenes as well as peasants in the villages. The droves of soldiers are well organized just as a true army would be. As one the English archers send a rain of arrows on the Scottish, which demonstrates the superb directing abilities of Gibson.
I have only a few negative critiques of this film. The first is the length of the movie. The film runs two hours and fifty-nine minutes. The film does a good job keeping the attention of the audience, yet at the end one starts to loose interest. It is one battle too many. One becomes dull to all the gory fighting and it does not stir up the same feelings of suspense that the earlier ones did. However, the film finishes strongly with the scene of Wallace's execution. Wallace courageously screams "freedom" despite torture and imminent death. Secondly, it is difficult to follow the historical events and players the first time watching Braveheart. There are many different noblemen both Scottish and English to keep track of. This becomes easier with the subsequent viewings.
Braveheart, a memorable film, connects the audience to the struggle of the thirteenth century Scotts for freedom. The leader of the revolt, William Wallace (Gibson), inspires the viewers as well as the discontented Scottish clans to his cause, freedom. This film has strong themes of love, self-determination, and fortitude. The skill of the cinematographers and actors is remarkable and takes this movie to the award-winning level.
Works Cited
James, Caryn. "FILM REVIEW: BRAVEHEART; The Splashy Epic Finds New Life in the 13th Century". The New York Times. February 2, 2008 [...]
Reed Business Information. "Braveheart Movie Review". Variety 100. February 2, 2008 [...]
Historically inaccurate, but I don't care . . . November 6, 2008
If I were to study about William Wallace, I wouldn't do it with Mel Gibson's classic "Braveheart"; I would go to the library to do it. The film is filled with historical inaccuracies, like Stirling Bridge and the Battle at York. But that's because this is based on the LEGEND of Wallace, and not history.
But anyway, this is my second favorite film from director Mel Gibson, only behind the more recent Apocalypto. It's in the grand-scale epic tradition: it's more than three hours long, it has intense battle sequences, it has a cold and heartless villain, etc. What I love most about this film are the battle scenes. The skirmish at Wallace's home, and the chaotic confrontation at Stirling, York, and Falkirk are bloody and gory and ultimately brutal. I won't tell you how brutal the action is, but I can tell you that they are some of the greatest captured on film. Sure, "Gladiator" had some gore, too, but this one takes the cake for me.
The acting may be a bit exaggerated in some scenes, but it sure fits in the epic genre. I don't think I can find a better actor who can play William Wallace than Gibson himself. His Scottish accent is almost perfect, and the way he encourages the Scottish to fight for their freedom is just amazing. Patrick McGoohan plays Edward the Longshanks, the king who would most love to hate. He's got the cold personality down perfectly. Sophie Marceau is enchanting as Princess Isabelle, a woman who is not really loved by her husband. Catherine McCormack as William's love, Murron, is also beautiful and lights up the screen when she's with Wallace. Angus McFayden as Robert the Bruce gives out a great performance as he starts to see why Wallace is fighting for freedom. The supporting cast (O'Hara as Stephen, Gleeson as Hamish, Cosmo as Campbell the Elder) play their parts splendidly.
I can tolerate the movie "300" for its fantastic visuals, but not for its incredibly inaccurate history. But I tolerate "Braveheart" more because it's one film that I grew up with. Both films are about freedom, and both handle the main theme very well. But I prefer "Braveheart".
A-
Excellent! November 2, 2008
I have to say Braveheart is a most own for any man. If you dont own this you should!
Braveheart - historical fiction for the future October 24, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Braveheart, despite some historical inaccuracies, is a high quality movie with much more than simple entertainment value. It belongs in everyone's library, not only because it should be considered a cimematic classic, but because it imparts important cultural, political, and western sociological tenets which must not be forgotten by our modern 'take it for granted' culture. The lessons of history must not be forgotten lest we find ourselves doomed to repeat them. Mel Gibson's Braveheart is an excellent vehicle to impart these lessons. It's violent and bloody, it's romantic, it's realistic enough to make one sit up and pay attention. If you haven't seen it, do so. If you have but don't own a copy, buy one and watch it several more times. Our future depends on it.
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