Our tribute to a classic film.
There are certain films that time hasn’t exactly been kind to.
Dated special effects, a stale script and woeful acting can make any film’s shelf-life seem shorter than a broken lance but Mel Gibson’s wonderful biopic of William Wallace definitely isn’t one of them.
Braveheart turns 20 this week and here are just a few reasons why it’s a classic. Let’s go.
1) It introduced the world to Brendan Gleeson
We’re firm believers that the Dubliner is among the finest actors in the world because he’s one of those rare performers that seem to make any film infinitely better by his presence.
Gleeson only started acting at the age of 34 – Irish fans already knew him from minor roles in films like Michael Collins, The Field and Into The West – but it was his scene-stealing turn as William Wallace’s best friend Hamish that really launched his career.
In the film, Hamish Campbell is a man that’s fierce, combative and tough on the battlefield but it’s the quieter moments that really demonstrate Gleeson’s incredible range.
In the film, Hamish seems to embody the very values that Gleeson as an actor represents. Honour, dignity and pride.
2) The casting
Every single actor in Braveheart, from the leads right down to the extras, are all memorable and add something different to the film.
We all knew that Mel Gibson had enough movie-star clout to play a charismatic, daring and rebellious leader but it’s the supporting cast that makes the film so strong.
Brian Cox’s brief turn as the sage, kind and wise Argyle Wallace helps inspire the passion in a young orphaned William while Sophie Marceau’s delicate and convincing turn as Princess Isabelle is so good that you would almost to go to war for her.
The hero is only as strong as his villain though and Irish actor Patrick McGoohan is sublime as the conniving, callous and cruel Longshakes – King Edward.
His delivery of the line ‘the trouble with Scotland is that it’s full of Scots’ is magnificent and the quiet manner at which he condemns men to their death is chilling.
Like Darth Vader, Nurse Ratched and Hannibal Lecter, he’s a timeless cinematic villain that will live on.
3) The Battles
For a certain generation of movie lovers, Braveheart was one of the first films that exposed them to the grizzly, gory and brutal events of what a full-on war should look like.
Swords pierce flesh, arrows block out the sun and shields get splintered. It’s bloody brilliant.
4) The production gave a huge boost to the Irish film industry
The film was shot in Wicklow’s Ardmore Studios and provided a massive boost to the Irish film industry at a time when it was badly needed.
There’s something very patriotic about seeing some our beautiful locations being used but there were some important developments behind the camera also.
The production gave some much needed experience, training and finances to those people that desperately wanted to work in the film industry.
It modernised Ireland and provided proof that the government’s tax-incentives were essential in attracting the best talent to work here.
Braveheart’s global success, both commercially and critically, undoubtedly helped convince future productions – like Saving Private Ryan, Reign of Fire and King Arthur – that Ireland was an attractive option.
5) Brain and brawn
The battle scenes and gory violence does help Braveheart’s appeal but there’s so much more to the film than this.
Gibson’s masterpiece manages to infuse themes of friendship, loyalty, patriotism and romance via a very classical narrative structure.
While playing a bit ‘fast and lose’ with the truth, the film helped redefine the modern blockbuster because it was no longer sufficient for muscle-men like Arnie or Sly to merely show up and fire off a quick one-liner.
The Oscars speak for themselves.
6) This act of defiance
You rarely see so many pasty white arses on screen.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YRKhTvUUYMI
7) How Ireland is represented
This writer loves the fact that the most unhinged character in the film claims to be the most wanted man in Ireland.
Steven gets some of the best lines including ‘the almighty tells me he can get me out of this mess, but he’s pretty sure you’re fucked’ and ‘in order to find his equal, an Irishman is forced to talk to God.’
This scene where the Irish soldiers decide to mutiny against the English and join the Scottish ranks is rather poignant.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8kG9j5Io6yw
8) One of most iconic scenes in recent film history.
Often parodied, never bettered.
The gauge of a truly great film is if certain moments remain with you long after the credits have rolled. This is one of them.
9) The score
James Honer, take a bow. Goosebumps.
10) Its impact
So many movies are happy to follow trends, cliches and demographics because studios love to green-light films based on box-office figures, statistics and data.
Braveheart blazed an original trail because it helped reinvigorated a genre that was derelict for years, the sweeping swords and sandals epic.
Gladiator, Lord of the Rings, Troy, King Arthur, Alexander and even Game of Thrones owe it a huge debt.
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