Braveheart is one of my favorite films of the 90’s but I had never purchased it on DVD because the original release was so skimpy in terms of extras. It had only a commentary track and a 30-minute making of feature. Paramount has finally beefed up the DVD with a two-disc set featuring several new extras. While it is not overflowing, it’s light years better than the original release.
The film tells the story of 13th century Scottish patriot and rebel, William Wallace (Gibson) who unites the various clans of Scotland to fight for their freedom against the English. England had used the turmoil of the previous Scottish king’s death to gain a stronger foothold in the country. When an English Sheriff makes an example of Wallace’s love, Murron, by slitting her throat, Wallace leads a bloody revolt on the local garrison and exacts his revenge on the local magistrate.
Wallace becomes the inspirational leader of the Scots, even though others have a greater claim to the Scottish throne, such as Robert the Bruce. Wallace leads his men on various guerilla raids against the English, culminating in one of the bloodiest battles ever filmed. Heads and limbs are severed, skulls are crushed, and arrows pierce throats. Rarely had the carnage of battle been so accurately and beautifully shot.
In many ways, Braveheart was like one of those grand Hollywood epics of the 50’s and 60’s like Spartacus or Ben-Hur. Outstanding performances and sweeping landscapes punctuate the film that won the Academy Award for Best Picture. Say what you want about Gibson’s politics and opinions on ethnic groups…he’ still one hell of a filmmaker.
Certainly the film took liberties with history but even the real Wallace’s life is shrouded in mystery and much of it comes from a poet who wrote the tales over a hundred years after Wallace’s Death. As good as Gibson was in the lead role, my favorite performance was Patrick McGoohan as King Edward I. McGoohan’s crusty and callous portrayal cut an intimidating figure onscreen. He cannot contain his disdain for his homosexual son and in one memorable scene, tosses his son’s lover out a window to his death. This is an outstanding film that holds up view after view.
Now…as to the extras…
The Gibson commentary is back on this new DVD and is insightful because you’re not only getting commentary of the lead actor, but also of the Director and Producer as well as Gibson wore all three hats.
The original DVD had a 30-minute making of Documentary. The new disc has a 49-minute making of documentary. Having not seen the original, I don’t know if any of the material is repeated, but the new documentary has comments from Gibson both currently and from 1995 and he shares the fact that he originally passed on doing the film.
“A Writer’s Journey” is a 21:30 featurette about the writing of the story by Randall Wallace.
“Tales of William Wallace” is a 30 minute documentary about the true William Wallace with comments from various historians.
There is also a 14:30 featurette with interviews with the cast members done back while the film was shooting.
All in all, Paramount has finally given Braveheart fans a DVD release that is worthy of the film.
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