Braveheart (1995)

VHS COVER/SIDE

Length of film: 178 Minutes

Rating: R

Genre: Biography, Drama, History

Director: Mel Gibson

Starring: Mel Gibson, Sophie Marceau, Patrick McGoohan, Catherine McCormack, Angus Macfadyen

IMDB Rank: 8.3/10

Part 1 Time:  104 Minutes     

Part 2 Time:  74 Minutes

Where does the first part end? King Edward I- Longshanks (Patrick McGoohan) confronts his son about the failure of the York Battle and contemplates who he will send in his place to discuss terms.

Final line of dialogue on the first part: Longshanks talking to himself with his son present in the room “I share offer a trues to buy him off, but who would go? Not I, if I fell under that murder it would be my head in a basket. But not my gentle son? Only the sight of him would only encourage him to take over the country. Who do I send…”

First line of dialogue on the second part: “Beth?” Walace (Mel Gibson) yells while pursuing a hidden figure while dreaming 

How jarring is it when the first part ends? Somewhat, at this point in the film the audience is rooting for the Scottish to win independence due to the years of brutality caused by the British. The Scottish have won a major battle at York, and there is some mystery to who Longshanks will send to discuss terms.

Which part is better? The combination of love, brutality and freedom are clearly shown in the first part of this film. During the first part of the film the audience is introduced to the loving relationship of Walace and Murron (Catherine McCormack). This relationship is the spark that begins the Scottish revolt against the English and the drive that keeps Walace focused and a commanding presence for Scottish revolutionists. For this reason part one is better.

Academy Awards: Best Picture, Best Director, Best Cinematography, Best Effects- Sound Effects Editing, Best Makeup, Best Writing- Screen Play Written Directly for the Screen (Nominated), Best Costume Design (Nominated), Best Sound (Nominated), Best Film Editing (Nominated), Best Music- Original Dramatic Score (Nominated).