A stupendous historical saga, Braveheart won five Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Director for star Mel Gibson. He plays William Wallace, a 13th-century Scottish commoner who unites the various clans against a cruel English King, Edward the Longshanks (Patrick McGoohan). The scenes of hand-to-hand combat are brutally violent, but they never glorify the bloodshed. There is such enormous scope to this story that it works on a smaller, more personal scale as well, essaying love and loss, patriotism and passion. Extremely moving, it reveals Gibson as a multitalented performer and remarkable director with an eye for detail and an understanding of human emotion. (His first directorial effort was 1993’s Man Without a Face.) The film is nearly three hours long and includes several plot tangents, yet is never dull. This movie resonates long after you have seen it, both for its visual beauty and for its powerful story. –Rochelle O’Gorman

5 Responses to “Braveheart DVD includes free Halliwells Guide to Action, Adventure and Epic FIlms [1995]”

1. Sam Tyler says:

   June 7, 2010 at 12:00 am

   Braveheart Blu ray review 08/06/09

   Distributor 20th Century Fox – UK – Region A,B, C.

   OK, first let me just state for the record, that Braveheart is a far more mainstream title than would usually be found reviewed here.

   Sometimes though, you just experience a Blu ray disc that mainstream or not, you just have to write about and this is certainly the case in this instance.

   This special anniversary edition is presented as a 2 disc release containing many extras but it is also worth noting that the film itself is the full uncut version, which marks the first time it has been released uncut in the UK.

   Braveheart has been thoroughly remastered for this release and is presented in a top notch 1080p 16×9 transfer which looks excellent. No print damage is present and the film really looks brand new and not 15 years old.

   The 5.1 DTS HD audio I have to say is incredible. Having never experienced the film like this, I honestly felt transported into the movie itself. From the absolutely stunning score, to the crashing sound effects and dialogue scenes, it all sounded perfect. Crystal clear, distortion free, this is quality audio at it’s very best. Quite how this movie did not win an Oscar for best soundtrack in 1996 I’ll never know.

   As for extras, the first disc contains the same commentary track by Mel Gibson which has been present on the DVD releases, but there is also a picture in picture commentary titled “William Wallace’s World” which once selected, also plays along with the film providing information and real facts etc… Disc 2 contains the usual trailers, interviews etc.. but also a new documentary entitled “Tales of William Wallace” which at almost feature length in running time, explores the real history of the films leading character. Having an interest in historical legends, I found this documentary truly engaging and well worth at least one repeated viewing. There is also an interactive 3-D Battlefield which shows how the various true life battles actually played out.

   Altogether this really is a top notch release. I was always a fan of the film but since seeing it on Blu ray, it has increased my fondness for the movie ten fold.

   This really is a stunning presentation that needs to be experienced on Blu ray and is a must see for fans of the film and new viewers alike.

   A classic movie, done justice with a quality Blu ray presentation.

   Set your Blu ray player Free, with this outstanding release.

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2. J. Richardson says:

   May 9, 2010 at 12:00 am

   a brilliant film – Mel Gibson at his best. Memoriable story could watch time and time again
3. Mrs. A., Hill says:

   March 7, 2010 at 12:00 am

   I really can’t understand some of the reviews of this movie. Anyone with an ounce of wit knows this is yet another ripping yarn courtesy of Mr Gibson and Hollywood, and a very entertaining one it is to. It’s obvious Mr Gibson isn’t a big fan of the English and an even less fan of historical fact, but why let fact stand in the way of profit and viewer entertainment. As an educated Irish man I knew this Hollywood blockbuster would be (very) loosely based on past history…American style. Unfortunately most Americans don’t travel, thus experiencing other cultures and world history courtesy of Hollywood. When they do travel it’s usually by military transport. Braveheart is a well made film with lots of action and good acting but I would love to see Mr Gibsons take on the extermination of the native American Indians or what about the Battle(massacre)for Fallujah. Or he may choose to make another yarn based on the persecution of the Aborigines in his adoptive Australia. Or he might consider a trilogy of movies about the genocide committed by American forces in S.E. Asia I’m pretty sure he would be able to show America in a good light in all these dark periods of history. All Mel’s films should be taken with a pinch of salt and if his movies offend you then more the fool you. Hollywood after-all has never had any qualms twisting historical facts and insulting the rest of the world…….everyone knows that. More to be pitied than laughed at.
4. Mark Barry at Revival Records, West End says:

   February 22, 2010 at 12:00 am

   Re-watching 1995’s “Braveheart” on a 2009 BLU RAY – you’re struck by several things…

   The downsides – Mel Gibson’s truly awful mime of a Scottish accent (title above)…his ludicrous hair and wigs…and it just goes on for too long.

   Upsides – Mel was also the most handsome man on the planet at the time of filming, Patrick McGoohan was chillingly brilliant as Longshanks The King, it had loads of tremendous support actors throughout (Brian Cox as Wallace’s Uncle, Brendan Gleeson as Hamish his friend, Angus MacFayden as the Scottish King in waiting, David O’Hara as a fighting clansman, Ian Bannen as the Leper and the mad-eyed James Cosmo). And to top it all off – you get both Catherine McCormack and Sophie Marceau in the same film – easily two of the most beautiful women in the world. And of course there’s also James Horner’s haunting musical score – a beautiful air played on the Pipes which kicks in at key moments in the story; it can still bring a tear to your eye and a quickening to the pulse…

   But most of the time you are seriously impressed with the cleaned up PRINT – because on BLU RAY – “Braveheart” is BEAUTIFUL to look at – it really is. Apart from a few lines in the opening shots of the Highlands, the transfer is almost faultless throughout and really adds to your enjoyment of the scenery, the costumes and the fantsically well-staged battle scenes. In fact, I also now remember why I liked it so much at the time – it had passion and fire – like “Gladiator” did – and still does.

   The original bonus material remains intact, there’s two extra hours of added-on special features and the whole 2-Disc set now comes in a tasty outer card wrap (like the Bond titles).

   On BLU RAY “Braveheart” is a very handsome thing indeed – a sweetheart. And it has never looked this good and that’s for damn sure.

   Recommended.
5. G. Purser says:

   January 30, 2010 at 12:00 am

   just a brilliant film and great transfer to blu-ray a must for any ones dvd collection