Over the history of cinema, a great many paintings have been created. Some initially failed at the box office, others gathered large halls, but soon went into oblivion. The situation is completely different with the directorial work of Mel Gibson.
The director and actors of the film āBraveheartā were able to realize the idea of āāthe struggle for freedom. The picture has existed for more than twenty years, but this does not lose its attractiveness. It refers to such works that you want to review, enjoy the views of Scotland, the actors' play, successful battle scenes, soak from the main characters with the spirit of freedom, which you should fight to the end.
Movie Details
"Braveheart" (1995) shows the struggle of Scotland in the thirteenth century against the rule of England. The main character was William Wallace, who was a real historical figure and is known as the leader of the Scots.
The film was nominated for ten Oscar nominations. As a result, he received five awards from the famous film academy.
The film was recognized as the best in the nominations:
- "The best film of 1995."
- "The best makeup."
- "The best direction."
- "The best sound effects."
- āThe best work of the operator.ā
The birth of the picture
Tape "Braveheart" in 1995 has a rather interesting background. It all started when the screenwriter Randall Wallace went to Scotland to find his ancestors.
In Scotland, he learned about the history of his namesake, who lived many centuries ago. Randall undertook to describe the story of a hero who wholeheartedly fought for his country. When the script was ready, Wallace ensured that his story was brought to life as close as possible. He succeeded. The script was virtually unchanged during the creation of the film. They even decided to leave even the voiceover at the beginning and at the end of the picture.
The director of the picture was Mel Gibson, who at that time only tried himself in this role. Randall and Mel were inspired by the idea of āāthe film and created it in the best traditions of cinema.
Oddly enough, the director did not plan to become the main character. What made him change his mind?
The incarnation of the protagonist
In cinema, one rarely encounters such a vivid image of the protagonist. He is absolutely open and honest, does everything with all his heart, showing both feelings of joy and hatred. All emotions can be seen on his face. The hero is decisive and firm, as well as ruthless and cruel to his enemies. Moreover, he is capable of tender and sincere feelings for women. He carried his love through his whole life. Her symbol for him was the thistle, which is also a national attribute of Scotland. Of course, this symbolism testifies to the love of the native land.
The scene of William's execution became important. Like every person, he did not want to die. Moreover, death through a quartering, even in those days, was considered extremely brutal. But most of all the hero is tormented not by death itself, but by the fact that he could not unite Scotland, did not achieve freedom for her. Therefore, he gathers all his will and shouts out the word āfreedomā into the crowd.
The director and screenwriter could not find an actor who would embody such a vivid image. They wanted to find a leader, followed by thousands. Mel Gibson, as a director, decided to embody such a complex image himself.
Gibson himself is from an Irish family. He spent his childhood and youth in Australia, where his family moved. The actor received world recognition after the release of the second part of Mad Max. As a director, he created five paintings, the most successful of which is Braveheart.
Event participants
It was equally important that the other actors of the film āBraveheartā meet the high requirements of the director and screenwriter, since in addition to Wallace, there were still equally important characters in the film. Some of them were real people, others were invented for the storyline. Thanks to the well-written script and the correct implementation, all of them were remembered by the viewer.
Most worth noting are some of the images that the actors of the film āBraveheartā embodied:
- Princess Isabella of France is a refined and sensual lady.
- King Edward One - represented by a skilled strategist, a talented ruler of England, arrogant and cruel man.
- Marron is a modest and courageous girl.
- Robert Bruce is a hesitant and self-seeking person.
- Hamish is a companion of the protagonist, a savage with a gentle soul.
Now itās worth paying attention to the actors who were able to embody such important and complex images.
Princess isabella
The historical prototype of the heroine was the daughter of the French king, who was later nicknamed the French Wolf. She was the wife of King Edward II of England. Together with her lover, she managed to overthrow her husband from the throne and rule the country until the coming of age of her own son Edward the Third.
Regarding the events described in the film, Isabella the French was the initiator of the agreement between England and Scotland and the signing of the Northampton Treaty. Sophie Marceau was able to embody the image of Isabella.
Originally an actress from France. From adolescence, she gained fame and recognition in the cinema. From the age of sixteen she starred with Gerard Depardieu, Catherine Deneuve. Further, her acting was related to Andrzej ulawski.
In the movie Braveheart, the role of the princess was Sophie Marceau's first English-language work. The director chose her for the role of Isabella, because she met his requirements, namely, she was a beautiful, good actress and a Frenchwoman.
The actress tried herself as a singer, writer, director. Today she continues to work in film and theater, as well as participate in advertising campaigns.
King Edward the First
The historical prototype, Edward the Leggy, had claims to power in Scotland. This was due to the lack of direct heirs. But the Scottish magnates did not agree to the demand of the English king. Edward the First invaded Scotland and, having won, set the British to rule the captured country. One of his nicknames was The Scots Hammer. However, the triumph was not very long.
The role of the English king was played by Patrick McGuen. The American actor tried his hand as a director and screenwriter. He gained his fame by acting in British films, since he lived in Ireland from infancy, and later in England. At one time, he was even the highest paid actor in Britain.
Prior to the image of King Edward the Leggy, Patrick McGuen played many roles in theater and cinema. The most significant tapes were: āMoby Dickā, the series āDangerous Manā, the film āEscape from Alcatrazā.
A lot of work brought Patrick the detective series Colombo. The actor not only starred in the role of a killer in four episodes, but was the director of some episodes. For the roles he played, he was twice awarded the Emmy Award.
Marron mcclannoch
The English actress Katherine McCormack, unlike her colleagues, gained fame precisely thanks to the painting āBraveheartā. At the time of filming, she was twenty-three years old, and behind her was the Oxford School of Drama and the theater stage.
The Oscar-winning film of 1995 brought the actress fame and opened the way to the main roles in such films as āHonest Courtesanā, āDancing during the Moonlightā.
Katherine McCormack works most of the time on the London theater stage. Occasionally, she starred in films that do not have much success, as well as in British mini-series.
Robert Bruce the Younger
The King of Scotland is considered the organizer of the defense of Scotland at the initial stage of the War of Independence. With him began the royal dynasty of Bruce. When the Wallace uprising began, Robert Bruce supported him, but soon swore allegiance to the English king. He nevertheless led the war for the independence of Scotland. After the death of Edward the First, the country was liberated from English occupation.
The role of the Scottish king was played by actor Angus McFadyen. Although he spent all his childhood in different countries, in his youth he returned to the UK, where he was able to graduate from Edinburgh University and the London Drama School. Before the role in the film by Mel Gibson, the Scottish actor took part in only a few works.
At one time he had a close relationship with Katherine Zeta-Jones.
Hamish
The role of Wallace's associate was played by Brendan Gleeson. āBraveheartā is a tape that has become a real breakthrough for the Irish actor. He was noticed and invited into the picture by a novice director Gibson. He saw Hamish in him.
Since that time, the actor, who by the time of filming was thirty-nine years old, got the opportunity to work in Hollywood. He played in such large-budget films as āMission Impossible 2ā, āArtificial Intelligenceā, āGangs of New Yorkā, āCold Mountainā. He also got the role of Alastor Moody in the Harry Potter franchise.
However, nominations and prizes brought him completely different roles. His game was noted in such films as āGet to the bottom in Brugesā, āTowards a stormā, āOnce in Irelandā, āCalvaryā.
At the time of filming, some actors of the film āBraveheartā were known, for others, the picture was an impetus in their career. The images that they embodied revealed their talent to the whole world. For director Mel Gibson, the work was the most successful.