Braveheart

1995

Director: Mel Gibson

Distributor: Paramount Pictures / Icon Entertainment

Key Elements: Story, Characters, Line, Message, Music, Gospel

My Review:

This is a must see for anyone with a Y-chromosome. It is rare that a movie comes out with such an inspiring and iconic leading man.

This movie blends history with legend to present the story of William Wallace, liberator of Scotland. His character shows what a leader must be.

Wallace is a devoted lover, a fierce fighter and an inspiring leader. He is led by passion and principle, not selfishness. Though he is a warrior, his heart it for peace in freedom. He is brutal against compromise and he is completely devoted to God.

Parallels can be seen between Wallace’s character and the person of Christ. This is most evidently illustrated in the use of a cross motif during the execution. Just as Wallace gives his life to free Scotland from the tyranny of England, Jesus died to free us from the tyranny of sin.

No matter how inspiring Wallace’s character is, he is only a vague reflection of the true liberating warrior – Jesus Christ.

Clip:



Quotes:

• I shall tell you of William Wallace. Historians from England will say I am a liar, but history is written by those who have hanged heroes.
• I know you can fight. But it's our wits that make us men.
• Your heart is free. Have the courage to follow it.
• In order to converse with an equal, an Irishman is forced to talk to God.
• Aye, fight and you may die, run, and you'll live... at least a while. And dying in your beds, many years from now, would you be willing to trade ALL the days, from this day to that, for one chance, just one chance, to come back here and tell our enemies that they may take our lives, but they'll never take... OUR FREEDOM!
• Lower your flags and march straight back to England, stopping at every home to beg forgiveness for a hundred years of theft, rape, and murder. Do this and your men shall live. Do it not, and every one of you will die today.
• Now tell me, what does that mean to be noble? Your title gives you claim to the throne of our country, but men don't follow titles, they follow courage. Now our people know you. Noble, and common, they respect you. And if you would just lead them to freedom, they'd follow you. …And so would I.
• I don't want to lose heart! I want to believe as he does.
• I never lie, but I am a savage.
• Every man dies, not every man really lives.
• God makes men what they are.
• In the Year of our Lord 1314, patriots of Scotland - starving and outnumbered - charged the fields of Bannockburn. They fought like warrior poets; they fought like Scotsmen, and won their freedom.

Stills: