Braveheart

A film set in medieval Scotland. William loses his father and brother as a child. An uncle takes him away and raises him abroad for years. When he comes back all he wants is a farm and a marriage. He marries in secret, because of a right the English garrison exercises. His wife is killed. From that day Wallace changes his life. From there the film is a rebellion. Peasants, spears, two large battles, the treachery of the Scottish nobility, and a king. What the narrative is interested in is not independence but the nobles: the film presents the real enemy as the Scottish aristocracy protecting its own interests rather than the English army. The battle scenes are crowded and muddy. Most of the extras were reservists from the Irish army and the shoot was split between Scotland and Ireland. Its relation to history is weak. The clothing does not belong to the Scotland of the period, the line with the princess is chronologically impossible, and the first great battle was filmed without the bridge it is named after. The film ends on an execution and holds it for a long time. It won five Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director. Mel Gibson, Sophie Marceau, Patrick McGoohan, Catherine McCormack and Angus Macfadyen are in the cast. The music is by James Horner. Mel Gibson directed. Who it is for: anyone who likes large-scale historical epics. Who it is not for: anyone looking for history; the film holds its connection to fact very loosely and the violence is heavy.