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Braveheart

In a time when loyalties were bought and sold, Mel Gibson plays the real-life heroic Scotsman, William Wallace, who never backed down from the English as they tried to rob 13th Century Scotland's freedom.

As the king of Scotland died, the cold-hearted "Longshanks," England's King Edward I (Patrick McGoohan), took the crown for himself. He butchered and killed any Scot who defied his decision and wanted all the land for his own. A few people stood up to the king and demanded peace and freedom. William Wallace's father was one of these people - killed for his desire to truly live. Several years later the English attempted to rape and killed William's one true love and wife, Murron (played by Catherine McCormack), taunting him to step out and fight.

William vows to win the freedom of Scotland if it is the last thing he does. He rallies his doubtful friends and allies and breathes hope into their fearful and sad bodies. Soon "a country of our own" seems feasible to the masses and they begin to fight their way to freedom.

Slowly, but surely, freedom seems closer than ever. All the while, nobleman, Robert-the-Bruce (Angus McFadyen), the man who was first in line for the Scottish crown before Longshanks took over, must decide whether he will fight with Wallace and his people for a truly free Scotland or accept the bribe of King Edward and fight for the English to secure himself the Scottish crown and the empty royalty that comes with such a decision.

Longshanks seems to be unstoppable in his quest for bloodshed and power, considering the fact that his heir apparent, Prince Edward (Peter Hanly), is a coward and a wimp, when facing his father, and cannot stop his tyranny. His bride, who was chosen for him by the king, is the tough, yet sweet Princess Isabelle (Sophie Marceau), who finds herself drawn to William Wallace and all that he represents.

Everything reaches its boiling point as Robert-the-Bruce makes his decision, the Scots get closer and closer to freedom and King Edward's health begins to falter. If King Edward dies, the princess can rule over her cowardly husband and find a way to help Scotland. If Wallace continues, the Scots are soon to be free. However, the king has offered many bribes to Wallace and his people to stop his troops from going any further. If anyone's loyalty falters, all would be destroyed.

Braveheart won five Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director (Mel Gibson). William Wallace stands as the voice of a people who would not step aside as their freedom was taken. In the face of fear and uncertainty, one can still hear Mel Gibson (as Wallace) say, "They may take our lives, but they will never take our freedom!"

Written by: V. Alexandra de F. Szoenyi

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