No matter what you feel about Mel Gibson there is no doubt the man not only has an impressive resume as an actor, but transitioned into a great director as well with films like Passion of the Christ and one my favorites Hacksaw Ridge. In 1995 he took on double duty in front and behind the camera for Braveheart also starring James Cosmo, Brendan Gleeson, Tommy Flanagan, Angus Macfadyen, and Brian Cox. 

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Braveheart follows William Wallace, a Scottish rebel who leads an uprising against the cruel English ruler Edward the Longshanks, who wishes to inherit the crown of Scotland for himself. When he was a young boy, William Wallace's father and brother, along with many others, lost their lives trying to free Scotland. Once he loses another of his loved ones, William Wallace begins his long quest to make Scotland free once and for all, along with the assistance of Robert the Bruce. Gibson is so good at what he does on both sides of the camera, but I had really forgotten how great this movie really is. Sure not all of the facts are fully accurate, but Gibson himself stated this with the changes meant to add a cinematic experience and it works all around.

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Gibson embodied this role in a way that I just don’t think it would have worked with anyone else. He has that rugged exterior of an action hero, but when you look into his eyes you can see something else that alternates between pure passion and raw emotion. There are scenes in this movie that his eyes speak more volumes than the epic speeches he gives. The rest of the cast were excellent as well making you believe the plight and suffering they are facing on and off the battlefield. While the performances are all great across the board it’s the battle sequences that are really stand out. They pulled no punches here and it made all the difference. Supposedly they were cut down to get a R rating so you can imagine the real graphic nature that was meant to be seen. The swords, arrows