Mel Gibson has reached an acting pinnacle, at least so far, with Braveheart. It is an epicmovie that is loosely based on historic events in Scotland. All the performances were greatand the cinematography was superb.The film covers the life of William Wallace from the time he is a small boy, whenhis Father dies, to his own death. The movie is set mostly in 13th Century Scotland, thestory's backdrop is William Wallaces struggle against the unjust rule of the English King,Longshanks, and how he gets almost the entire country of Scotland to back him up in hisstruggle for freedom. After the death of his Father at the hands of the English, William is raised by hisuncle who, being a great believer in education, takes William across the world where helearns Latin, French and the manly arts of war. Eventually, he returns to his homeland, afully mature man, ready to settle down with his childhood sweetheart and raise a family.The concerns of his countrymen over English rule take second place to his pursuit of the beautiful Murron, his childhood sweetheart. Due to the half-hearted opposition ofMurron's Father and the English noble's rights to take a bride on her wedding night,Wallace is married in secret. The honeymoon doesn't last long before their joy is shatteredby the results of an English soldier's attempted rape of Murron. While Wallace is able tobeat back the soldiers from his wife, she is captured as they flee in separate directions. Thelocal Lord then decides to bring Wallace into the open by executing his woman in aparticularly brutal scene. She is tied to an upright pole and her throat is cut.So starts William Wallace's life long battle against the English to free the people of Scotland. This common man is able to successfully organize the villagers to overthrow thelocal fort and slaughter the lord responsible for the death of his wife. Then, with the helpof an adjacent clan, Wallace goes on to tear down the local Lord's tempora...
