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List Price: $19.99 | | Label: Paramount
Salesrank: 1742
Released: December 18, 2007 |
| Our Price: $11.88 |
| Used Price: $8.20 |
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MPAA Rating: R (Restricted)
Media: DVD |
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Editorial Review:
Mel Gibson directs and stars in this Academy Award-winning epic based on the life of legendary thirteenth century Scottish hero William Wallace. Returning to his homeland following the death of an heirless king, Wallace (Mel Gibson) finds the political landscape precarious. Edward the Longshanks, King of England (Patrick McGoohan), has captured Scotland's throne and threatens the freedom of all Scottish people, as tyrannical policies instituted by the English plague the Scots. Initially, Wallace is content to stand by the wayside, yearning for the simple life of building a home and raising a family. However, when the woman he loves (Catherine McCormack) suffers a cruel fate at the hands of English soldiers, Wallace takes a stand against the new rule. With his fierce patriotism and determination, he gathers an amateur but passionately rebellious army. Although this makeshift force may be outnumbered by the English troops, their desperation and love for their land surpass any military maneuvers, as evidenced in the film's breathtaking battle sequences.
Description of Braveheart (Special Collector's Edition):
Mel Gibson's Oscar-winning 1995 Braveheart is an impassioned epic about William Wallace, the 13th-century Scottish leader of a popular revolt against England's tyrannical Edward I (Patrick McGoohan). Gibson cannily plays Wallace as a man trying to stay out of history's way until events force his hand, an attribute that instantly resonates with several of the actor's best-known roles, especially Mad Max. The subsequent camaraderie and courage Wallace shares in the field with fellow warriors is pure enough and inspiring enough to bring envy to a viewer, and even as things go wrong for Wallace in the second half, the film does not easily cave in to a somber tone. One of the most impressive elements is the originality with which Gibson films battle scenes, featuring hundreds of extras wielding medieval weapons. After Eisenstein's Alexander Nevsky, Orson Welles's Chimes at Midnight, and even Kenneth Branagh's Henry V, you might think there is little new that could be done in creating scenes of ancient combat; yet Gibson does it. --Tom Keogh
Braveheart (Special Collector's Edition) Reviews:
One of the Best Epic movies of all time 
2009-11-08 - I must say this is by far and large my favorite movie. Ive seen it more than 30 times in my life and it never goes dull. Bluray looks amazing!! I do remember an old interview with Mel & he said they had over 6 hrs of footage, I would like to see some of that. Everything on this movie from the acting to sets & sound all top notch. Must see!!!
What an epic movie...
2009-11-07 - This is my favorite movie of all time. From the acting to the cinematography to the outstanding score, this is just a perfect film. I couldn't wait for it to be released on Blu-ray, and it completely lived up to the promise. Everything looks spectacular and the Blu-ray really enhanced my passion for watching the movie, something I didn't think was possible. If you own a Blu-ray and have Braveheart on DVD, you have to upgrade. So worth it.
Must Watch
2009-11-06 - This is clearly a must have for anyone who likes movies. Braveheart certainly was one of the first movies I've seen with such a wide scale battle format that is done well.
Best Movie of all time!
2009-11-05 - Simply...I give you the best movie of all time... (War, romance, epic, drama, patriotism, etc.)
An amazing film gets a beautiful HD transfer. 
2009-10-16 - Braveheart is an inspiring film. One with great direction, breathtaking cinematography and a very gripping(albeit inaccurate) story. Since the onset of High Definintion and Blu-Ray, I have been salivating at the prospect of this film being released in HD and it's finnally here.
Braveheart tells the story of William Wallace, the scottish freedom fighter that inspired a nation to face England head on, is a virtual clinic in epic filmaking. Arguably Mel Gibson's best film, (both as a director and actor) the succeeds at so many levels, that it is easy to forgive the historical inaccuracies that so many critics have pointed at the film. Not only beacuse the result is such a powerful film, but since the most of what we know of William Wallace is based on legend, word and song. Gibson and screenwriter Randall Wallace take broad creative liscense in telling this story, but the result is a film that makes you want to go out and fight for whatever cause you feel is worth fighting for.
But many words have already been written praising this film as is. Lets go into the HD transfer. This Blu-Ray features impressive picture and sound quality. Braveheart was realeased in 1995, which is fairly recent compared with other HD transfers so one would expect at least the possibility of a near-flawless transfer and for the most part it delivers. The colors are rich and detail is clear throughout. The stunning vistas that help the film give it so much of it's character and personality look breathtaking in HD. The greens especially, which is so prominent in the hills of Scotland and the fields where the battles take place in the film. Textures come through quite nicely with clothing and surfaces looking quite good.
It is not without some minor flaws though. I was able to pick up several scratches and things of that sort throughout the film which I found strange considering that the film is not that old. Apparently the master from which the transfer was made was not in optimal condition or was not cleaned up properly. Which is another issue. It is again minor, but I feel the film could've looked cleaner. It is also a bit inconsistent with some scenes looking better than others. However, I don't want people to read this review and think that these issues are big enough to hinder the enjoyment one can get from watching this film in HD. This things are quite minor and you really notice them if you are combing over the film like I did for this review. I mention them because given the quality and importance of the film I was expecting a little bit more work from the studio when it came to the transfer but the operative word here is minor.
Overall, this is a must-buy for fans of this film and film in general. Despite minor issues, this is the most breathtaking Bravheart has looked and sounded. Ever. Better I would say, than in theaters. So pop it in you BD player and cry: "FREEDOM!"
