Capsule Review: Braveheart (1995)

Not exactly subtle – and certainly a long way from historically accurate – Mel Gibson’s account of the life (and death) of Scottish hero William Wallace contains enough bloody battle footage, memorable characters, and a simple message (FREEEEEEEEEEDOM!) to sustain its epic runtime. The characters are all broadly drawn, particularly the cartoonishly evil English who do everything short of twirling their moustaches, but as a folk hero brought to life it is intermittently entertaining. Great soundtrack by James Horner lifts the slow bits.