The Reel Rejects - BRAVEHEART (1995) MOVIE REVIEW! FIRST TIME WATCHING!

Episode Date: July 16, 2024

THEY CAN TAKE OUR LIVES, BUT THEY WILL NEVER TAKE OUR FREEDOM!! Save & Invest In Your Future Today, visit: https://www.acorns.com/rejects Braveheart Full Movie Reaction Watch Along: https://www.patreon.com/thereelrejects It's another Historical Tuesday & today John & Aaron Alexander are here to give their First Time Reaction, Commentary, Analysis, Breakdown, & Full Spoielr Review for one of the SEMINAL Historical Epic War films of the modern age - the Multiple Academy Award Winning Opus Directed by & Starring Mel Gibson (The Patriot, Hacksaw Ridge) depicting a fictionalized take on the story of William Wallace, the late-13th century Scottish warrior who led the Scots in the First War of Scottish Independence against King Edward I of England. The film features a host of notable character actors including Catherine McCormack (28 Weeks Later), Brendan Gleeson (In Bruges, The Banshees of Inesherin, Paddington 2), Sophie Marceau (The World is Note Enough), Brian Cox (X-Men, Succession), Patrick McGoohan (A Time to Kill) as Longshanks, Angus MacFadyen (Saw III, Equilibrium) as Robert the Bruce, Tommy Flanagan (Sin City, Gladiator), James Cosmo & Rupert Vansittart of Game of Thrones, Alun Armstrong (Sleepy Hollow, The Mummy Returns), and MORE! John & Aaron REACT to all the Best Scenes & Most Moving Moments including They Will Never Take Our Freedom, The Love of a Princess, The Battle of Stirling, Freedom!, Withstanding the Charge, Beautiful in any Language, Outlawed Tunes on Outlawed Pipes, William Wallace and Murron Flower, the Rock Throwing Contest Scene, Stephen the Irishman, Not My Gentle Son, The Battle of Falkirk, & Beyond! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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Roll the R, roll the bumper, let's go. John Toll, I feel like he's responsible for many a terrifically shot film. Aaron! If you're listening to this on Apple and Spotify, that's right oh james horner okay sure damn i wouldn't have guessed well done but a classic composer no less if you listen to this on apple spotify by all means uh leave us rating uh what did you think sir i thought it was really freaking good i thought it was great man yeah this was one of those movies that i've heard about for years been around the chance to actually see until today with you

and you and this was something that definitely lived up to the hype you know from it's amazing score that was just very sweeping and inspirational and using very authentic Scottish sounds to kind of just like carry us through this and you know watching all the performances were really incredible and the way they were able to make this historical event into a very inspiring narrative credit to Mel Gibson and the writer but yeah I was I was born away you know it was just able to capture the emotionality of what that experience is like to be this underdog and kind of go through the trials and tribulations of war and loss and pain and kind of overcome and inspire people and entire people to to fight for their freedom

to fight for what's right and to fight for their their peace of mind because yeah this the whole just the landscape and just whole situation of how history is formed just so screwed up and I'm happy that, you know, even though it was done through very violent means, that they were able to find, not in, I guess, peace for the future, but find resolution amongst themselves to kind of have a better way for the next generations. And I thought it was a really great film overall. But, yeah, that is my quick little tiblet. So, John, what did you think? Yeah, I would agree. I mean, it's one of those movies where it has such a, yeah, cultural, it's just so part.

the cultural lexicon of movies and whatnot and I didn't exactly know I didn't really have like a portrait in mind of like what the movie would look and feel like and in a lot of ways this is kind of exactly the sort of epic I was kind of anticipating but in the best sort of way and it's funny because we watched the Patriot just recently catching up on all the Mel Gibson movies the right time for that but all all the Mel Gibsonness aside Yeah, like they're, it's interesting to see because they are two kind of similar movies in a way, in a sense, at least in terms of the themes and, you know, the fight for freedom in the face of tyranny in the face of authoritarian or, you know, just like monarchic authoritarianism and, uh, yeah, just the emotionality they're able to ring out of it. Like it is a cathartic and it's a hard one movie and obviously it's a bit of a tragedy certainly because William Wallace doesn't make it through. to see he is they compare him to Moses at one point and it is kind of that he leads the way to the promised land and never gets to step foot inside and uh and yeah from top to bottom i mean like

the production values like this what year was this like this is five i think yeah so like this is around that time i feel like where we were kind of at the at sort of a pinnacle where you know computer effects and things like that are just a glimmer in someone's eye still so like everything has to be amassed and you need so many people, so many extras, so many horses, you need so many locations, you need these castles and things, you know, you need so much in costuming and props and all that stuff. And like this is a true epic, you know, iteration of what movie magic is to me, you know. And yeah, another another in a long line of these films that we were watching, you know, that are, you know, historically leaning.

that makes me want to go and learn more about the actual history because, too, I mean, there's a lot about this that is very kind of rousing and satisfying throughout up until you get to, yeah, those later betrayals and those turns where, you know, at least in the personal story of William Wallace, things are, you know, taking the turn for tragedy, but, you know, you still have, you know, his sacrifice and his resilience spurring, you know, that last push toward freedom. And I'm curious because, too, you know, in the more recent history, obviously,

that we've had the United Kingdom, and I believe Scotland was a part of the United Kingdom for a while, and I think they, did they vote to leave or did they vote to stay? I remember when that was a big thing. They were like Scotland's voting, whether or not to stay or leave the UK. But either way, like that aside, just watching as, yeah, they have to transcend,

like, all of our own inner bickering between the clans and stuff like that, and, you know, really uniting against a common foe and against the common, just against tyranny in general, like, was, yeah, very inspiring and it's, you know, just, I don't know, a prescient reminder that, like, no matter how much warfare and battle changes, and, too, again, like, watching this, watching the Patriot, like, it's so harsh and it's so stark, and it is just like, you're just a bunch of people on a field, just here, slashing it out, you know, and they're, you know, shooting each other at, you know, point blank range and whatever. And it's so, you know, nasty and painful and there's disease and, like, you get that real sense of sacrifice and of, again, like, perseverance for, yeah, some kind of outcome we probably won't get to see, but that is, like, spiritually worth it. And, yeah, no amount of, you know, title or land grants or, you know, rich is bestowed upon you can truly, you know, if your heart is in the right place,

none of that stuff can dissuade you from the true pursuit of, of, you know, honest freedom. And, uh, and yeah, like, I think it did a really nice job, you know, tying together all those themes. It's starting out in a place where, yeah, it is, you know, this love story, you know, he's coming home, he's just trying to live his life. And pretty soon it's just not possible and he has to take a stand. And as much as, you know, they do essentially free,

Maron. That's her name, right? Essentially, as it is like a fridge situation, I thought their romance at the beginning was so lovely, and they did a nice job of really making us, again, they bring your heart into the things that are worth fighting for. We meet several of the people around. We meet Brendan Glees, and we meet, you know, just these various characters who will become part of the ensemble

of, you know, sort of the brotherhood that this is. you know, and yeah, like getting us invested in all of that stuff and kind of seeing what life is like and seeing, you know, the meager means that a lot of these people are living under, and yet, you know, the resilience, the culture, you know, the way of life that they're able to have, you know, before it is put under, you know, like the truly most overt threat of, again, tyranny.

And yeah, I just thought this was really well-drawn and well-captured and well-conceived. And, you know, there are certain moments here or there where you wonder, like, oh, man, what was sweetened for, you know, cinematic structure and whatever else? But, you know, nothing felt like it was too, I don't know, fantastical or anything like that to hinder, you know, the movie's ultimate impact. And, yeah, like, it's a bummer, you know, it's a bummer that, you know, Mel Gibson's trajectory has gone the way that it has just simply because, I mean, this is a masterful piece. And to be able to lead a movie like this, hold down that Scottish accent, at least in a way. I've heard a number of Scottish accents over time, and it seemed like a pretty solid one at that. And to be able to direct all this and to manage, like, directing any movie is a whole lot of hats you've got to wear.

And I imagine directing an epic like this has to be massive in terms of, you know, you're wrangling army's worth of extras. And, I mean, you've got help, but still you've got to be thinking about and conceiving of all that. that and still finding time to be in the moment and be in the emotion and and you know be in the humanity of you know this historical encounter this historical account of sorts like i mean it is truly impressive what they were able to make with this and i absolutely see why this is one of like the the peak you know war epics historical epics in cinema like this was yeah this was quite gripping and captivating yeah yeah i wholeheartedly agree i think it was very very gripping and captivating and the fact that is able to win five Oscars is just in the

testament to the quality of the, not only the quality of the movie, but the fact that it's this universal thing that a lot of people got behind because it is, it speaks to just like the basic human nature of wanting to be free and wanting to, you know, have life and joy and be able to have that in a time where, you know, people aren't living as long, you know, granted that beginning of this movie you know you really get to relish and see like scottish joy granted not like the beginning beginning but like you know what I'm talking about like the wedding and like watching them like plays kids and stuff and like watching them fall in love and just getting to see like what their way of life was before you get to realize oh the fuller scenario

of oh just like England has this like big grip hand over like what they're what they can't do like the whole thing about taking their wives and their wedding night is just so awful just so horrible and like yeah of course you want to fight for freedom especially if somebody just thinks they can take whatever they want whenever they can like hell no that's

that's just truly awful and I feel like the fact that you know we didn't get to like know these characters inside and out and like what they like go through on like a daily basis but I feel like the what makes our film successful is getting your character and having them have such a strong

one have such a strong sense of purpose and then having that purpose taken away and then garnering a new purpose that we can all get behind because we can all get behind themes of love and loss and revenge and you know and freedom and freedom exactly and watching them do that

in a way where it was able to capture this time but also build his legend at the same time you know I fully bought into the fact that yeah he's doing these things but this word of mouth is spreading over the amazing feats and he was facing resistance over and over and over

again from his own people from the people he was trying to unify and then obviously from England but the fact that he was able to accomplish such things in the face of such adversities just really a testament to how great of a leader he was and how ambitious he was and how much of

a person of moral character and and discernment and discipline he was as well and yeah the fact that he was not only just this great warrior but the fact that he was able to be so

well versed in his knowledge as well because they made a emphasis at the beginning of the movie to how his wits are like what's most important you know and he was not only using those wits in the sense of like using multiple languages

or speaking multiple languages but he was also utilizing those wits and when it came to being a warrior, you know, how we planned that whole thing with like them all, them all using their spears and then the other people came on the other side. Like, that was just genius strategy. I would have liked to know a little bit more about his time, like acquiring all these skills and his knowledge and his relationship with his uncle. So, but obviously this is like history and like this is the main crux of the movie is about this war and their freedom and whatnot. Yeah, like a training montage. That would have been cool because we just had this kind of jump where he just has all the knowledge already. But

And then Brian Cox never shows up again. Never shows up again. It's such a cool. It's such a cool look. I was like, I want to know more about that guy. And like, yeah, I wonder what happened to him. And yeah, just maybe to see the fuller scope of like what was going on around that time. Like obviously we had a French princess, but we never spent any time in France.

Or like how far does his legend really spread? Like these are all things I would be curious to know. And maybe like, you know, it's a movie like this that inspires you to not only want to watch. learn more, but also want to show other people. And I feel like if this, the crux, the things that make a good movie for me are ones that inspire you that make you feel and it makes you want to share it with others. And I feel like this movie succeeds on all of those levels. I want to take a quick moment to thank today's sponsor Acorns.

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want to live up to that ideal of, you know, not, yeah, it makes you want to live up to the ideal of basically standing on principle and, you know, not allowing tyranny to flourish or to even plant its seeds. And I mean, you know, it's interesting to go back to that comparison. Like watching this, watching The Patriot, very different feeling movies in certain ways, but also like very similar, it's like timeless themes. It's like there's always kind of these power dynamics and

there are always people kind of looking at other countries and trying to shuffle them around. and use them as, you know, pieces on the chess board rather than looking at the actual, you know, purpose of life, which is to, you know, live and flourish and have your kids and, you know, raise a family and tend to your own, all that stuff. And, you know, both those movies, too, you're under tyranny from England,

and you've got this one guy who is able to, you know, kind of transcend the normal accepted bounds of military procedure and, you know, cultural concerns and whatnot and is able to unite people and is able to lead them against this impossible seeming force in one way or another and is able to make this, you know, tremendous sacrifice to, you know, push, you know, the, the, is people, you know,

give them that push that they need to make it across the finish line or to take, you know, the battle, to take up the mantle truly and not falter under the, hopelessness that can come when you lose somebody like that and when you lose somebody who's so inspiring and is so key and crucial to, you know, this, the way of life that you're fighting to protect. And two, I mean, both of these guys are represented in a way where like they do develop because you don't have cameras and whatever else. You know, they do develop this sort of larger than life legend and both movies kind of confront that in an interesting way. Yeah. And then you think about, yeah, it's like, it's like, like the themes of both are these kind of anytime you're living in a world with borders and politics

and power structures you're just going to have to confront the threat of tyranny and the pursuit of freedom and yeah I think you're right it's like this works really great as a movie but it also just kind of gives you that extra little bit of inspiration to be like

man out there in life whenever presented with it I hope I have the amount of character and resilience, you know, to, yeah, not take the bribe, not take the sort of complacent band-aid of the situation. All these nobles here. It's like, hey, you know, we're going to give you some land. We're going to give you some titles.

We're going to give you some money. Can you get your people in line for us, please? Like, you know, and seeing it from the king's perspective, you know, he's always just like, ah, you know, I'm going to go over to the French and we're going to do some fighting because, say hey you know they'll make good allies for this thing and hey if we kill this guy then uh you know yeah like obviously the king is certainly made out to be or at least long shanks not his son so much but like the king is made out to be this pretty dastardly figure and i don't have a reason to doubt that you know this was the case but it does make me wonder because it is just sort of like man you

are so kind of down that rabbit hole you're so you know looking down on everyone from this tower and from, you know, just like the God's eye view of a map that, you know, you don't seem really engaged at all with just like what life is for and about. Yeah. You know. So far moved from it, you don't really, like, consider

the humanity or the morality of what you're doing and how it's affecting people. You just look at it as a strategic thing as if people aren't a real factor to consider. It's just all about, like, acquiring more land and just kind of holding what you have. in maintaining and then growing what you have but like there's like at this level of disconnect from it yeah hoarding the power and resources exactly hoarding the power but yeah great

performances um I really liked both of the I mean what was her name Marin I thought she was terrific I also liked the the French princess I thought she did a great job and I liked again it's one that's another one of those details where I'm like wow I would love to know the history because it's it's fascinating and it's cool that she you know played her own part and was crucial in ways, you know, to what transpired here, you know, and, and even her, you know, handmaiden, you know, giving them the tip off, you know, like, in a subtle way, it's not even made, like, it's not even hugely emphasized by the movie, like, oh, look, look at this, so big triumph, what clap moment, you know, it's, it's just like, no, yeah, this is part of it.

And, you know, there are certain people who do kind of notice and really make decisions based off the integrity they note in other people. And to that, too, and I really liked, as tragic as it is and as frustrating as it is, the back and forth between Wallace and William the Bruce, or Robert the Bruce, I should say. You know, and there are moments where you're like, damn, man, if only you had made a better decision at a better time, you know, this could have been different,

but I do like that he ultimately does come around and, you know, takes up the mantle and has that opportunity, you know, at the end there, to end this in some kind of compromise but chooses to yeah take the fight that one last step yeah man this was quite quality i wish i wish wallace would have had the chance to face the king yes but obviously agree this is history so not everything happens in perfect you know harmony that you'd like to you want him to you want him to break in and whoop him yeah yeah yeah he deserved I feel that. I feel that.

Let's, we got, we got to just a couple minutes before we got to wrap this up. A couple facts. I'm sure there are facts on this movie. Oh, what? God, I can only, I can only imagine as I scroll. IMDB facts on a historic historical drama? Look out now. Mel Gibson, check this out.

Initially turned down the role of Will I am. Wallace, feeling that he was too old for the party. He was 38 at the time. Well, the real Wallace died at 35. Wow. But Paramount Pictures would finance. the film only if Gibson agreed to star in it. So he did.

Hell yeah. Williams Wallace's two most trusted captains throughout the film are Hamish, who is Scottish, and Stephen, who is Irish. Hamish was played by the Irish actor Brendan Gleason. And Stephen was played by the Scottish actor, David O'Hara. That's great. Did a little switcheroo. Irish Hamish, Scottish Stephen.

Not bad. In October 2009, interview with the Daily Mail. Mel Gibson admitted, oh, here we go, that the film was heavily fictitious, but claimed the changes had been made for dramatic purposes. He also admitted he had always felt he was at least a decade too old to play Wallace. A bit of a repeat factor. One of the film's weary extras reportedly mistook one of Mel Gibson's children on set for an errand boy and asked him to bring him a cup of tea.

Gibson was in earshot and nodded and whispered to his son, go get it. Keeping them humble. Keeping them humble. Ooh, many Scots were offended by the film's portrayal of Robert the Bruce who was considered a national hero. Wow. Good to know.

I would, yeah, again, recommend some good historical podcasts and whatnot. Up to 1,600 extras were used for the battle scenes. Most were members of the FCA, the Reserve Irish Army. Different companies usually come from the same area and rivalries are common.

Apparently, some of the battle scenes are far more realistic than intended, with rival companies trying to beat the lard out of each other. Wow, man. Oh, goodness. When asked by a local why the Battle of Stirling Bridge was filmed on an open plane, Gibson answered that the bridge got in the way. I, the local, answered, that's what the English found. Interesting.

King Edward, the first, was called Longshanks, long legs, because he was at least six two uncommonly tall for him at the time William Wallace was even taller six foot five and that's why they legend him up to being like seven feet tall however Mel Gibson is five ten while Patrick McGowan

was actually six two exactly so he was on point here last one this is a thick boy Mel Gibson later said regarding this film some people said that in telling the story we messed up history and now it's different

It doesn't bother me because what I'm giving you is a cinematic experience and I think films are their first to entertain then teach then inspire I might remix the order of that myself

but either way there probably were historical inaccuracies quite a few but maybe there weren't who's to say because there was very little history about the man

it wasn't necessarily authentic in some of the stuff I read about him he wasn't as nice as he was on film romanticized in a building I can imagine yeah you don't get to be that great of a warrior but that's the language of film you have to make it

cinematically acceptable actually he was a monster he always smelled a smoke because he was always burning people's villages down he was like what the vikings called a berserker but we kind of shifted the balance a bit a bit because somebody's got to be the good guy and somebody the bad guy and every story has its own point of view and that was our bias I at least there's definitely some villages and shit that he did we did not see 100%. Oh, oh, oh. And the premonautous thing

in which nobleman has the right to a common man's bride after her wedding night has never been used in the history of Britain or Ireland. It would have encouraged rebellions and would have encouraged rebellions in newly conquered territories that were already difficult to govern.

It was more common on the continent, notably, in France. Wow. Several major battle seas were reshack because extras were wearing sunglasses and wristwatches. I was looking for that. There are a lot of facts on movies like this about that kind of thing.

And aside from the few scenes shot in the Scottish Highlands, nearly all the movie was filmed in Ireland. Killing the game. Again, the magic of cinema, the rousing, inspiring magic of a good piece of historical fiction. Leave us your thoughts on Braveheart. Leave us any trivia that you guys know

or any answers to our burning. questions you have anything else to tell the people before we head out no this is a great time and i'm happy you guys joined us it's been great absolutely thank you for spending an epic time with us and we'll catch you on the next one and be good to each other fight the tyranny wherever you can pieces