The film "Braveheart" (1995): Mel Gibson, Sophie Marceau, Patrick McGueen, Catherine McCormack

For the history of cinematography a great number of paintings have been created. Some initially fell through the box office, others collected large halls, but soon went into oblivion. It is quite different with Mel Gibson's directorial work.

The director and actors of the film Braveheart were able to translate the idea of the struggle for freedom. The picture has existed for more than twenty years, but this does not lose its attractiveness. She refers to such works that you want to revise, enjoy the views of Scotland, the actors play, successful battle scenes, soak from the main characters in the spirit of freedom, for which it is worth fighting to the end.

Information about the film

"Braveheart" (1995) shows the struggle of Scotland in the thirteenth century against the rule of England. The main character was William Wallace, who was a real historical figure and is known as the leader of the Scots.

The film was nominated for ten Oscar nominations. As a result, he received five awards from the famous film academy.

The film was recognized as the best in the categories:

• "The best film of 1995".
• "The best make-up."
• "Best Direction".
• "The best sound effects."
• "The best work of the operator."

The birth of a picture

The Braveheart tape of 1995 has a rather interesting backstory. It all began with the fact that screenwriter Randall Wallace went to Scotland to find his ancestors.

In Scotland, he learned about the history of his first-name, who lived many centuries ago. Randall undertook to describe the story of a hero who fought for his country with all his heart. When the script was ready, Wallace made sure that his story was implemented as close as possible. He succeeded. The script was practically not changed during the creation of the film. Even the voiceover voice at the beginning and end of the picture decided to leave.

The director of the film was Mel Gibson, who at that time only tried himself in this role. Randall and Mel were imbued with the idea of the film and created it in the best traditions of cinema.

Strangely enough, the director did not plan to become the main character either. What made him change his mind?

The embodiment of the main character

In the cinema, you can rarely find such a vivid image of the main character. He is absolutely open and honest, he does everything from the heart, showing both feelings of joy and hatred. All the emotions can be seen on his face. The hero is resolute and firm, and also merciless and cruel to his enemies. At the same time, he is capable of gentle and sincere feelings towards women. He carried his love through all his life. Its symbol for him was a thistle, which is also a national attribute of Scotland. Undoubtedly, this symbolism testifies to the love of the native land.

Important was the scene of William's execution. Like every man, he did not want to die. Moreover, death through quartering was even considered extremely cruel in those days. But most of all the hero is tormented not by death itself, but the fact that he could not unite Scotland did not achieve freedom for her. Therefore, he collects all his will and calls out to the crowd the word "freedom".

The director and screenwriter could not find an actor who would have embodied such a vivid image. They wanted to find a leader, after which thousands would go. Mel Gibson as a director decided to himself to embody such a complex image.

Gibson himself comes from an Irish family. He spent his childhood and youth in Australia, where his family moved. The world recognition the actor received after the release of the second part of "Mad Max". As a director, he created five paintings, the most successful of which remains Braveheart.

Event participants

No less important was that the other actors of the film "Braveheart" should meet the high demands of the director and screenwriter, since in addition to Wallace, there were still no less important characters in the film. Some of them were real people, others invented for the storyline. Thanks to the well-written script and the correct implementation, they all remembered the viewer.

Most worth noting are some of the images that embodied the actors of the film "Brave Heart":

• Princess Isabella of France is a refined and sensual lady.
• King Edward the First - is presented by the skilful strategist, the talented ruler of England, arrogant and cruel person.
• Marron is a modest and bold girl.
• Robert Bruce is a wavering and self-seeking person.
• Hamish is an ally of the protagonist, a savage with a gentle soul.

Now we should pay attention to the actors who were able to translate such important and complex images.

Princess Isabella

The historical prototype of the heroine was the daughter of the French king, who was later nicknamed the French She-wolf. She was the wife of King Edward II of England. Together with her lover, she managed to dethrone her husband from the throne and rule the country until the coming of age of her own son, Edward III.

Concerning the events described in the film, Isabella of France was the initiator of the agreement between England and Scotland and the signing of the Northampton Treaty. Sophie Marceau was able to transform the image of Isabella.

An actress from France. Since adolescence, she has received fame and recognition in the cinema. Since the age of sixteen, she starred with Gerard Depardieu, Catherine Deneuve. Further, her acting was connected with Andrzej Zulawski.

In the film Braveheart, the role of the princess became Sophie Marceau's first English-language work. The director chose it for the role of Isabella, because she met his requirements, namely - was a beautiful, good actress and Frenchwoman.

The actress tried herself as a singer, writer, director. Today she continues to work in the cinema and theater, as well as participate in advertising campaigns.

King Edward the First

The historical prototype of Edward Long-legged had claims to power in Scotland. This was due to the lack of direct heirs. But the Scottish tycoons did not agree to the demand of the English king. Edward the First invaded Scotland and, having won, set the British to rule the conquered country. One of his nicknames was the "Scots Hammer". However, the triumph was not particularly long.

The role of the English king was played by Patrick McGuin. The American actor tried his hand at the filmmaker and screenwriter. His fame he got, starring in British films, since infancy he lived in Ireland, and later - in England. At one time he was even the most highly paid actor in Britain.

Before the image of King Edward Long-legged Patrick McGuin played many roles in the theater and cinema. The most significant tapes were: "Moby Dick", the series "Dangerous Man", the film "Escape from Alcatraz".

A lot of work brought Patrick detective series "Colombo". The actor not only starred in the role of the killer in four episodes, but was the director of some series. For the played roles, he was twice awarded the Emmy Award.

Marron McClannoch

English actress Catherine McCormack, in contrast to her colleagues, gained fame precisely because of the film "Braveheart". At the time of filming, she was twenty-three years old, and behind her was the Oxford School of Drama and theatrical stage.

Oscar-winning film of 1995 brought the actress fame and opened the way to the main roles in such films as "Honest Courtesan", "Dancing during Lunaz".

Most of the time, Catherine McCormack works on the London theater scene. Occasionally she starred in films that do not have much success, as well as in the British mini-series.

Robert Bruce the Younger

The King of Scotland is considered the organizer of the defense of Scotland at the initial stage of the war of independence. From it began the royal dynasty of Bryusov. When the Wallace revolt began, Robert Bruce supported him, but soon swore allegiance to the English king. He still led the war for the independence of Scotland. After the death of Edward the First, the country was liberated from the British occupation.

The role of the Scottish king was performed by the actor Angus McFadyen. Although he spent his entire childhood in different countries, in his youth he returned to the UK, where he was able to graduate from Edinburgh University and the London Drama School. Prior to the role in Mel Gibson's film, the Scottish actor took part in only a few works.

At one time he had a close relationship with Catherine Zeta-Jones.

Hamish

The role of Wallace's companion was played by Brendan Gleason. "Braveheart" - a tape that was for the Irish actor a real breakthrough. He was noticed and invited to the picture by the beginning director Gibson. He saw Hamish in it.

Since that time, the actor, who at the time of filming was thirty-nine years old, had the opportunity to work in Hollywood. He played in such large-budget films as "Mission Impossible 2", "Artificial Intelligence", "Gangs of New York", "Cold Mountain". He also won the role of Alastor Moody in the Harry Potter franchise.

However, nominations and prizes brought him a completely different role. His game was noted in such films as "To lie on the bottom in Bruges", "Towards a storm", "Once in Ireland", "Golgotha".

At the time of filming, some actors of the film "Braveheart" were known, for others the picture became a push in their career. The images that they embodied revealed their talent for the whole world. For the director Mel Gibson, the work was the most successful.