Braveheart Movie review

I remember watching "Braveheart" for the first time. It was the first R-rated movie I ever watched. For sure, Braveheart deserves its R rating, but that is no reason to avoid this movie. In fact, I recommend it to people in their late teens on up. It's certainly a profile on courage in the face of heavy odds.

It is the 14th century. Scotland has long been under the thumb of its more powerful neighbor, England. The Scots have been feeling that "thumb" more than ever in recent times, thanks to England's current monarch, King Edward "Longshanks." The movie begins with two Scots searching for a friend, who was part of a party of nobles gone to discuss peace terms with King Edward. The two discover that Longshanks' promise of peace talks was in reality a death trap. These two are father and older brother to the movie's hero: William Wallace (played mostly by Mel Gibson). After the two of them die in battle shortly afterward, young William is taken in by his Uncle Argyle, who teaches him how to use his brain as well as a sword. Years later, after the unjust execution of his wife, William Wallace starts leading a rebellion against the tyranny of England.

As I said before, "Braveheart" deserves its R rating. The movie is heavy on bloody battles and laced with obscene language ("Jesus" is used more than once, and so is "b****rd. "Arse" is used several times). There is one scene where the silouhette of a naked woman with a naked man is shown (although this is soon after a secret wedding, so this can be considered a tribute to the beauty of a wedding night) and two scenes of one or more Scots showing distain for the English army by showing it their bare buttocks. There is a scene where a man tries to rape a woman. There is a part in the movie where William is being tortured and disembowled.

Even so, "Braveheart" is a story of courage in the face of oppression. Just make sure kids aren't watching while you're watching.