Braveheart - Movie Analysis Essay

Introduction

The usage and significance of music in contemporary-day films have been overlooked for too long. Nowadays, music sits very comfortably in the film context, being actively ignored but still activating people's subconsciousness. This reflects the emotional effect these films have on people's minds. Since the early 1900s, the applications of songs in films have grown gradually. This paper aims to look at Braveheart film and analyze its music, trying to understand its significance and the overall impact that it has. Braveheart is a 1995 American historical war film co-produced and performed by Mel Gibson, who features William Wallace, a 13th-century ancient Scottish fighter.

Is your time best spent reading someone else’s essay? Get a 100% original essay FROM A CERTIFIED WRITER!

Save 25%

Genre and Historical Period

Braveheart was a significant hit that attracted audiences and won five Academy Awards, including one for the best director and best picture. It signified a high point for its director and star, Mel Gibson, and rekindled the historical epic genre in movie making. The war genre movie was filmed in the 18th century after the shooting of a similar historical drama, Rob Roy, in Scotland, which acquired not only garnering awards but also professional appreciation. The Braveheart is an action-filled Scottish movie which was seen on the big screen, a month after the release of Rob Roy (Paramount Pictures, 1995). The Braveheart set half a millennium before and also featured one of the most significant figures of Hollywood during that time, Mel Gibson. Gibson had recently shown that he could be appealing to mainstream viewers and critics similar to pieces of this era, of the Western origin and those of Shakespeare.

Braveheart, which Gibson directed, was able to emerge as one of the unique films of its time. Moreover, the film won 10 Oscar nominations and five wins, including the recognition of the best picture. The biographical depiction of William Wallace also became a phenomenon of pop culture. It ignited a turnaround in Hollywood in which action superhero movies might be profitable in the past is carefully shot and expressed a blend of commercial interest and professional drama. Some of the film's followers would also generate substantial income while garnering accolades that other films would not. Still, there was no other film of this historical period that could beat Braveheart, which among its runtime of three hours, is most iconic for a climactic event, celebrated with some blue face painting and spirited battleground expression.

Composition and Plot

James Roy Horner was a composer, an orchestrator, and a composer in an American film score, documenting more than 100 pieces. He was recognized for the incorporation of electronic and choral effects and his dominant utilization of motifs linked with Celtic music. His first main score was in 1979, but he failed to introduce himself as an eminent composer of films until in 1982 when he composed the "star trek I" The Wrath of Khan." Horner partnered with several other directors and producers as well as songwriters. He has won different awards for his outstanding skills in filming and composition (Paramount Pictures, 1995). His James Cameron's Titanic is so far the most popular orchestral film soundtrack of all time. He also composed the score for the second highest-grossing film ever seen, Cameron's Avatar.

The Braveheart film is based in the early days of the Independence war in Scotland. During the 1260s, Scotland was led by Alexander III, its king, but kings from England wanted to lead their neighboring nation for several years. Following the death of Alexander 111 in 1286, with no sons to succeed him, there came up a dispute in the country concerning the next king. For some time, the throne was taken to the granddaughter of Alexander, Margaret, while six guardians reigned in her name. Margaret later dies in 1290, and there was no immediate heir to take up the king's role. This led Scotland into an era of confusion since thirteen candidates were competing for the throne. Amid these events, Edward 1 king of England seized the opportunity of ruling over Scotland. After his first attempt to choose a king for scots, he decided to invade in 1296.

Wallace is sent to mainland Europe to be trained when William Wallace's father and brother are killed in the war with the British. As an adult, he moves to Scotland and gets married to his childhood sweetheart, Murron (Catherine McCormack). Wallace protects her when the English military seeks to rape Murron, but the military men make a second assault, and she is abducted and murdered. Wallace then guides his tribe to destroy the English troops, and he proceeds to battle to remove the English from Scotland, attracting a rising number of supporters as tales of his accomplishments spread (Paramount Pictures, 1995). During the Battle of Stirling Bridge, he drives his marginalized troops to triumph, then decides to invade England and massacres the town of York.

King Edward Longshanks of England sends his son's wife Princess Isabelle to form an alliance with Wallace, but she is captivated by him and becomes his friend. She informs Wallace that an English attack is imminent. Wallace wants the Scottish nobility's assistance in the war against the English, but the landowners are hesitant. The specific tornness is Robert the Bruce. After representatives of the Scottish aristocracy betray Wallace, Scottish warriors are routed by an army driven by King Edward in the War of Falkirk. Wallace attempts to assassinate Edward himself, but a lancer, who happens to be Robert the Bruce, intercepts him. Robert instead protects Wallace from being captured by the English.

Even though some Scottish nobles took part in the fight, most of them did nothing due to fear of ending on the losing party. Some also decided to fight for the English for revenge on other families in Scotland. A good instance is the Bruces, who had another aim for assisting the English; they wanted the England king to appoint one of them as the ruler. Nevertheless, the ordinary Scottish citizens did not have anything else to lose. The attitude of the English forces to them was terrible, and they were prepared to battle (Paramount Pictures, 1995). They just wanted a leader, and after Wallace killed the local English officer, Hesselrig, for killing his wife, he soon discovered he was at the peak of a rebellion. The war for Independence in Scotland had started.

The Braveheart film based on these occurrences is aimed at illustrating the struggle for freedom and independence. Unlike other films during this time, the film contained musical soundtracks, which are intended to convey a message to the viewers in line with the main themes. Wallace, in this film, aimed at giving courage to scots. As the nobles in Scotland are busy taking care of themselves, Wallace dedicated all his energy to fight for the citizens and to acquire liberation. Scottish people are taught to appreciate their independence and freedom above all other things. Robert is made the Bruce by Wallace, who becomes the Scotland king later, ashamed of his support to English. Following the death of Wallace, Robert Bruce was willing to play his part in reaffirming the independence of Scotland (Paramount Pictures, 1995). In 1306, Robert the Bruce became the Scotland ruler and led a subsequent revolt. In his reign during the Bannockburn battle of 1314, the Scots managed to beat the enormous army ever deployed into battle by England and Scotland acquired its independence for the following 400 years.

"Braveheart" Film Music

Braveheart movie was unique and famous for its utilization of Celtic and more generally ethnic music with the instrumental palette of its score showing more than just a Celtic slant. In fact, in 1995, the score marked for the very first time and attracted numerous critics, members of the audience, and major industry players in the film. These individuals significantly embraced the orchestral score of the film with considerable Celtic impact. In the sixties and seventies, pope Paul McCartney added to the excitement created by the rating by seeking permission to go to the studio sessions (Hickman, 2006). Most people commented that the soundtrack used for this film was the most beautiful symphonic music ever heard.

Braveheart's film has not lost sight of the key components of motion picture music. The wonderful melodies signify the magnificent Scottish atmosphere, forceful percussion for the unique episodes of battle, and great strings underscoring the underlying human drama at the heart of the entire film. Horner always made efforts to close the gap existing in world music and symphonic music, and with Braveheart, he framed this soundtrack in the most stunning manner. The ethnic and orchestra instruments marvelously play off each other or unite in a considerable unison (Paramount Pictures, 1995). Titanic, which is considered as one of the most popular movies and music phenomenon in history, was just an iceberg that could not be existing in the absence of Braveheart.

Driven by this account of a significant historical figure, Horner adopted the timeless struggle for independence and freedom and changed into musical notes that flowed with his peculiar sensibilities. His unique symphony galvanized the freedom fighter in Scotland. He also took the atrocious torture of martyr and violent conduct and handled it with a type of solemn serenity, which made it significantly poignant. William Wallace leaves the world with the peaceful discovery that freedom had already been acquired. He delivered a strong message, turmoil, and the battle of his life, fading away in the anticipated reconciliation with his beloved Muron. It all rhymes to the magical tones of the choir that Horner's Children came up with (Hickman, 2006). The maestro continually operated with the emotions in the film. Braveheart is, therefore, a call to freedom, love, and courage delivered by a musical story whose wonderful profoundness can only be captured by the bravest hearts.

Although much of the score is devoted to the movie's suspense and/or romantic elements, certain action signals are incorporated in work. "Vengeance" presents a streamlined ambiance of Original theme synths, pan pipes, rhythms, and scraps in almost the same style as the similar name song from Heroes of the Fall. Whilst the London Symphony Orchestra's videotape is magnificent as ever on Horner's scores; there is also an unusual paradox that afflicts the music: the sense that the ensemble has been held back and stopped from unleashing in romantic gestures. Apparently, it is the sound Horner and Gibson aspired for the songs, but it feels strange not to hear the orchestra crack out from the almost contemplative restraint point. Given the movie's intensity and range of feelings, one might almost hope for a certain fantastic symphonic sweep similar to Apollo 13 or Legends of the Fall, rather than the Man Without a Face or The Spitfire Grill's more subdued look. It's just a minor issue and one which possibly won't impact anyone, but it seems a little off.

Scene Analysis (0:25-0:30)

In the first scene from 0:25 to 0:26, it is observed that Wallace's future bride, Murron is also observing and mourning for his loss. "A Gift of a Thistle" provides a score highlight where Horner graces the scene with the Theme of Murron. Murron gives him a thistle bloom as a gift of her love, and also as a gift to console him during a hard time. It is evident that he has moved the token, from the appearance of his eyes as that love is kindled in his heart. Murron's Theme is tender and softly carried by tremulous flute, uileann pipes, and strings gentile with the adornment of a harp (Paramount Pictures, 1995). The dreams of William about his father, whom he misses dearly, are revealed by the outlawed pipes and outla...