A new lease of life
The 15th Anniversary Special Edition Blu-ray marks the first time the film has gone through a digital re-mastering, something John Toll feels has been very valuable to the presentation of the film.
“It’s great that there is a way to see this film that was very close to what we originally intended, and how we intended it to be seen in theatres. I think it’s fantastic, it just gives the film a new life.
“It gives you opportunities in post-production, a way to exaggerate certain things, to give things more detail, to manipulate the images in ways you can’t for theatrical versions.
“I have been involved with the visual aspects and colour correction, trying to retain the original photographic intent that was the part of the theatrical experience.”
“It’s great that it can have this kind of life on Blu-ray,” adds Gibson, but jokes “sometimes you see it too well, you know.”
“But I’m glad it won’t suffer like some of the films of the past, where the celluloid rots away. You always have a record that's easily preserved and pristine.
“The only place to see it, really, is on a big old screen, but you can’t keep screening it in a cinema.
“And to make it live in a generation where the whole nature and character of the entertainment device is changing to keep up with it and make it accessible, that’s very valuable to me.
“I'm proud of this work. “ Gibson adds.
Something that is evident, 15 years down the line, with numerous other films under his belt, some more financially successful, some more critically praised, is just how much of a place this film holds.
Whether Braveheart continues to be the bane of historians, fodder for minority groups, doctrine for extremists or a badge of honour for an entire nation remains to be seen.
What is certain is that the film will live on as just that, a cinematic experience - one that immerses you in a story, and contains some of the most brilliant battle scenes committed to film.
Braveheart has been many things in the last 15 years, but after sitting down and re-watching the Anniversary disc. it is most definitely one – a cracking good piece of entertainment.
Face-painting fan of the film? Or unwavering hater? Leave us a comment.
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Comments
toyamocha
Nov 3rd 2009, 9:59
Braveheart is one of those magical films that just moves u,,, a true masterpiece
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