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Kyle Main ...
       I am 14 years old. I first saw this film when I was  about 11. I've been hooked on the movie ever since. My favorite character is Stephen the Irishman.
       My best BH experience came a few months ago at school. We had a time warp day where everyone dressed up as something from the past or future. My friend and I decided to do Braveheart. We each made kilts and bought some blue facepaint. I dressed up as Stephen and he was William.

Thanks for reading this!
Kyle
June 2002

David Pruetz ...
Back in 1989 I married my wife with a last name of Hanna (Clan Hannay). Up until Braveheart, we used to go to the Scottish Festivals in California regularly and I fell in love with the heritage. In fact, I used to get jealous that my wife was able to bask in her Scottish heritage, and boy did she ever tease me about it too! Well, in 1995, when Braveheart came out, that sent me over the edge. What a movie! It has been the only movie in my life where, after it was over, I was just sitting in the theatre looking at the blank screen .... happy, sad, devastated, etc. After seeing the movie another six or so times in 1995, I had to ask myself why I was so drawn to, and, in love with the history of Scotland. I had always been told that I was from German descent, but on my father's side. I decided that I should do some research on my mom's side of the family. After a few months of research, I was able to find out not one, but two very important and exciting facts. Not only did I find out that my Great, Great Grandfather was from Scotland, but his name was ROBERT WALLACE, of Lanarkshire (sp?). I know that this probably sounds petty to a lot of people, but I can now truly and proudly say that I am a Scot! I hope to visit Scotland someday, but until then, Pro Libertate!
June 2002

Erich Neubacher ...
I am very interested in historical matters. This curiosity goes back to my father, who told us about the origin of our family. To make it short: in 18th century our family lost all possessions on earth, but never gave up their religious believings, they fled instead and worked as poor man since .... me, but this is another story.

When I noticed the movie, I wasn't interested at first, because of the prejudice of triviality. Then one day - some years later - late Saturday night I got by random switching a catch of the last scene of the movie on TV:

"You have bled with Wallace, now bleed with me..."

In this moment I was completely lost. Only a great leader is able to motivate his followers with such real words. ( BTW the corresponding commentary in the movie seems terrible pathetic to me [ in the german version, maybe in the original it makes some sense ] ). Remember: in this moment I don't know the story of W.W. ( never heard of him since then ), but with these words and the last seconds of the movie my fantasy paints the theme.

Some weeks later I got a full copy of the movie. I will never forget the first words, the thistle, the music, the love, the fights .. and most important .... Wallace never gave up his believings.
[ I wish, God would gave me this power of my family, this strength of the character in the movie ... Mel said something like this in prison ]

BH seems not be very exact in historical terms, but Mel Gibson made a great movie, which is raising my .. our .. emotions.
This is the greatest compliment a man can achieve. The eyes and the movies are winning all the time, but to me only the music touches the deep of the soul. Therefore James Horner gets the prize.

Thank you for your marvellous page.....
February 2002

Heather Richardson ...
One May evening in 1994 we were taking a trip up Glen Nevis. As we turned the bend halfway up the glen we saw some little wooden houses with lots of straw around them. Strange we thought, haven't seen these before up here. A little further on a wooden castle loomed over the brow of a grass mound - oh look at that we exclaimed. By the side of the castle was a gate with a security guard, a catering van and lots of people.
Oh they must be making a film we thought and carried on up to the first waterfall turned round and came past the 'village' making our way to the restaurant at the beginning of the glen.
We were having a drink at the bar in the restaurant and my husband asked the barman what was happening in the glen. He smiled and replied 'its Mel Gibson's new film Braveheart'.
If only I had known it was Mel Gibson at the time of us passing the film set!!!
It wasn't long after this that I started getting involved in genealogy and found out that my great grandmother is a Wallace. Unfortunately no connection with William as of yet!
I made a special point of going to see the film as soon as it came out and since then have watched it countless times. Everytime I watch it, its just as good as the first time!
I still believe it is the best film I have ever seen.
December 2001

Scully ...
I was very moved by the strength of Braveheart when I first read the book. I have a poster of it in my room, and every time I look at it I can nearly feel the strength of freedom that shines out of William
Wallace's eyes (I know it's Mel Gibson but he acts so *real*....).
I first didn't want to see the movie, because the book is very brutal in some scenes, but I didn't regret seeing it. It's so moving like very few other movies do.
William Wallace has really become an idol for me, one who stands up and fights for his rights and the one for his country without caring if he dies. And also he's peaceful, because he only fights for the freedom of his people and a peaceful life there... he's such a brave human hero, but doesn't let stand somebody in his way.
I have never experienced an historical character becoming a real idol for me.
December 2001

R Douglas ...
Like the many other people who have contributed to the experience pages, I thought that I might as well add my own. On first viewing, you can't help but feel that something really deep down in the soul has been touched. I don't mean anything on an emotional level, but something that is tangible, ancestral, even for those who are not of Scottish birth. A sense of truth and fair play. Loyalty to a friend, belief in good. Because at the end of the day the vast majority of people throughout the world are good people. This film/story did just that, it touched people to the core. Few films can say that they have achieved the same. One of the scenes that really caught my eye was, after the victory at Stirling, Mel rallies his troops. Take a close look at Mel's eyes. It appears to me that this scene saw a unique moment where the actor stopped acting and transcended deep into his character. (Belief.) Well, I have to go the noo. Duty calls! at the shops.
Heartened to know that there are people of like minds oot there.
Yours
R.Douglas.
November 2001

Fallen Ember ...
Hello and thank you for giving me the opportunity to share this with you and
your members.

My Braveheart experience begins way back in 1995 -1996 (Since Mel won the Oscar in 1995, I  believe, that sounds about right.) Anyhow, since I am one of the unfortunates who were unable to see Braveheart at the cinemas, I had to wait until it was released on video.

Back then, although there had been much buzz about the film, while at the video store, my former boyfriend and I were rather indecisive in our choice of movie to rent at the time ... It ended up that we took home Braveheart that night.

I had been working extra shifts to make ends meet at the time (long story)and was rather tired ... We plunked in the movie, and shortly after it began I found myself to be rather sleepy and unfortunately I fell asleep for a short time... I awoke and found the movie was still on and my boyfriend was   complaining about how much he disliked it, I and finally after more ranting and raving, he simply took the movie out of the vcr and decided he would return it to the store... Although I protested, there was nothing I could do about it. I had missed my chance to see Braveheart. (I'll get back to my Braveheart experience later.) Well time moved on and though I believed I'd once again have the opportunity to see the movie, things were getting pretty bad relationship-wise, and in 1999, my boyfriend and I parted
ways.

For a while, things were quite bleak. Low wages meant no extras, no movies. Eventually things got better and I earned better wages and began to live a more normal life.

By this time, I was also getting into the internet and chat rooms. I met a lot of people online, but one fateful January day in 2000, I met the man that changed my life forever... I had done a random search on ICQ which put me in contact with several men from the UK, one of whom (a Scotsman) began
chatting with me that night. I was awestruck. Never in my life had I met anyone so wonderful... That conversation led to more conversations. Soon I could no longer deny my feelings for him and blurted them out to him one night. I was shocked at myself for revealing my true feelings, but when he
revealed he felt the same about me I nearly had a coronary! We were definitely in love. We spoke online nearly every night and also on the phone occasionally. (Ok back to Braveheart for a bit...)

During one of those chats, he asked me if I'd ever seen Braveheart... I said no and told him the story... He pleaded with me to see it, and I said I'd wait to watch it with him when he came to visit. (We had been thinking of meeting though no plans were made at the time. Ok. Back to me.)

In September of that year, he came to Canada and we finally met for the first time face to face... The connection was instant, it was comfortable from the beginning. (I had failed to procure a vcr so we didn't watch Braveheart.)

This Scotsman gave me what are undeniably the 6 most beautiful days of my life after which he left to go back to Scotland. Our hearts ached to be together again, but it was not to be. (During this time, I received a vcr for Christmas and started buying movies.) Life happened, with all its constant trials and tribulations and eventually we grew distant.

Although I have not stopped loving this man, I am not sure he loves me still. (Long distance relationships rarely work... I know that.) However, I don't think I will ever stop loving this man, even if someday I meet someone new. I have already told you he has changed my life forever, and he
has. Though I didn't know it at the time, his connection to me is my connection to Braveheart. He embodies all of William's qualities: intelligence, wit, charm, perseverance, courage, strength and most of all, passion. (I'll stop it here, back to Braveheart now.)

About a month ago, I bought a DVD player, and some DVDs. Yesterday, I bought Braveheart.

I watched it this morning. Words cannot express how I feel now, but I'll try. First of all, I didn't fall asleep this time! I cried so much my eyes were red and puffy. It was the best movie I have ever seen, start to finish. When it ended, I immediately felt the need to write Mel Gibson and thank him for sharing this masterpiece with us all. Of course, that isn't possible. But I hope that this letter can serve as a way of thanking him for telling the story of William and of his sacrifice for the freedom of  Scotland.

Scotland is certainly a proud and great nation, possessing great strength.
But even more so, you have great passion, a fire in your souls that can be seen throughout history.

I pray for the freedom of your nation. You have fought for it, you have bled for it, and thus have earned it many times over.

Thanks again. I'm sorry this is so long. I do hope you will still post it.
November 2001

Susan Fraser Knowlton ...

I wish there were more movies like BraveHeart.  It's impossible to watch any other movie now without comparing the uncomparable differences!  No other movie has yet to stir my romantic senses, impact my sense of pride or leave me feeling so greatful for freedom as BH.  It is the ultimate movie of human spirit. Our country (the United States) is undergoing an ugly war in Afghanistan and I have, for the first time in my life, felt our freedom being threatened.  My hope is that all American Braveheart fans will stand together as strong and fearless as William and remember what we are fighting for - FREEDOM!  
Thank you for your wonderful site.  By the way, the first time I watched BH, I had the flu and fell asleep during the battle of Stirling (can you believe that!?)  It wasn't until three YEARS later I watched it again and could not believe what I had missed.  Since then, I have bought the movie and watch it faithfully at least once a month.  It gets better each time.     

October 2001

Sgt. Kilbourn ...

To the Andersons,

My name is Tim Kilbourn, or Sgt. Kilbourn I'm in the Marines reserve.  
Every year before annual training I have to watch Braveheart to get ready.  
I've worn out one copy of the move on VHS so my wife got me the DVD. 
My crew and I put on the blue war paint and I give the freedom speech and then we commence the engagements; it's fun and now it is tradition.
I used to play the bagpipes in high school and I'm going to start playing them again to add 'outlawed tunes from outlawed pipes' to the mix. It should be fun.

                                                               Sgt. Kilbourn

June 2001

Scott Lowell ...

Greetings,
First off, great site!
Secondly, I am only 1/3 Scottish, so forgive me!
I am in the US Air Force, and travel frequently. Soon, I hope to visit Scotland at Ayr [Prestwick] for a bit. I have been to the UK, but never Scotland ... I will remedy that soon I assure you.
I am currently reading into the story of William Wallace. I am not sure how much fact the movie represents, but I may state with no reservation:
Braveheart was the singular most moving and emotional movie of my adult life, bar none.
I knew it would be good when I saw the previews, but I did not expect to be so totally blown away!
How I WISH I could have been at Bravehearts premiere in Scotland! What an event that must have been! It would be like attending "Saving private Ryan" with WWII vets.
The movie embodies the values of greatness:
-Honor/valor
-Courage
-Family
-Love
-Acceptance
-Leadership
-Chivalry
-Self-sacrifice
-Stoicism
-Defiance of oppression and tyranny
-Tactical brilliance...and more
I was swept away by the force of the sheer majesty of the highland drama. The cinematography, music, script, actors and all other elements were a tour de force.
There were too many touching moments to list right now. There were also an number of moments that made people cheer out loud.
Somehow, this movie and the story of William Wallace are inspirational, and a paradigm for military personnel today. Somehow, the award of "Knight" or the American "Medal of honor" seem inadequate for such a man. I just hope if I am again called upon to fight for freedom, then I may live by the example set by William Wallace.
FREEEEEDOOOOOMMMM!!!!!!
Scott Lowell

March 2001

Lovelyladygirl ...

     First off, I want to tell you guys how great your site is.  Thanks for maintaining a haven for all us Bravehearts who most of the world think are a bit off their nut :)  I've been soooooo enamoured of Braveheart and Scotland in general for a while now but never thought there was so many other people
who shared the feeling that Braveheart is so moving and that the tale of William Wallace holds so much for us.     

      Well then, that said, and at the risk of going on and on and on.....on with my Braveheart experience.  In about May 1999 I met a wonderful man online.  He lives in England but has good Scottish blood.  He and I were talking just about everyday and sometimes he'd bring up what it's like being Scottish living in England, and how he's proud to be Scottish anyway, and it really made me think, you know.  Now I never knew a thing about Scotland or the Scottish except the old stereotypes before I met Mr Wonderful and had only seen little parts of Braveheart when my folks rented it at Oscar time, but I always thought when the subject was brought up that Scotland was pretty cool, I always liked bagpipe music, plaids, and my middle name is even Skye. One day my sweety mentioned that he loved Braveheart and thought it was pretty cool that his ancestors were probably in those battles.  After I talked to him that day I decided to watch it on video the whole thing ........ and that was just the beginning for me (seen it about 25 times and counting since '99).

       I've become absolutely Scot-ified!  I live and breath Scotland and Scottish, I've been studying Scottish history where ever i can find the resources, and I'm dying to make a trip over there sometime in the next couple years or so.  I myself have gained so much strength and been so inspired by Wallace's story.  But its amazing just how much Mel Gibson got into the real spirit of Wallace;  I agree with some of your other writers, he really became William Wallace.  I sincerely pray for the future of Scotland that there might be another person out there with William's strength and bravery.  Don't listen to the Old Bruce's bit about the ability to compromise making a man noble.  On certain issues, like the freedom of one's nation, one must not compromise, as Robert so forcefully learned.  
ALBA GU BRATH and SLAN to all true  Bravehearts!!!!!!!

March 2001

GH ...

Two of my friends and I had gone to the Grosvenor off Byres Road in Glasgow on a Saturday afternoon feeling just a little hung over. We'd brought a bottle of Glen Grant for the occasion which we sipped through straws from our pepsi plastic cups. This was '95 when it first came out and I was nearly thirty and thought that a movie couldn't affect me anymore but as soon as the music kicked in and the camera panned over that majestic scenery I felt the instant lump in my throat and all of a sudden I was a schoolboy again, reading of William Wallace and Robert Bruce and going on day trips to Bannockburn and Stirling Castle. I realised I'd waited twenty years for this film. The whole audience sat in silence through the whole three hours (although the buggers stuck an intermission in just after the battle of Stirling which although a pain, meant that we could get another bottle of whisky as someone had finished the first!). When the film ended we trundled out into the sunshine of Ashton Lane and into the nearest bar where we met some other friends who asked us where we'd been. No one had spoken since leaving the theatre and when we tried to say what we'd just seen, the big man shed a tear. In fact many manly tears came to my eyes just then, so overwhelmed was I by what I'd just experienced. Feelings of pride in my country: the beauty of its terrain and the kind heartedness of its people - I'd never live anywhere else; memories of history lessons and thinking that surely Robert Bruce must look like Kenny Dalglish (who was scoring regularly for Scotland against England when I was a boy); and just the gratitude that someone had bothered to take a story that although well known to any  Scotsman, was unknown to the rest the world, and frame it so magnificently.
I've since seen the film many times including watching the battle of Stirling before heading off to see Scotland play England at Wembley in 96, our faces lovingly painted blue and covered in tartan. Its a wonderful film with flaws which only the embittered Glasgow thesps who didn't get a part (unlike my mate Sandy (William's brother - 'Away hame, William' being his only line)) would point out. Its a film with spirit. A film with passion and a touch of melancholy with hints of violence. Just about sums up our nation then.
Thanks for letting me witter, this was quite cathartic.
Land of my heart forever - Scotland the Brave!
GH

March 2001

Robert ...

Dear Fellow Bravehearts,

In August of the year 1992, I was wrongly convicted of a crime I didn't commit. I spent the next three and a half years in prison because of one person's false testimony in my case. During that time of confinement, I lost my home, my children, having no father at home to guide them turned to running the streets and becoming involved in drugs, my wife starved herself in order to see to it that our children had enough to eat. She had to move into a small apartment in a dangerous neighborhood after the house was gone. I called her on the phone every Saturday night and tried the best I could to say words of comfort to ease her pain and dry her endless tears. Finally, one day, I completed my time and went home to my dear wife. She was waiting for me with open arms and a big Braveheart smile. It has been tough for us ever since. It's hard to make ends meet since ex-prisoners (even ones falsely convicted) have a hard time finding work that pays enough to live on. When I tell people of my false conviction some smile weakly as if to say "I hear you, but I don't believe you". It is heartbreaking to realize that there are some who do not believe my side of the story. Life has been hard, but with God and my devoted wife by my side I know I'll make it. Things will get better one fine day. I just know it.

June 2000

Baron Locke ...

In 1995 at 26 yrs old, I was destitute and delusional. I saw Braveheart repeatedly and for many months, I began wondering what it would be like to live a life such as Wallace's. I went out one night and set a perceived enemy's building on fire. I was swiftly caught and arrested. I spent a few weeks locked up until I was bonded out. After bond, I awaited imprisonment for 9 months.
During this time I met an amazing woman who was in a prison much worse than any I would know - she was in an abusive relationship. I fell for her, but I could do nothing as my incarceration was looming. When I was sent away, I began writing extravagant love poetry to her, letters from the heart, sending "gifts of thistles" - anything to convince her she was worth more. I used every tactic and idea I learned in Braveheart to keep the fire burning.
13 months later, I was released, with the blind hope that this wonderful person and I would join. Over time, she freed herself. Realizing my love was genuine, despite the shambles that life was in, she came to me. 3 years after we met, we were married with Scottish plaid, burgundy and forest green colors to celebrate.
This is not necessarily a testament to Braveheart, but to what the power of faith can accomplish in life. It was the greatest a gift a film (of all things) gave to me.

May 2000

Tony ...

Let me tell of my first experience seeing Braveheart. My wife and I had seen a preview for the movie but I had not done my usual homework before seeing the film. We had no idea what to expect except the preview looked pretty cool.
We decided to go to the local drive-in to see it. It was summer and we were dating so it seemed the logical choice at the time. Before arriving we had purchased one 64 oz soda for each of us. Being hot outside we had drank it all within an hour.
For quite a while the movie so mesmerized us that we didn't even notice the pain in our bladders. Then the movie had gone on about 90 mins and the soda kicked in. The real cruel bit of fate was the toilet was only about 100 yards away!
The movie so intrigued us that we waited as the pain became worse and worse and worse! We didn't want to miss a moment, so we suffered until the end. When we finallly made it to the toilet I was crying as I peed.
To this day I'm not sure if it was the pain I was in or the devastating movie. I challenge anyone anywhere to show me what could possibly be a better movie than this. As a big movie fan I've probably seen at least 3,000 movies. Braveheart is the finest piece of work in every category it could be considered. I have only seen it about 25 times because I have the VHS copy and I can't stand to see it denegrated in that format. I cannot wait until the movie finally comes out on DVD.
By the way AWESOME SITE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thanx,
Tony,
Las Vegas, Nevada

May 2000

Doug & Susan Hansen ...

BRAVEHEART WEDDING
"Gift of a Thistle" was played on the chancel. My wife did this for me - I knew nothing about it.
My wife, unbeknownst to me, had handkerchiefs embroidered with a thistle, her name and my name in Scottish Gaelic, and the date of our wedding (November 27, 1999).
When she went to her hotel room the night before the wedding, I sent her with a gift. It was a thistle, in full bloom, in glass.
During the reception "The Gift of a Thistle" was played, with only Susan and me on the floor, and I pinned a silver and amethyst thistle brooch on her. She knew nothing about it.
The Wallace sword is in my office ..........
The music hasn't stopped playing in four years ..........
Wait until you see the wedding video .........

27th April, 2000

Hi John and Linda:
I wanted to share with you our Braveheart experience, which was unbelievable.
We were married on November 27, 1999. We took great pains to get certain details just the way we dreamed of. Here was mine:
In thinking of the emotion that would naturally occur during our ceremony (we went through hell to be together), I quickly realized that we would need handkerchiefs at the altar (chancel). Knowing that Kleenex just wouldn't cut it, I decided to present my groom with a very rustic looking cloth. When I started to visualize it, I realized that I WAS GIVING HIM A GIFT. From there, I sought out an embroiderer, who stitched in a Scottish Thistle, the words A Gift of a Thistle and our names, all in Ancient Gaelic and our wedding date at the bottom. From there, it naturally progressed that I was giving him a Gift of a Thistle. In my original thought, all I was presenting was the cloth, but realized it required more.
Here is the clincher: (we think, anyhow)
Although we have seen this movie numerous times, for some reason, I NEVER NOTICED THAT SHE HAD PRESENTED WILLIAM WITH A HANDKERCHIEF AT THEIR WEDDING. I knew only of the cloth that he carried until his death, that I thought mistakenly was the one HE GAVE HER, RETURNING THE THISTLE WHEN HE BEGAN TO COURT HER!!!!!!!!
I cried when I realized this coincidence and swore allegiance to my husband that I had no idea of what she gave him.........I thought I just went with the idea of presenting my husband with an incredibly intimate gift at the moment of our vows!
By the way, as an addition, I secretly had our trumpeter play the first notes to A Gift of a Thistle, as I handed him his handkerchief. He was stunned, as he made ALL OF THE MUSICAL ARRANGEMENTS, INCLUDING THE TRUMPET!!!!
As a wedding gift to me, my husband presented me with a beautiful thistle under glass paperweight.......and then during a special dance at our reception, they played Gift of a Thistle to my surprise and he pinned on a sterling silver and amethyst (my birthstone) thistle pin on my wedding gown.
Our guests could not believe the irony of how our gifts were secretive, unknown to anyone and completely related!!!!
It doesn't get more romantic than that.
When I can, I will send pictures of the items.
Sincerely
Mrs. Susan J. Hansen Hopewell Junction, New York

12th May, 2000

Eric Esculier ...

HI ! I am Erick, I am French, so excuse me for my bad English !
Before the movie BRAVEHEART, I didn't like historical movies.
Before BRAVEHEART, I didn't like Mel GIBSON's movies.
Before BRAVEHEART I knew nothing about William Wallace and Scotland's history.
But when I saw the movie in video, I became a fan of Mel. I can appreciate this kind of movie and I learnt a lot about this part of Scotland's history.
It's one of the best movies I've ever seen in my life. One day, I will visit this country and discover the beautiful plots there, meet people there too. See You soon !!

April 2000

Margaret Dilley ...

Dear Braveheart Enthusiasts, It was indeed an experience for me, (and a bloody amusing one), to discover that there is a page of Braveheart Experiences.
I happened upon it whilst searching for information on my ancestor, the admirable Edward Longshanks. You probably don't wish to accept that the whole depiction of William Wallace in the film is very dodgy historically, although I imagine that the facts of the matter cannot really have escaped you.
Of course, Wallace was born at Hatfield House in Hertfordshire and received his education as the second son of a Nobleman. He certainly did not originate from some straw-topped croft or teach himself languages. In fact, he simply sought to exploit the simple minds of the Scottish peasantry to his own advantage - albeit less effectively than Bruce or the King. Obviously this is not too difficult since Hollywood is doing it even now.
My advice to you on the issue of Scottish Nationalism, which you seem keen on (and jolly good luck to you), is to base it on something more tangible than these emotional and inaccurate ramblings. Wallace was a loser, and it would be very foolish to attach some romantic nonsense to him in order to mitigate that fact then follow his example.
The Scots are an admirable race. I advise you to start playing to your strengths and minimise your emotional weakness.

[That's us 'telt' then ... J&L ]

April 2000

Sheila Rhoades ...

Three years ago I went to Scotland on my own Braveheart quest. I visited Stirling and came upon the Guildhall. Inside, there was placed against the wall, a gothic looking chair with a piece of paper taped to the seat. It read "Mel Gibson sat here". Mr. Gibson had been at a reception in the Guildhall for the opening of Braveheart. Of course I took a photo of the chair - funny!
Another wonderful place to see is Dunnottar Castle in Stonehaven, where Wallace laid siege. Interesting note - this is also the castle used in Mel Gibson's "Hamlet". All Braveheart fans should visit the Wallace Memorial plaque on St. Bartholomew's Hospital wall in London - the site of his execution. Very moving indeed.
Sheila Rhoades in St. Louis

April 2000

Regretably I never saw Braveheart at the cinemas, which I think would have been even better than my many video viewings.
There have been many praises for James Horner's music on this website and I can relate to them all as I was first introduced to Braveheart when I was captivated by the main theme playing in a CD store or something.
I asked the store owner what the music was and, grinning, he said it was Braveheart - his personal favourite. We got to talking and it was soon clear to me that I was not going to be able to force myself out of that shop until I'd bought that music. This I did and was soon entranced by the score so much that I took the store owners advice and went in search of the film that afternoon.
I couldn't find it in the local video store and actually went through a minor panic phase - it was really wierd. Anyway, It seems odd but I loved the music so much that I ended up going back to the CD store that afternoon and buying the film, never having seen it. The store owner didn't seem the least suprised by my desperate return and told me to get home quickly so I could watch it.
This I did, and after a movie eperience parallel to none
I've ever had before, I've never looked back. I even
re-wound the last five minutes or so - with the execution and the Bannockburn sequence -    so that I could watch them again. I LOVE THIS FILM.

"ALBA GA BRA", Marcus [Scot/Aussie and proud of it!].

April 2000

Hello MacBraveHeart,
This is a big thrill for me to find people as inspired by Braveheart as I was.
I'm new to the internet, and can't believe the information and the contact with like-minded people there is.
I am a Scot of Scottish birth living in England but only  through circumstance and not choice.
I saw Braveheart at the cinema in 1996 and it really set my blood pumping and stirred that 'proud to be Scottish'  feeling that only Scots seem to possess. I am a member of the Wallace Society and have attended their Wallace Day commemoration in Elderslie. I spoke to David Ross and have also written to him a few times. I have a replica of the Braveheart sword (although not the Wallace sword but still quite impressive).
Keep your fantastic website going as I know I will be a  frequent visitor.

February 2000

I lived in Scotland for two years and I learned to appreciate first hand the love and beauty of the country and her people.  Everytime I see the movie it reminds of the passion, strength, and attitude of those wonderful Scots.  I hope other people will be able to experience the people who inspired Braveheart as I did.

November 1999

Hi, it's great to know that we have a GREAT site to visit re: Braveheart which must be the greatest movie ever made, and by the look of the other letters you've received I'm not alone with this opinion. It really got to me reading letters from so many people from all over the world, who
have been sending in their thoughts on the movie. I am from Glasgow (Scotland), I am 50 years of age, married with two grown up daughters who in turn have their own kids, but if anyone wishes to  e-mail me me please feel free to do so.
My own experience of the movie was that I eventually ran out of people to take to see it!! And my "party piece" was Wallace's speech at the battle of Stirling. Mel Gibson done a wonderful job of portraying the great man, and really I can't think of any Scottish actor (other than perhaps Sean Connery) who could have done any better. Some people
commented that Mel's Scottish accent was a bit dodgy; so what? As far as I was concerned he done well.
Keep up the good work and please let me know if there is another convention, and I look forward to hearing from anyone who wishes to write.
All the best, Duncan.

August 1999

At the end of every year the high school that I attend holds a huge blow-out concert featuring all the fine arts departments. The band always plays the music themes from a well known movie while a small drama with scenes from the movie takes place. I am a member of the orchestra and a school club called LARPS (Live Action Role Playing Society). When we heard that the orchestra was playing the themes from Braveheart, another LARPS and orchestra member and I immediately decided to get the club involved. I was one of two people who organized the enitre thing. We organized the music, the scenes, the actors, and the nationally and internationally know bagpiper who played for us. Along with organizing it, I also acted as Murron. I was very pleased with the end result and am proud to say that I was a part of it.
K. Jacobson
Tucson, Arizona, USA

June 1999

I'm an American of highlander descent, and spent the last couple of years researching my family, which originated in the glens around Glen Shee. I had discovered where they lived, found the ship's passengers logs for them, etc., all very exciting for a bagpipe-playing, trying-to-learn-Gaelic Yank like me. I LOVED Braveheart (I only see one or two movies a year, and this was "big" enough to be one of them). Then, two Novembers ago, I had the opportunity of a lifetime: I got to take my entire family to Scotland for two weeks. Now before going, I can remember a high school acquaintance, many years ago, telling me about his greatest "high" - he climbed a pyramid in Egypt, and smoked pot while listening to Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon! I remember that sounded pretty awesome, but never aspired to "matching" him. However, that November day, I drove up A93 towards little Glen Shee to find my ancestor's homelands. Just as we came up on a rise, I saw a bunch of stuff at once - a little sign telling me I was "there," a huge mist crawling over huge, yellow-larch and green-spruce and red-heathered covered mountains, the site of my clan's gatherings, and THEN, - with the soundtrack to Braveheart in my car's tape deck - the music of the Main Theme crescendoed as the panarama opened around me. it was absolutley BREATHTAKING. (Clint, you can keep the pyramids!). I will NEVER forget it, and it truly cemented something in this gaelic Soul!
Thom Simmons

June 1999

Great site!   The collaborative effort of the people who had a hand in creating this movie is phenomenal.  I was enthralled by the movie and like many others have said, "felt like I was there!".  Joy, happiness, shocking tragedy, numbing pain are but a few of the human emotions and situations that Mel Gibson painted vividly within the character of William Wallace.   They could find no better in choosing James Horner to score this movie with his heart wrenching music.  I love the soundtrack as much as the movie, its very hard to find music that can put a lump in your throat just by the feeling it causes!  This is destined to be a classic that can and will be enjoyed by those of all ages because human emotion spans all generations.  Keep up the great site!   I'll close with the one line that stuck with me from the movie.

"Every man dies, but not every man really lives."

Jeff

May 1999

The first time I saw Braveheart I was captivated.  I didn't get out of the seat of the theater for like ten minutes.  I never felt so strongly about a film, it was amazing.    I got the chills over 10 times during the movie, and I got teary.  In all the times I have watched, I never stopped getting the chills.

May 1999

I was living for a semester in Ireland and had taken a camping trip to the Wicklow mountains where some scenes from Braveheart were shot. My two girlfriends and I were drinking in a local pub and tolerating the drunken interest the lads took in three foreign girls. One gentleman had an especially memorable line. He walked up to us and after trying the usual hey-how-are-ye banter, and said: "did ye know I was in Braveheart?" Well, this got our attention. He said they had auditioned for extras among the locals, and that he had appeared in a scene. When we asked him what he did in the movie, he smiled charmingly and said "I showed me arse."

May 1999

Oh, God where do I start? I was IN Scotland while they were filming but passed up an invitation to go to Ft. William and watch! I wasn't too high on Mel Gibson's Filmography at the time and wasn't even looking forward to the movie - although I'd made an intense study of evil Edward I and what he did to Wales in 1282 for years. If you love the history of William Wallace go directly to the Library now and find about Llywelyn the Great and Llywellyn the Last and what the Welsh suffered at the hands of Edward I. Because of him, they lost their independence completely. Check out Sharon Kay Penman's books for a stirring fictional acount. But anyway, FOOL me!

Ironically, I wound up seeing it on the first night it opened. Gibson blew me away. I couldn't believe what an AMAZING real performance he gave. I still can't believe it! And he directed himself!!! Brilliant!!!!! I saw it in the theater NINE times thereafter - I hadn't repeated a movie experience like that since Return of the Jedi when I was ten! The best movie experience of my life was the fourth time - when we snuck Goldschlager into the theater. I was roaring drunk and my emotions were flying all over the place. Also, Angus MacFadyen is not only terribly sexy, but a wonderful, wonderful, actor. I can't believe the career choices/errors he's made since this magnificient performance that held so much promise. My friends and I quote the movie to this day incessantly. My friend keeps a piece of paper in her pen called 'the secret kind.' I don't even remember why. I say, 'aye' all the time. "No, you're gonta live." "Have the courage to follow it." "It matters not. He is your king." "Did God make you the sacker of peaceful cities?" "Attack." are some of the most frequently used. I remember the Rockets won their second championship that year and we went to watch all the playoff games with our hair in "braveheart braids" and I would wear my Rocket's t-shirt slung across my chest like a kilt. But it didn't stop there. We would put the blue stuff you rub onto pool sticks, the resin I guess, all over our face like war paint. And we won! And I met Kenny Smith the night after the win and I told him he had to see Braveheart. That's all I could think to say to an NBA star!

We're going to Scotland this summer and plan to hit all the Braveheart sights that I foolishly missed the first time. I had a similar experience to the woman above in that when I saw it, I was going through a bad break up and I too lamented "I don't need this! I need a man who loves me like William Wallace. Enough to start a war for me." Well, he apparently doesn't exist or is dead. The soundtrack should've won the Oscar, it's ten thousand times better than Horner's Titanic exhibition. Thank God Celine Idiot Dion didn't sing a Braveheart-themed song. I would have died. However, there is a dance mix out there believe it or not. Anyway, this is the best modern movie of our time. Stunning. It has everything. I put it second only to Lawrence of Arabia.
And some days I don't even do that!

The best!

Renee Nynaeve
Who Has No Scottish Blood in her whatsoever

May 1999

As I watched the movie I was completely immersed in the experience. I suspended all of disbelief and was 'there' in a sense that I cannot remember ever having in a movie theatre. At the end of the movie, I was unable to
stand and simply sat and wept for about five minutes. Later, in the car on the way home, I continued to weep. This was such a profound experience for me that I began to do some research on the story and on William Wallace. Sure enough, I discovered through my family history that the MacKinnon's (McKinnon's) had surely been a part of the battle to win the Scot's freedom.
I knew I was there in some way or shape - but this information helped to explain the depth of my feeling during the movie. I have seen the movie about five times, each time the emotional wallop is lessened, but still quite
pronounced. I am also immersed in the Scottish culture as I am a certified Scottish Highland Dancing Teacher in California.

Thank you for this forum.

This story occured a few months after I had ended a three year relationship. I was quite disillusioned with men in general and to cheer myself up I watched Braveheart at least twice a week (after all, where else can you see real men in kilts these days?). Well, my greatest help after the breakup was my best friend, Scott. He listened to me whine and whimper for weeks after the breakup. One of my most common gripes was, "Where's my William Wallace? Where's a guy that would love me enough to fight a war to avenge my death?" Scott patiently
listened to my heartaches and helped me through my darkest moments.
Several months later, it was becoming ever clearer that I was falling in love with Scott. As we sat at a coffee shop late one Sunday night, we discussed the intensity of our friendship and how much each of us valued the other. I knew that if I didn't tell him how I felt then, I never would be able to, so I took a deep breath and told him, "Scott,
I think I'm falling in love with you." I'll never forget his reaction. He put his head down into his hands for a moment, then looked up at me and put out his hand and said the words that captured my heart. He said, "Nice to meet you. I'm your William Wallace."
Neither Scott or I have ever been this happy. We watch Braveheart together at least twice a month. I even gave him a thistle once, which he pressed and gave back to me. It is one of my most precious possessions. Whoever said that chivalry is dead never met my William Wallace.

Kati
Phoenix, Arizona USA

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