The films Brave Heart and Gladiator share a number of similarities and differences in comparison to one another. Brave Heart gives the viewer a more emotive feeling when watching the film scene to scene. Gladiator, on the other hand, is intense in its politics and harsh colors from the first frame. The score of Brave Heart is peaceful and gives the viewer a sense of understanding of each characterâs motivations. Gladiator, utilizes more dramatic music even in scenes where the fighting has ended. The editing choices in both movies are different as well. In Gladiator some shots are slowed down and in Brave Heart the pacing feels more contained. Both movies share a passionate protagonist who believes in fighting to avenge what he feels was taken from him. How each of the protagonists go about doing that is what makes both stories different and compelling.
On the flip side, there color pallets are almost exactly opposite. Brave Heart utilizes a lot of cool colors such as greens and blues, where as Gladiator uses red or orange tones. These colors represent a number of subjects. The choice of blues and greens in Brave Heart shows that Scotland is a very peaceful place to live. Similarly, the reds and oranges in Gladiator represents the intensely hot climate and the fluctuating conflict. While there are greens and blues in Gladiator, they are extremely muted and dull compared to the popping cool colors in Brave Heart. However, the colors of both films are multilayered as well. One of the few times colors of conflict are shown in Brave Heart is when the enemies are on screen. They are always wearing red and dark silver armor whereas the Scottish are wearing blue and green colors, which is a visual representation of conflict. Basically, the Scottish are fighting from a peaceful perspective and the antagonist isnât. Generally, in film, red is regarded as a sign of conflict where as blue is considered a neutral color and green is somewhere in between. The colors the characterâs wear is a visual representation of the goals of the Scottish versus the British. You can speculate that since the landscape of Scotland is green, the argument could be made that Scotland as a country becomes a character. This color choice shows that the landscapes themselves are neutral when it comes to the fighting. One of the few times the landscape changes color is during the shots that contain blue contrast. Basically, these green landscapes are still present but the shot takes place later in the day or during rain fall. Â
There are also some scenes in Gladiator during the second and third act where narrow key lighting is utilized but the outside light source is overexposed. Due to the older structures and recreations the project was filmed at, the overexposure was going to be an issue whether it was filmed on digital or film. Â A lot of the locations they used are Roman landmarks, where because they are older buildings lighting them will be difficult. As the film progresses, any cool colors that were utilized in Maximusâs story seeming take a back seat to show the intensity of his situation. The shadows arenât as harsh and more shots take place outside. However, the natural landscape changes from muted and bland to bright red and orange, which could represent the urgency within the character. In the political subplots, there are more blue colors that are apparent, but from a story perspective I find it interesting because by this point you realize these politicians arenât neutral, theyâre corrupt.
Compared to Gladiator, the score is peaceful and calming but this is because the politics of both movies are different. In Gladiator, the soundtrack is intense and fierce even if there is little conflict in a scene. However, this difference could also be because the imperialism in Brave Heart is just beginning and in Gladiator itâs ending. There is a scene in Brave Heart where the screen is lit with harsh orange colors from torches. The scene was shot at night, and normally this would insist there is conflict on screen; the music suggests otherwise. The scene is intended to be a farewell to a character that died, and although the colors may suggest conflict, the music tells the viewer the conflict has passed. The music serves as an additional purpose in the battle sequences. In each battle sequence, though the scenes may be brutal, the music justifies the cause the Scottish are fighting for. The score for Gladiator gives the listener more of an unsettling feeling. The music doesnât sound peaceful even when there are scenes with little or no conflict.
In terms of plot, the main similarity between the two films is the time period; one film is set in ancient Rome and one is set in Scotland during the dark ages. While these time periods may not be exactly the same, itâs still easy to draw comparisons through color and locations. Both films have scenes that take place in a castle with dim or very little lighting, and both have scenes that take place outside during a battle sequence with warm colors. Â
One of the saddest parts of Brave Heart is the introduction to the character of William Wallace as a kid. Through editing and the musical score, we feel the emotion of Wallace not being ready to fight for his country. The scene also cuts back between his father John Wallace who wants him to stay at the family farm rather than fight. Through the editing choices every shot we see Williamâs father fades farther and and farther into the background. All of these choices evoke the feeling that this is the last time we will see this character alive.
Another key scene that is showcased through editing is William Wallaceâs transition into a ruthless killer. Right before the character drastically changes, he tries to escape the British with his wife, because she hit a British soldier to avoid rape. Wallace escapes unharmed, but when his wife doesnât return it becomes the turning point for character. It takes the viewer a few moments to notice this, because when he returns all the shots are slowed down, and the editor chose to create tension by cutting back and forth between the British and Williamâs now aggressive facial expression. And when a British officer goes to arrest him, the shots speed back to full motion and Wallace, along with the rest of the town, kill all the opposing soldiers.
The first time I watched both these movies I remember tears were dripping from my eyes like crazy. And regardless of cinematic elements, I have have always felt as though when a movie makes you cry it is powerful and moving in some way. These cinematic elements can help you achieve this goal, but if the message or performance isnât convincing whatâs the point of all that hard work? The camera and lighting can add to the symbolism of a films theme, but the performance and direction should be what engages a general audience.
Both films have similar juxtaposition when it comes to lighting, color and plot. And both films display an extreme example of how politics can easily alter someoneâs life for the worse. However, the powerful message they both share is the idea that itâs more important to die for what you believe in than to be afraid to address the problem exists. In Gladiator, Maximus fights from a point of resignation whereas William Wallace fights to avenge. Although both characters may have been fighting in different circumstances, neither of them gave up until the end. Both films show this idea in different ways but I think this can be applied to everyday life in a less extreme way. Donât be afraid to stand up for what you believe in, even if the odds seem like theyâre against you.
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