Write up for my round 1 pick:
Braveheart - (1995, Mel Gibson)
This is possibly my favourite film. Although a Scottish story, it was made in Ireland and resonates with the Irish as we grow up listening to nationalistic stories and histories and songs about 800 years of suppression and betrayal at the hands of our more powerful neighbour. It's film that makes me want to go back in time and die for the chance of one day of freedom even though I haven't known a day without it.
It's not exactly historically accurate, rather has many elements that are inspired by true events. I love the harrowing opening sequence where Wallace as a child finds his father killed. The early love story is excellent. The battle scenes have dated a bit, but are still better than most cgi-improved ones. Lots of funny bits to relieve tension whether it's mooning the enemy army or having a mad Irishman as a lieutenant. The one misstep is putting the english queen in the story; the english king edward longshanks and his son are excellently portrayed.
The ending is both sad and a triumph. Frrreeeeedooomm.