A massive, sweaty, frequently silly epic that nevertheless delivers enough brute pleasure to pass a rainy afternoon.
Braveheart (1995)
Tomatometer
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Reviews Counted:46
Fresh:35
Rotten:11
Average Rating:7/10
Consensus: Simplistic Braveheart makes for a spirited, entertaining epic.
Runtime: 2 hrs 57 mins
Genre: Action/Adventure
Synopsis: Mel Gibson directs and stars in this Academy Award-winning epic based on the life of legendary thirteenth century Scottish hero William Wallace. Returning to his homeland following the death of an... Mel Gibson directs and stars in this Academy Award-winning epic based on the life of legendary thirteenth century Scottish hero William Wallace. Returning to his homeland following the death of an heirless king, Wallace (Mel Gibson) finds the political landscape precarious. Edward the Longshanks, King of England (Patrick McGoohan), has captured Scotland's throne and threatens the freedom of all Scottish people, as tyrannical policies instituted by the English plague the Scots. Initially, Wallace is content to stand by the wayside, yearning for the simple life of building a home and raising a family. However, when the woman he loves (Catherine McCormack) suffers a cruel fate at the hands of English soldiers, Wallace takes a stand against the new rule. With his fierce patriotism and determination, he gathers an amateur but passionately rebellious army. Although this makeshift force may be outnumbered by the English troops, their desperation and love for their land surpass any military maneuvers, as evidenced in the film's breathtaking battle sequences. [More]
Starring: Mel Gibson, Sophie Marceau, Patrick McGoohan, Catherine McCormack
Starring: Mel Gibson, Sophie Marceau, Patrick McGoohan, Catherine McCormack, Brendan Gleeson, Sean Lawlor
Director: Mel Gibson
Director: Mel Gibson
Producer: Alan Ladd
Composer: James Horner
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Reviews for Braveheart
As far as a good old-fashioned story of historical oppression goes, it does sweep you up and entertain.
Mel Gibson's Braveheart is probably not good history, and it's no documentary -- but it sure makes great Hollywood cinema.
A huge, bloody and sprawling epic, Braveheart is the sort of massive vanity piece that would be easy to disparage if it didn't essentially deliver.
If you prefer your movies to be more than just one man's ego trip, it's an impediment to fully enjoying what is otherwise an awesome-looking and powerful bloody epic.
With a bit of restraint Gibson might have had a great movie here instead of merely a pretty good one.
At the heart of Mel Gibson's tumultuously entertaining epic is the almost-quaint notion that movie heroics should mean something more than a play for the much-coveted 18-25 box office demographic.
[Gibson] has created a completely adequate modern facsimile of the classic romantic epic.
Braveheart looks like a true epic -- even if it is both bloody and bloody long.
With its clashing armies, heartstopping action, and grand sense of romance, this is the sort of film it's a pleasure to see and review.
A great big splendorific Hollywood epic that's not exactly original or cliche-free, but fairly satisfying.
I continue to enjoy watching and re-watching it, and share much of Mel Gibson’s enthusiasm for his project.
There's a matter-of-fact grittiness about Braveheart that infects even its occasional touches of mysticism and photogenic romance.
Latest News for Braveheart
December 07, 2006:
Critical Consensus: "Apocalypto" Is Bloody Good; "Blood Diamond" Needs Polish; "Unaccompanied" Is Minor; "Holiday" Is So-So
This week at the movies, we've got declining civilizations ("Apocalypto," directed by Mel Gibson), conflict diamonds ("Blood Diamond," starring Leonardo... More...
December 21, 2005:
Trailer Bulletin: Apocalypto
That unpredictable ol' Mel Gibson has some a new movie brewin'. It's called "Apocalypto," and it looks like it hopes to be a big player in next summer's movie wars.... More...
July 22, 2005:
Mel Gibson to Direct "Apocalypto" Now
Variety reports on the next project from director Mel Gibson, and it's some sort of ancient civilization action epic entitled "Apocalypto". Disney will distribute the... More...
December 06, 2004:
What's the Cheesiest Line?
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