
Braveheart
1995, Drama/History, 2h 57m
83 Reviews 250,000+ RatingsWhat to know
critics consensus
Distractingly violent and historically dodgy, Mel Gibson's Braveheart justifies its epic length by delivering enough sweeping action, drama, and romance to match its ambition. Read critic reviews
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Movie Info
Cast & Crew
William Wallace
Princess Isabelle
Longshanks - King Edward I
Murron MacClannough
Hamish Campbell
Campbell
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Critic Reviews for Braveheart
All Critics (83) | Top Critics (31) | Fresh (65) | Rotten (18)
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Though Gibson's film isn't smart on this subject or even really aware of it, it has few modern rivals as an example of the ways a movie can rend history into compellingly simplistic myth.
May 27, 2020 | Full Review… -
The ideological project of Braveheart is to valorise both Wallace and the Bruce as Scottish national heroes. This is done in the crudest possible way.
February 6, 2020 | Full Review… -
Braveheart is a big, strapping medieval sword-and-arrow movie with more fighting than romance, a surprising abundance of lush and sensuous imagery considering its brutal strife, and Gibson fiercely inciting it to stand up and march.
April 27, 2018 | Full Review… -
In the absence of satisfying moral dilemmas, Braveheart is an action film with an unhappy ending rather than the tragedy it would like to be.
March 1, 2018 | Full Review… -
As the star of the new, epic-scaled Braveheart, Gibson celebrates yet another man of selfless valor. And as its director, he displays some daring of his own.
February 24, 2014 | Rating: 3/4 | Full Review… -
A lavish, entertaining spectacle full of manly men, dastardly villains, rousing battles and women who easily see Mel's hero potential through all that messy hair.
February 24, 2014 | Rating: 3/4 | Full Review…
Audience Reviews for Braveheart
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Sep 18, 2015One of if not the best Mel Gibson film starred and directed, In this near 3 hour film we expect some down time but in the first 30 minutes we have no real plot just a love story, But when it ends in tragedy finally the film starts, With some great very realistic battle scenes and for a while it's just battle scenes, Then betrayal happens and we have down time but we are so sucked into the story by then it's gripping and emotional, Mel Gibson was fantastic with his acting and directing, He made the filthy gritty 13th century come alive, My only downfall is it's too long and bum numbing but it's a classic and a must watch before you die.Jamie C Super Reviewer
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Sep 17, 2015An engaging and romantic historical fantasy epic -- one that has a tie to the personal and feels sincere.Kyle M Super Reviewer
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Dec 29, 2013"Every man dies, not every man really lives." The Academy Award winning war epic Braveheart is an extraordinary film that set a new bar for the genre. The story follows a Scottish peasant named William Wallace who's pushed into leading a rebellion against the tyranny of English rule when his wife is murdered. Starring Mel Gibson, Patrick McGoohan, Sophie Marceau, and Brendan Gleeson, the film has a strong cast that delivers outstanding performances. Additionally, the battle sequences are remarkably gritty and violent, which adds to the authentic tone of the film. And, composer James Horner provides a sweeping and majestic score that's incredibly powerful. A groundbreaking film, Braveheart does an exceptional job at depicting both the valor and the horror of war.Dann M Super Reviewer
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Sep 04, 2013I could still remember on how reposeful I am while watching this movie. It's music sips through my ear, enters me, moved me, and almost tear me up. 'Braveheart' managed to sweep through with romance, drama and war. An undeniably immense picture, it is one of few epics that could possibly move millions. The film grabbed five academy awards including best picture. In my personal opinion, the most memorable element of 'Braveheart' is it's music, which was being composed by the talented James Horner. I have to admit that I am slightly puzzled with it; at times it feels like a genuine Scottish music, but also at the same time it feels like a plain modern music, but either way it is beautiful. I am going to put aside any sense of familiarity here, but whenever the music is being played, my love for this film grows. Also, I honestly believe that if this charming music is absent, the picture would not be so memorable. Acting performances are good, but not outstanding. Patrick McGoohan's work for this film did hold my attention. He played the main villain of the story named King Edward "Longshanks". Surely, what excites me was his approach for the character; a cool, quiet, and methodically behaved, and at the same time, a cold and violent human being. He might be labelled as coward or a hypocrite, but assuredly, this "Longshanks" character is a pretty good villain. The film has great cinematography too. Shots are so subtle and are near perfection. Hands down, the movie is being effectively photographed. Battle sequences are so well executed, and one fact that I massively admire about this film is that there is no CGI involved. Unlike some modern war films, fighting scenes are so believable and engaging, and yes, realism is there. Absolutely, these mentioned praises would be missing without Mel Gibson's precious direction. A major let-down would be the inconsistency which lies in the contents of the story. I would be reluctant to mention specifically on which part of the plot is flawed, but they are simply too abrupt, unbelievable and most importantly, overly dramatic. It tastes like it's storyline is being shifted away from the right track. 'Braveheart' is one of those few films that is so ambitious and sets it's bar so high, and delivered. Handsomely mounted, 'Braveheart' is positively one of the most memorable films of 1990s. [3/4]Alex D Super Reviewer
Braveheart Quotes
William Wallace: | They may take away our lives, but they'll never take our freedom! |
Malcolm Wallace: | I know you can fight, but it's our wits that make us men. |
William Wallace: | I am William Wallace. And I see a whole army of my countrymen, here in defiance of tyranny! You have come to fight as free men. And free man you are! What will you do without freedom? Will you fight?! |
Young Soldier: | No, we wil run and live! |
William Wallace: | Yes!, Fight and you may die. Run and you will live at least awhile. And dying in your bed many years from now, would you be willing to trade all the days from this day to that for one chance, just one cahnce, to come back here as young men and tell our enemies that they may take our lives but they will never take our freedom!!! |
William Wallace: | Yes!, Fight and you may die. Run and you will live at least awhile. And dying in your bed many years from now, would you be willing to trade all the days from this day to that for one chance, just one cahnce, to come back here as young men and tell our enemies that they may take our lives but they will never take our freedom! |
William Wallace: | In The Year Of Our Lord 1314, Patriots Of Scotland, Starving And Outnumbered, Charged The Fields Of Bannockburn, They Fought Like Warrior Poets, The Fought Like Scotsman, And Won Their Freedom. |
William Wallace: | In the year of our Lord 1314, patriots of Scotland, starving and outnumbered, charged the fields of Bannockburn. They fought like warrior poets. They fought like Scotsmen and they won their freedom. Forever! |
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