Braveheart (1995)

Director:

Mel Gibson

Writer (WGA):

Randall Wallace (written by)

Release Date:

24 May 1995 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Biography | Drama | History | War

Tagline:

The courage to face fear

Plot:

William Wallace, a commoner, unites the 13th Century Scots in their battle to overthrow English rule.

Plot Keywords:

English | Scotland | Fight | 13th Century | Scot

Awards:

Won 5 Oscars. Another 15 wins & 20 nominations

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

James Robinson	...	Young William Wallace
Sean Lawlor	...	Malcolm Wallace
Sandy Nelson	...	John Wallace
James Cosmo	...	Campbell
Sean McGinley	...	MacClannough
Alan Tall	...	Elder Stewart
Andrew Weir	...	Young Hamish
Gerda Stevenson	...	Mother MacClannough
Ralph Riach	...	Priest No. 1
Mhairi Calvey	...	Young Murron
Brian Cox	...	Argyle Wallace
Patrick McGoohan	...	Longshanks - King Edward I
Peter Hanly	...	Prince Edward
Sophie Marceau	...	Princess Isabelle
Stephen Billington	...	Phillip

Also Known As:

MPAA:

Rated R for brutal medieval warfare.

Runtime:

177 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English | French | Latin | Scottish Gaelic

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital

Certification:

Canada:13+ (Quebec) | Singapore:M18 (re-rating) | Philippines:R-18 | Malaysia:18SG | Brazil:16 | France:U (with warning) | New Zealand:R16 | Argentina:16 | Australia:MA | Belgium:KT | Canada:18A (DVD rating) | Chile:14 | Finland:K-16 | Germany:16 (w) | Hong Kong:IIB | Iceland:16 | Ireland:15 (cut) | Netherlands:16 | Norway:18 | Peru:14 | Portugal:M/12 | Singapore:PG (cut) | South Korea:15 (original rating) | South Korea:18 (DVD rating) | Spain:18 | Sweden:15 | UK:15 (cut) | USA:R (certificate #33700) | Greece:K-13 | Canada:R (Ontario)

Filming Locations:

Aonach Eagach, Highland, Scotland, UK

Company:

Icon Entertainment International

Trivia:

Writer Randall Wallace initially planned to start the story with William Wallace as an adult and added the prologue of his childhood only as an afterthought. As the sequence was first written, Murran gave William a rose (rather than a thistle) at his father's burial; however, someone who read the script helpfully pointed out that the rose, being a traditional symbol of England, would be (to say the least) somewhat inappropriate as a prominent feature in the story.

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: During the battle at Falkirk, a string can be seen attached to the end of the arrow that goes into Morrison.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Narrator:I shall tell you of William Wallace. Historians from England will say I am a liar, but history is written by those who have hanged heroes. The king of Scotland had died without a son, and the king of England, a cruel pagan known as Edward the Longshanks...
[...]

Movie Connections:

Spoofed in "Dawson's Creek: Beauty Contest (#1.12)" (1998)

Somewhere between "Bravo" and "Whoa."

I saw this film for the first time on cable, and, fortunately, it was an "uncut" version. I was greatly impacted, but, as bad luck would have it, I would not see it again for two years.

Mel Gibson is an accomplished actor, with films like "Mad Max" and "Lethal Weapon" under his belt. "Ransom" showed he was more than just a quirky role actor, but it was "Braveheart" that proved to everyone that he was a great actor... and director.

What he has envisioned and ensnared on camera is one of the great cinematic achievements of all time, and at an awkward time, too. Looking back at previous years at the Oscars, and you have "Schindler's List," "Dances with Wolves," and "Unforgiven." Looking ahead, you have "Titanic," "Shakespeare in Love," and "Gladiator." These are all period pieces. Right smack dab in the middle is "Braveheart." It is the most simple of the films above, yet it is arguably the best. None will argue its impact is greater than "Schindler's List" nor its power greater than "Unforgiven," but what it has, more than any of those other films, is heart. Much like his "Passion of the Christ," Mel Gibson brings a passion to this film, and that is what sustains it.

Mel Gibson plays William Wallace, a well-educated Scottish peasant who is determined to lead a peaceful life. Well, if you've seen the poster for this film, you probably already know that he doesn't succeed. When a law is put into place that says English noblemen have first right to lay with Scottish brides, Wallace marries in secret. But, when it is found out, a local noble attempts to take Murron, Wallace's wife, she resists, leading to a gruesome execution. With little choice, Wallace opts for vengeance, and thus begins the journey of Scotland's greatest warrior.

This is a wonderfully acted, directed, photographed, and designed film with great performances, particularly from a breathtakingly beautiful Sophie Marceau, and I recommend it wholeheartedly.