Home
Braveheart

Page

Braveheart

Summary
How to watch
News & features

❚ We may earn commission from links on this page. Our editorial is always independent (learn more).

Watch trailer

02:55

Braveheart

Name: Braveheart
Director: Mel Gibson
Genre: Drama, War, History
Released: 1995
Duration: 2 h 59 min
Cast: Mel Gibson, Sophie Marceau, Patrick McGoohan, Catherine McCormack, Brendan Gleeson

Save

Drama
War

1995
Mel Gibson
179 mins
15

Summary

Oscar-winning historical drama directed by and starring Mel Gibson. Scotland at the end of the 13th century: the young William Wallace sees his father and brother killed by the English. Later, when his sworn enemies execute his wife, Wallace leads the clans in the fight for Scottish independence.

IMDB

Review

A star rating of 4 out of 5.

Tom Hutchinson

Mel Gibson directs this 13th-century saga of Scottish revolt against English tyranny with a claymore-like flourish, defying the criticism that there are moments as bogus as plastic haggis. He also stars, portraying William Wallace as a medieval, woad-smeared Mad Max-like hero, a rebel leader and rabble rouser, an intrepid champion from the mould of Hollywood heroes, made believable by the grace of the star. However, if he's a wartime resistance leader in the style of Robin Hood with a comely Maid Marion in the shape of Sophie Marceau then Patrick McGoohan as the villainous King Edward "Longshanks" is a jeering, sneering cliché too far - the Sheriff of Nottingham with his own portable torture chamber. As director, Gibson's control over thousands of extras, in the swift succession of gruesome hand-to-hand battles, is as effective as anything in Laurence Olivier's Henry V. But when the action moves in for the emotional kill, the film loses credibility - Wallace's disdain at his own disembowelment being a prime example. Yet, for all its stereotypes and disparities, there is a nicely judged air of political cynicism, as noblemen switch allegiances as easily as horses. It succeeds in bringing to life the reality of Scottish patriotism and brilliantly captures the spirit of revolution. Little wonder it won an Oscar for best picture.

imdb-square

8.3/10

How to watch

Loading

Streaming

Credits

Cast

rolenameWilliam WallaceMel GibsonPrincess IsabelleSophie Marceau"Longshanks", King Edward IPatrick McGoohanMurronCatherine McCormackHamishBrendan GleesonCampbellJames CosmoStephenDavid O'HaraRobert the BruceAngus MacFadyenLeperIan BannenPrince EdwardPeter HanlyMalcolm WallaceSean LawlorArgyle WallaceBrian Cox (1)MornayAlun Armstrong