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 | Scot | 13th Century | Fight

Awards:

Won 5 Oscars. Another 15 wins & 20 nominations

Cast

Mel Gibson	...	William Wallace
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 Campbell
Gerda Stevenson	...	Mother MacClannough
Ralph Riach	...	Priest #1
Mhairi Calvey	...	Young Murron MacClannough
Brian Cox	...	Argyle Wallace
Patrick McGoohan	...	Longshanks, King Edward I
Peter Hanly	...	Edward, Prince of Wales
Sophie Marceau	...	Princess Isabelle

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:

Wallace's real wife was named Marian, but it was changed to Murron to avoid confusion with the Robin Hood character of the same name.

Goofs:

Factual errors: It is a widely accepted historical fact that woad (the blue face-paint Wallace and his men wear during battle scenes) was not used by Scottish warriors during the 13th century, but was in fact used much earlier by ancient Celtic warriors, and was obsolete by Wallace's time.

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 "The Simpsons: Beyond Blunderdome (#11.1)" (1999)

One of the best modern movies of time

I'm talking just in the 90's. The 90's were a great time for the movies, we had so many memorable one's and there is no doubt that "Braveheart" is one of them. "Braveheart" is one of my favorite movies that never gets old. Despite it's long running time, I will watch this movie any day.

Mel Gibson has come so far in the movie business and he not only stars but directed Braveheart. He did a terrific job and deserves a lot of credit for this remarkable film. Despite it not being totally accurate with history, anyone can enjoy "Braveheart". Based on the life story of William Wallace, a town peasant who just wants to live in peace and harmony with a wife and children. But when the British king of England, Longshanks, is sick of Scotland "being full of Scots", he comes up with a way of bringing them more into a British land by "breeding them out". Promising any British soldier to a Scotish bride on her wedding night before her husband can have her. Wallace won't hear of it and marries his love in secret. When a British soldier notices his wife and attempts to rape her, Wallace comes in and saves her causing a riot in their village and he thinks he's got her safe when he sends her away from the soldiers, but they catch her and kill her right in front of her family.

Wallace has had it and wants war for not only the murder of his wife and love, he wants freedom for Scotland and will shed blood to do it. "What will you do without freedom?!", this is one of the most memorable speeches of all cinematic history during their first major battle with the British. Through countless battles, friends, traitors, and bloodshed, all Wallace just wishes for is freedom. As Robert the Bruce says to his father "They look at him and fight by his side." He describes Wallace's bravery and what everyone feels in wanting to be him. I love Robert's last line "You have bled with Wallace! Now bleed with me!" and the army stands and continues their struggling battles for freedom! This is such an inspirational movie with a powerful message "Every man dies, but not every man really lives" to a tearful ending that will make anyone shed a tear to a terrific heartfelt sound track, it's no wonder this won best picture with other Oscars. This is a movie, a terrific one that everyone should enjoy and watch.

10/10