Braveheart

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2:45

Braveheart

R

Released May 24, 1995

2h 57m

History

Drama

Biography

War

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

76%

Tomatometer

131 Reviews

85%

Popcornmeter

250,000+ Ratings

Tells the story of the legendary thirteenth century Scottish hero named William Wallace (Mel Gibson). Wallace rallies the Scottish against the English monarch and Edward I (Peter Hanly) after he suffers a personal tragedy by English soldiers. Wallace gathers a group of amateur warriors that is stronger than any English army.

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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.

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Harper Barnes

St. Louis Post-Dispatch

It's unclear when Mel Gibson became a combination of Sam Peckinpah and Akira Kurosawa, but there's no question that Braveheart is one of the best epic movies of the '90s... Scene after scene takes your breath away with its sometimes cruel beauty.

Nov 18, 2022

Full Review

Bob Fenster

Arizona Republic

In only his second film behind the camera, Gibson has crafted a historical epic, Braveheart, that stands tall among the biggest and the best: Lawrence of Arabia, Ben-Hur, El Cid.

Nov 18, 2022

Full Review

Ella Taylor

L.A. Weekly

Epic in length only and peppered with sniggering homophobia, the homage to Himself drags on for three hours going on three years.

Nov 18, 2022

Full Review

Marshall Fine

Journal News (Westchester, NY)

An ambitious and satisfying endeavor that establishes Mel Gibson as a director of strength and vision. Though his reach ultimately exceeds his grasp, it's a film that's worth the effort.

Rated: 3/4

Aug 7, 2025

Full Review

Tim Appelo

Oregonian

Gibson learned a thing or two working for geniuses such as George Miller and Peter Weir, but he never grasped how to build suspense by delayed revelation of plot information... He has an eye -- or Toll does -- but not a thought in his head.

Rated: 2.5/4

Aug 7, 2025

Full Review

Ed Bradley

Flint Journal

Braveheart has all the right ingredients for a rip-roaring saga, but Gibson overcooks the mix. The snail's-pace storytelling, overemphasis on scenery and awkward semi-mysticism scream "epic," but this film too often forgets to entertain.

Aug 7, 2025

Full Review

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Michael F

One of the best films ever made. Mel is fab.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/04/25

Full Review

Johannes S

An epic and inspiring story full of heart put to film! The historical inaccuracies are there, they don't make this masterpiece a tad less spectacular!

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

09/26/25

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andras gaspar p

This movie is my favourite movie.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/22/25

Full Review

Brendon E

A masterpiece of film.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/10/25

Full Review

Angelina v

Most beautiful film ever. Makes me want Scottish independence and I'm not even Scottish.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/08/25

Full Review

AmateurFilmmaker 2

I can see why this film won Oscars; its messages and final scene in particular resonate greatly. And it is pretty epic, too, though I don’t know if it should’ve won best picture.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

08/23/25

Full Review

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Braveheart: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

Tells the story of the legendary thirteenth century Scottish hero named William Wallace (Mel Gibson). Wallace rallies the Scottish against the English monarch and Edward I (Peter Hanly) after he suffers a personal tragedy by English soldiers. Wallace gathers a group of amateur warriors that is stronger than any English army.

Director: Mel Gibson
Producer: Bruce Davey, Mel Gibson, Alan Ladd Jr.
Screenwriter: Randall Wallace
Distributor: Paramount Pictures
Production Co: Twentieth Century Fox, Paramount Pictures, B.H. Finance C.V., Ladd Company, Icon Entertainment International
Rating: R (Brutal Medieval Warfare)
Genre: History, Drama, Biography, War
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): May 24, 1995, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 1, 2013
Box Office (Gross USA): $75.5M
Runtime: 2h 57m
Sound Mix: Dolby SR, Dolby A, DTS, Surround, Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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