A real modern epic.
Braveheart (1995)
Tomatometer
How does the Tomatometer work ![]()
Reviews Counted:46
Fresh:35
Rotten:11
Average Rating:7/10
Consensus: Simplistic Braveheart makes for a spirited, entertaining epic.
Runtime: 2 hrs 57 mins
Genre: Action/Adventure
Synopsis: Mel Gibson directs and stars in this Academy Award-winning epic based on the life of legendary thirteenth century Scottish hero William Wallace. Returning to his homeland following the death of an... Mel Gibson directs and stars in this Academy Award-winning epic based on the life of legendary thirteenth century Scottish hero William Wallace. Returning to his homeland following the death of an heirless king, Wallace (Mel Gibson) finds the political landscape precarious. Edward the Longshanks, King of England (Patrick McGoohan), has captured Scotland's throne and threatens the freedom of all Scottish people, as tyrannical policies instituted by the English plague the Scots. Initially, Wallace is content to stand by the wayside, yearning for the simple life of building a home and raising a family. However, when the woman he loves (Catherine McCormack) suffers a cruel fate at the hands of English soldiers, Wallace takes a stand against the new rule. With his fierce patriotism and determination, he gathers an amateur but passionately rebellious army. Although this makeshift force may be outnumbered by the English troops, their desperation and love for their land surpass any military maneuvers, as evidenced in the film's breathtaking battle sequences. [More]
Starring: Mel Gibson, Sophie Marceau, Patrick McGoohan, Catherine McCormack
Starring: Mel Gibson, Sophie Marceau, Patrick McGoohan, Catherine McCormack, Brendan Gleeson, Sean Lawlor
Director: Mel Gibson
Director: Mel Gibson
Producer: Alan Ladd
Composer: James Horner
Reviews for Braveheart
As far as a good old-fashioned story of historical oppression goes, it does sweep you up and entertain.
Braveheart looks like a true epic -- even if it is both bloody and bloody long.
A huge, bloody and sprawling epic, Braveheart is the sort of massive vanity piece that would be easy to disparage if it didn't essentially deliver.
So inspiring is his message that my own girlfriend channeled it, in the warning I received prior to my reviewing the film: You'd better love it, or I'll disembowel you.
With a sweeping look, lots of emotion, a classic hero, occasionally corny dialogue and forced romances, Braveheart is a flawed classic.
At the heart of Mel Gibson's tumultuously entertaining epic is the almost-quaint notion that movie heroics should mean something more than a play for the much-coveted 18-25 box office demographic.
A massive, sweaty, frequently silly epic that nevertheless delivers enough brute pleasure to pass a rainy afternoon.
A great big splendorific Hollywood epic that's not exactly original or cliche-free, but fairly satisfying.
One of the weakest historical epics to ever win Best Picture, Mel Gibson's bloody thirteenth-centure saga was only a moderate success in the U.S., though performed better internationally.
Gibson hews to a style that is visually elaborate without ever being visually complicated, scraping away the traces of any irony or dimension from every shot, every scene.
In addtion to starring in the film, Gibson also directs it, and does so impressively.
Latest News for Braveheart
December 07, 2006:
Critical Consensus: "Apocalypto" Is Bloody Good; "Blood Diamond" Needs Polish; "Unaccompanied" Is Minor; "Holiday" Is So-So
This week at the movies, we've got declining civilizations ("Apocalypto," directed by Mel Gibson), conflict diamonds ("Blood Diamond," starring Leonardo... More...
December 21, 2005:
Trailer Bulletin: Apocalypto
That unpredictable ol' Mel Gibson has some a new movie brewin'. It's called "Apocalypto," and it looks like it hopes to be a big player in next summer's movie wars.... More...
July 22, 2005:
Mel Gibson to Direct "Apocalypto" Now
Variety reports on the next project from director Mel Gibson, and it's some sort of ancient civilization action epic entitled "Apocalypto". Disney will distribute the... More...
December 06, 2004:
What's the Cheesiest Line?
More...
More DVDs
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie |
|---|---|
| 15% 15% | The Ugly Truth |
| 98% 98% | Up |
| 36% 36% | G.I. Joe: The Rise of … |
| 52% 52% | The Taking of Pelham 1… |
| 45% 45% | Ice Age: Dawn of the D… |
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie |
|---|---|
| 36% 36% | Angels & Demons |
| 68% 68% | Funny People |
| 25% 25% | Four Christmases |
| 45% 45% | Shorts |
What’s Hot On RT
Other News
Sponsored Links
Around The Network
- Braveheart at Rotten Tomatoes
- Braveheart at IGN
Fresh Links
Featured

Subscribe to RT's YouTube channel and don't miss a second of our cracking video content.

Follow Rotten Tomatoes and join us as we tweet about the week's releases.



Top Critic

