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Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed movies.

Braveheart
Paramount Pictures


8.4

based on 21 reviews
Read critic reviews
How did we calculate this?

based on 58 votes
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FILM:

Internet Movie Database

MPAA RATING: R for brutal medieval warfare

Starring Mel Gibson, Sophie Marceau, Patrick McGoohan, Catherine McCormack, and Angus MacFadyen

Scottish national hero Sir William Wallace (Gibson), leads a 13th-century rebellion against landowning English nobles.

GENRE(S):	War
WRITTEN BY:	Randall Wallace
DIRECTED BY:	Mel Gibson
RELEASE DATE:	DVD: August 29, 2000 Video: March 12, 2000 Theatrical: May 24, 1995
RUNNING TIME:	177 minutes, Color
ORIGIN:	USA

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

100

ReelViews James Berardinelli

Offeris an exhilarating, and occasionally touching, experience that has viewers leaving the theater caught up in an afterglow of wonder. These days, heros like William Wallace are as rare as motion picture displays of this high, uncompromising quality.

100

The New York Times Caryn James

One of the most spectacular entertainments in years.

100

USA Today Mike Clark

Tempers moments of despair with deliriously romantic passages abetted by James Horner's traditionally lush score and photography by John Toll ("Legends of the Fall's" Oscar winner).

Mr. Showbiz Matt Zoller Seitz

Startlingly vigorous and entertaining piece of work.

Austin Chronicle Louis Black

Thrilling, a grand cinematic adventure -- beautifully handled myth-making from Gibson, who, by the way, is just fine in the lead.

Chicago Tribune Michael Wilmington

At its best, it's an exhilaratingly grandiose Highland fling. [24 May 1995, Tempo, p.1]

Chicago Sun-Times Roger Ebert

An action epic with the spirit of the Hollywood swordplay classics and the grungy ferocity of "The Road Warrior."

Newsweek Jack Kroll

Looks like a true epic...even if it is both bloody and bloody long.

Variety Staff [not credited]

The sort of massive vanity piece that would be easy to disparage if it didn't essentially deliver.

The Globe and Mail (Toronto) Rick Groen

Despite a formidable effort and occasional grace, there's something cowardly about Braveheart -- it's an aspiring giant with a diminutive soul.

Film.com John Hartl

The graphic battles may grow repetitious toward the end, the final scenes are almost sadistically drawn out, and the script often lacks humor. But this movie moves.

Washington Post Hal Hinson

A completely adequate modern facsimile of the classic romantic epic.

Film.com Sean Means

Gibson's raw energy and storytelling power in Braveheart are undeniable. If the film doesn't meet his ambitions, it's because he set the bar so high.

Entertainment Weekly Owen Gleiberman

Braveheart features some of the most enthralling combat sequences in years, and the excessive ferocity of the violence is part of the thrill.

Baltimore Sun Chris Kridler

His film would benefit from more subtlety and tighter editing, but as both director and star, Gibson takes the story by the hilt and plunges forward, as single-minded as Wallace screaming into battle.

Los Angeles Times Peter Rainer

Never tries to confuse our loyalties or question the strategies of our hero or bring home the all-embracing soul-destroying horrors of war for all sides. Braveheart may be rip-roaring, but it isn't all that brave.

TV Guide Frank Lovece

A massive, sweaty, frequently silly epic that nevertheless delivers enough brute pleasure to pass a rainy afternoon.

San Francisco Chronicle Peter Stack

Braveheart comes up short by beating the drums of human treachery and violence so loudly they become assaults.

Film.com Sean Means

As a director, Gibson leads with a heavy hand, settling for another bloody battle whenever the repetitiously and marginally eventful script begins to fold in on itself.

Time Richard Schickel

Braveheart is too much, too late.

Washington Post Desson Thomson

A rambling disappointment.

The average user rating for this movie is 8.4 (out of 10) based on 58 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Heather E gave it a10:
A Destiny Written In A Battle For Honor- “Braveheart” is a great story directed and portrayed by Mel Gibson as the romantic hero, William Wallace. He does a spectacular job of showing the viewers his courage and the real meaning of a romantic hero that the media lacks today. In this story of battle and passion William Wallace leads his army through series of successful battles against the British armies. He uses his natural intuition to prevail in these situations. Through being the hero that he is, Wallace must endure the loss of his wife and fighting for the freedom of his country. The quest Wallace is truly searching for is not for triumphant battle or the title of a king, but just that of peace with a family of his own. After being blackmailed by Bruce, the great hero is captured. After being held hostage he is brought before a crowd and is slain in a way very symbolic to Jesus. This makes the viewer even more sympathetic for the romantic hero. It also builds the love for the strength of the hero when Wallace would never give a cry of mercy, his only plea is a shout of “Freedom”, which is one of the most heartbreaking moments in the film. In the conclusion of the film it is shown how much of an impact our hero had. The armies chant “Wallace” and gain the freedom they have fought for from the English. Even though the movie does not follow exact timeline and factual details it is an amazing plot that sets a high standard for any war movie to ever follow.

Keir B gave it a5:
Great music, and Cinematography. The irony of this film is that Mel Gibson preaches the importance of freedom, yet could care less if Jewish and homosexuals are denied theirs.

Pierre C gave it a10:
When I rate a movie, I try to imagine the best possible scenario for that movie. Everything from the acting (e.g. Tom Hanks) to the cinematography was spectacular. I could honestly not imagine it done differently. It's an inspirational and captivating film that everyone should watch in their lifetime. Pure gold!

[Anonymous] gave it a10:
Whoever hated this movie is braindead. The movie is no doubt the best movie ever

Pierre C. gave it a10:
When I rate a movie, I try to imagine the best possible scenario for that movie. Everything from the acting (e.g. Tom Hanks) to the cinematography was spectacular. I could honestly not imagine it done differently. It's an inspirational and captivating film that everyone should watch in their lifetime. Pure gold!

[Anonymous] gave it a10:
There is no doubt this is the best movie ever! i can watch it over and over again and still not get sick of it! makes me glad that i am apart of the Scottish culture.

W A gave it a2:
Battle scenes that cross the line from realism to pure comedy, plus more cheese then Wisconsin and more corn than Iowa. Music is good though.

Braveheart Paramount Pictures

Braveheart
Paramount Pictures