Braveheart

Oscar™ Best Picture - Winning Movies

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Original title: Braveheart
Year: 1995
Running time: 177 min.
Country: United States
Director: Mel Gibson
Screenwriter: Randall Wallace
Music: James Horner
Cinematography: John Toll
Cast: Mel Gibson, Sophie Marceau, Patrick McGoohan, Angus MacFadyen, Catherine McCormack, Brendan Gleeson, David O'Hara, Tommy Flanagan, Brian Cox, James Cosmo, Alun Armstrong, Ian Bannen, Sean McGinley, Gerard McSorley, Stephen Billington, Peter Hanly, Michael Byrne, John Kavanagh, Peter Mullan, David Gant, Malcolm Tierney, Richard Leaf
Producer: Paramount Pictures / Icon Productions / Ladd Company
Genre: Adventure. Drama | Historical. Middle Ages. 14th Century. Biography. Revenge. Epic film
Synopsis / Plot: Based on the life of legendary 13th 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 (Sophie Marceau) 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.

Awards: 1995: 5 Academy Awards: Best Movie, Director, Cinematography, Sound and Makeup. 10 Nominations

1995: Golden Globe: Best Director (Mel Gibson). 4 Nominations

1995: 3 BAFTA Awards: Best Cinematography, Costume Design and Sound. 7 Nominations

1995: National Board of Review: Mel Gibson

1995: Critics' Choice Awards: Best Director (Mel Gibson)

1995: Producers Guild Awards (PGA): Nominated for Best Film

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1995: Directors Guild of America (DGA): Nominated for Best Director

1995: Writers Guild of America (WGA): Best Original Screenplay

Critics' reviews

"It's an ambitious film, big on simple emotions like love, patriotism and treachery (...) An action epic with the spirit of the Hollywood swordplay classics and the grungy ferocity of 'The Road Warrior' (…) Rating: ★★★½ (out of 4)"

Roger Ebert: rogerebert.com
"'Braveheart' features some of the most enthralling combat sequences in years, and the excessive ferocity of the violence is part of the thrill"

Owen Gleiberman: Entertainment Weekly
"With breathtaking skill, Gibson captures the exhilaration and horror of combat in some of the most vivid battle scenes ever filmed"

Peter Travers: Rolling Stone
"An obsessive ode to Mel Gibson machismo"

Peter Stack: San Francisco Chronicle
"One of the most spectacular entertainments in years (...) A great, ambitious gamble that pays off"

Caryn James: The New York Times
"Gibson’s central performance is also strong, and his Wallace does inspire (...) Tech credits are roundly impressive"

Brian Lowry: Variety
"Entertaining (...) Gibson has proved that he is a competent director, capable of handling ambitious projects (...) He has created a completely adequate modern facsimile of the classic romantic epic."

Hal Hinson: The Washington Post
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"'Braveheart' runs punishingly long but it eases the pain by constantly winking at the audience (...) A lavish, entertaining spectacle"

New York Daily News

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