 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Braveheart
- Review Date: April 28, 2005
- R
- Genre: Drama
- 1995
Common Sense Media says
Mel Gibson's Oscared, bloody Scottish spectacle.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this movie has high levels of blood and gore (animal and human), vulgarity, and sexual elements. This is NOT a movie for kids.
What's the story?
The setting is 14th-century Scotland, oppressed by the English King Edward I (Patrick McGoohan), alias Longshanks, who hangs a group of Highlanders trying to negotiate a peace treaty. One of the victim's son is William Wallace (http://www.commonsensemedia.org/reviews/Mel-Gibson/). When Longshanks makes it legal for British nobles to sexually abuse Scottish women, Wallace's wife is killed by British soldiers. He rallies other angry Scots and an English-hating Irish brigand and stages a successful guerilla war on the British. Ironically, Wallace's goal of independence for Scotland is thwarted by the region's own aristocrats, a well-treated bunch with investments in England. Betrayed by his high-born countrymen, Wallace assassinates a number of them before he's captured and handed over to the English for public torture and execution. Wallace is unyielding to the end, and his example shames the Scottish prince Robert the Bruce (Angus McFayden) to lead a larger, more successful revolt later, in Wallace's name.
Is it any good?
The spin that director/producer/star Gibson puts on this version of Wallace's story is that the true peoples' heroes -- warriors, freedom fighters, messiahs, (and filmmakers?) who don't back down or compromise their ethics -- often don't get their just reward in this life. That's a theme to ponder, but parents might emphasize to impressionable viewers that, while William Wallace apparently did exist, much of the script in BRAVEHEART has been shown to be false.
Parents should be aware of the high level of blood and gore, and sexual elements. Edward I's son Edward II (Peter Hanly) is a pampered homosexual who so annoys Longshanks that the king throws his son's boyfriend out of a window. Edward II is married, for strictly diplomatic reasons, to a beautiful French princess (Sophie Marceau) who sleeps with William Wallace and gets pregnant by him, another way by which the hero triumphs from beyond the grave.
Explore, discuss, enjoy
Families can talk about the theme of true heroes -- warriors, dissidents (and filmmakers?) who don't back down or compromise their ethics -- often fail to get their just recognition and glory during their lifetimes, only painful death. That's a theme to ponder, but parents might emphasize to impressionable viewers that, while William Wallace apparently did exist, much of this movie's script has been shown to be historically bogus.
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Adult
September 15, 2009
AGE
Great for older teens and anyone mature enough to handle it.
A great movie. But only for people who are mature enough to handle it. There is a lot of blood, gore, and violence. There is a sex scene. There are also a few curse words. Basically this movie is definitely not for the easily offended. It does have a positive message however. It teaches those watching it that sometimes one must sacrifice everything if it means freedom.
What other families should know:
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Adult
July 20, 2009
AGE
Should not be the first rated R movie ever seen, but will be enjoyed by all audiences about 16 or 17
The themes are incredible, showing that main character's sense of honor is timeless and beautiful. The pervasive images of freedom goes to show all that we have is taken for granted.
Be careful around the violence, and the sexual behavior, which is rather mild and not memorable, but definately inapropriate for most kids and worthy of pre-screening!
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Adult
April 9, 2008
AGE
Amazing
An extremely epic, extremely well- done, and an extremely historically inaccurate film. A personal favorite of mine. Quite bloody (A lot like Gladiator's level of violence) but not grotesque. (Not counting the gruesome scene of torture near the end). The raping of William Wallace's wife is rather on the scary side, but CSM is over-reacting about the sex scene between Wallace & his wife. This film is great, but you might want to give your kids a history lesson before and after viewing it, for it lacks facts. Acually, you might not want to show this to your kid at all. Know your kid. Squeamish? Just don't let 'em. Otherwise a grand film production.
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Adult
April 9, 2008
AGE
Mel Gibson's braveheart- outstanding, well done
Mel Gibson's Braveheart is one of the best movies i have ever seen. This movie is about a man named william wallace (Mel Gibson) who is fighting for his and his mens freedom. They want Ireland to be left alone and be free. This movie contains lots of brutal warfare. A lot of scenes are bloody. The battle sequences last very long. there is only 1 nudity scene where it shows a women's breast for about 10 seconds. No language. Overall, this is one of the best movies i have ever seen.
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Adult
April 9, 2008
AGE
Epic history
What an incredible masterpiece. Very violent but a moving story that will draw you in from beginning to end. Mel Gibson shines!
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Teen, 17 years old
April 17, 2011
AGE
good film.
great movie! its folkink great!
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Adult
March 9, 2011
AGE
This film, loosely based on 14th-century history, is suitable for more mature teenagers who may be interested in the subject matter. It is not for kids as it is a very bloody, violent film with some rape and sex scenes. All of these scenes do, however, fit in the context of the film. It's definitely something that a more mature teenager would have no problem handling.
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Parent of 10 and 13 year old
September 2, 2009
AGE
Mel Gibson you dog!
Great film, a few boobs, some graphic violence, other than that this film is utterly terrific!
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Teen, 17 years old
March 10, 2011
AGE
A brutal,beautifull epic for older teens and adults
Brutal yet very touching and superbly done war epic about a commoner who becomes a millitary leader who fights for the freedom of his scottish comrades. William Wallace(main character) is one of the greatest heroes to grace the movies,EVER He is courageous,bold,noble and selfless. He may not be perfect but that is what makes him so fascinating. The writing is great and there are many great supporting characters and many excellent performances. What I really like though is the message about the cost of freedom and standing up for what you believe in,medievil warfare style. It is obvious that great passion was put in to this project because that is what we see being performed on the screen. It does have scenes of graphic and brutal warfare,as well as a torture that,while not graphic,is emotionally unbearable. But it does have some very strong and positive themes and is excellently executed and well worth seeing.
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| Studio: | Paramount Pictures |
| Director: | Mel Gibson |
| Cast: | Mel Gibson, Sean Lawlor, Sophie Marceau |
| Genre: | Drama |
| Run time: | 178 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | August 29, 1995 |
| DVD release date: | September 29, 2000 |
| MPAA rating: | R |
| MPAA explanation: | brutal medieval warfare |
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