Braveheart

1995

Mel Gibson directed and stars as William Wallace, a commoner who takes up arms against English rule after soldiers kill his wife. The script by Randall Wallace draws on a fifteenth century poem more than the historical record, and the film is unapologetic about choosing the legend. Sophie Marceau, Patrick McGoohan as Edward Longshanks, Catherine McCormack, Angus Macfadyen, and Brendan Gleeson round out the cast. It runs close to three hours and won Best Picture and Best Director.