Editing Braveheart (section)

== Reception ==
=== Box office ===
''Braveheart'' grossed $75.5{{nbsp}}million  in the United States and Canada and $133.5{{nbsp}}million in other territories, for a worldwide total of $209.0{{nbsp}}million, against a budget of $53–$72{{nbsp}}million.<ref name=NUM>{{Cite The Numbers |id=Braveheart |access-date=2024-05-12}}</ref><ref name=SI/> It spent nine non-consecutive weeks in the Top 10 at the US box office{{snd}}its first seven weeks, then two more weeks during its fifth month in theatres.<ref name=BOMWeek>{{cite web |title=''Braveheart'' {{!}} Domestic Weekly |website=[[Box Office Mojo]] |publisher=[[IMDb]] |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl3594946049/weekly/?ref_=bo_rl_tab#tabs |access-date=2024-05-12}}</ref>

=== Critical response ===
{{RT prose|{{RT data|score}}|{{RT data|average}}|{{RT data|count}}|Distractingly violent and historically dodgy, Mel Gibson's ''Braveheart'' justifies its epic length by delivering enough sweeping action, drama, and romance to match its ambition.|ref=yes|access-date={{RT data|access date}}}} {{MC film|68|20|ref=yes|access-date=2024-05-13}}

[[File:Mel Gibson Cannes 2016 2.jpg|thumb|Gibson's work on ''Braveheart'' earned him the [[Academy Award for Best Director]].]]
[[Caryn James]] of ''[[The New York Times]]'' praised the film, calling it "one of the most spectacular entertainments in years."<ref>{{cite news |title=Braveheart |first=Caryn |last=James |author-link=Caryn James |date=1995-05-23 |work=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://archive.nytimes.com/www.nytimes.com/library/filmarchive/braveheart.html |access-date=6 May 2021 |archive-date=May 6, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210506081641/https://archive.nytimes.com/www.nytimes.com/library/filmarchive/braveheart.html |url-status=live}}</ref> [[Roger Ebert]] gave the film three and a half out of four stars, calling it "An action epic with the spirit of the Hollywood swordplay classics and the grungy ferocity of ''[[The Road Warrior]]''."<ref name=":0">{{cite web |last=Ebert |first=Roger |author-link=Roger Ebert |title=Braveheart movie review & film summary (1995) |url=https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/braveheart-1995 |website=[[Chicago Sun-Times]] |access-date=July 19, 2020 |archive-date=February 4, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170204132022/http://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/braveheart-1995 |url-status=live   |via=[[RogerEbert.com]]}}</ref> In a positive review, [[Gene Siskel]] wrote that "in addition to staging battle scenes well, Gibson also manages to recreate the filth and mood of 700 years ago."<ref>{{Cite news |title='Crumb' Digs Deep As the Oscars Come Up Empty |last=Siskel |first=Gene |author-link=Gene Siskel |work=[[Chicago Tribune]] |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1995-05-26-9505260018-story.html |access-date=October 26, 2018 |url-access=subscription |archive-date=October 26, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181026064537/https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1995-05-26-9505260018-story.html |url-status=live}}</ref> [[Peter Travers]] of ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' felt that "though the film dawdles a bit with the shimmery, dappled love stuff involving Wallace with a Scottish peasant and a French princess, the action will pin you to your seat."<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Braveheart |last=Travers |first=Peter |author-link=Peter Travers |date=24 May 1995 |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]  |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/movies/movie-reviews/braveheart-122937/ |access-date=July 19, 2020 |archive-date=June 30, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210630022551/https://www.rollingstone.com/movies/movie-reviews/braveheart-122937/ |url-status=live}}</ref> The depiction of the [[Battle of Stirling Bridge|Battle of Stirling]] was listed by [[CNN]] as one of the best battles in cinema history.<ref>{{cite news |title=The best – and worst – movie battle scenes |date=2007-04-02 |work=[[CNN]] |url=http://www.cnn.com/2007/SHOWBIZ/Movies/03/29/movie.battles/index.html |access-date=April 2, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070408081844/http://www.cnn.com/2007/SHOWBIZ/Movies/03/29/movie.battles/index.html |archive-date=April 8, 2007 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

Not all reviews were positive. [[Richard Schickel]] of ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'' magazine argued that "everybody knows that a non-blubbering clause is standard in all movie stars' contracts. Too bad there isn't one banning self-indulgence when they direct."<ref>{{Cite magazine |title=Cinema: Another Highland Fling |last=Schickel |first=Richard |author-link=Richard Schickel |date=May 29, 1995 |magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]] |url=http://content.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,982369,00.html |access-date=October 26, 2018 |issn=0040-781X |archive-date=December 7, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171207183739/http://content.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,982369,00.html |url-status=live}}</ref> Peter Stack of the ''[[San Francisco Chronicle]]'' felt "at times the film seems an obsessive ode to Mel Gibson machismo."<ref>{{Cite news |title=Film Review – Macho Mel Beats His Chest in Bloody 'Braveheart' |first=Peter |last=Stack |date=May 24, 1995 |work=[[San Francisco Chronicle]] |url=https://www.sfgate.com/movies/article/FILM-REVIEW-Macho-Mel-Beats-His-Chest-in-3032546.php |access-date=October 26, 2018 |archive-date=October 26, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181026064532/https://www.sfgate.com/movies/article/FILM-REVIEW-Macho-Mel-Beats-His-Chest-in-3032546.php |url-status=live}}</ref> In a 2005 poll by British film magazine ''[[Empire (film magazine)|Empire]]'', ''Braveheart'' was No. 1 on their list of "The Top 10 Worst Pictures to Win Best Picture Oscar".<ref>{{cite news |title=Mel Gibson's "Braveheart" Voted Worst Oscar Winner |date=2005-02-25 |agency=[[World Entertainment News Network]] |url=http://www.hollywood.com/news/Mel_Gibsons_Braveheart_Voted_Worst_Oscar_Winner/2435436 |access-date= |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130203230603/http://www.hollywood.com/news/Mel_Gibsons_Braveheart_Voted_Worst_Oscar_Winner/2435436 |archive-date=February 3, 2013 |url-status=}}</ref> ''Empire'' readers had previously voted ''Braveheart'' the best film of 1995.<ref name="Empire Award Past Winners - 1996">{{cite magazine |title=Empire Award Past Winners – 1996 |year=2003 |magazine=[[Empire (film magazine)|Empire]]  |url=https://www.empireonline.com/awards2003/pastwinners/1996.asp |access-date=September 16, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121014113022/http://www.empireonline.com/awards2003/pastwinners/1996.asp |archive-date=October 14, 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

Alex von Tunzelmann of ''[[The Guardian]]'' gave the film a grade of C−, saying: "Seemingly intended as a piece of anti-English propaganda, ''Braveheart'' offers an even greater insult to Scotland by making a total pig's ear of its heritage. "Historians from England will say I am a liar," intones the voiceover, "but history is written by those who have hanged heroes." Well, that's me told: but, regardless of whether you read English or Scottish historians on the matter, ''Braveheart'' still serves up a great big steaming haggis of lies.."<ref>{{cite news|title= Braveheart: dancing peasants, gleaming teeth and a cameo from Fabio|work= [[The Guardian]]|date=2008-08-31|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2008/jul/30/3|access-date=2024-05-13}}</ref>
In a 2012 article, Nathan Kamal called the film "hugely overrated", criticizing the characters as one-dimensional.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://spectrumculture.com/2012/05/29/criminally-overrated-braveheart/ | title=Braveheart &#124; Criminally Overrated | date=May 30, 2012 }}</ref>

=== Effect on tourism ===
The European premiere was on September 3, 1995, in [[Stirling]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/12089373.Scotland_a_nation_again_for_a_night/ |title=Scotland a nation again for a night |work=[[The Herald (Glasgow)|The Herald]] |location=Glasgow |date=September 4, 1995 |access-date=July 10, 2016 |archive-date=August 17, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160817072050/http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/12089373.Scotland_a_nation_again_for_a_night/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 1996, the year after the film was released, the annual three-day "Braveheart Conference" at [[Stirling Castle]] attracted fans of ''Braveheart'', increasing the conference's attendance to 167,000 from 66,000 in the previous year.<ref>{{cite book | last=Zumkhawala-Cook | first=Richard | year=2008 | title=Scotland as We Know It: Representations of National Identity in Literature, Film and Popular Culture | publisher=McFarland | isbn=978-0-7864-4031-3 | page=147 }}</ref> In the following year, research on visitors to the Stirling area indicated that 55% of the visitors had seen ''Braveheart''. Of visitors from outside Scotland, 15% of those who saw ''Braveheart'' said it influenced their decision to visit the country. Of all visitors who saw ''Braveheart'', 39% said the film influenced in part their decision to visit Stirling, and 19% said the film was one of the main reasons for their visit.<ref>{{cite book | last1=MacLellan | first1=Rory | last2=Smith | first2=Ronnie | year=1998 | title=Tourism in Scotland | publisher=Cengage Learning EMEA | isbn=978-1-86152-089-0 | page=230 }}</ref> In the same year, a tourism report said that the "''Braveheart'' effect" earned Scotland £7&nbsp;million to £15&nbsp;million in tourist revenue, and the report led to various national organizations encouraging international film productions to take place in Scotland.<ref>{{cite book | last=Martin-Jones | first=David | year=2009 | title=Scotland: Global Cinema – Genres, Modes, and Identities | publisher=Edinburgh University Press | isbn=978-0-7486-3391-3 | page=14 }}</ref>

The film generated huge interest in Scotland and in [[Scottish history]], not only around the world, but also in Scotland itself.{{citation needed|date=November 2018}} At a ''Braveheart'' Convention in 1997, held in Stirling the day after the [[Scottish Parliament#History of the Scottish Parliament|Scottish Devolution]] vote and attended by 200 delegates from around the world, ''Braveheart'' author Randall Wallace, Seoras Wallace of the Wallace Clan, Scottish historian David Ross and Bláithín FitzGerald from Ireland gave lectures on various aspects of the film.{{citation needed|date=November 2018}} Several of the actors also attended including James Robinson (Young William), Andrew Weir (Young Hamish), Julie Austin (the young bride) and Mhairi Calvey (Young Murron).{{citation needed|date=November 2018}}

=== Awards and honors ===
''Braveheart'' was nominated for many awards during the 1995 awards season, though it was not viewed by many{{who|date=May 2022}} as a major competitor to films such as ''[[Apollo 13 (film)|Apollo 13]]'', ''[[Il Postino: The Postman]]'', ''[[Leaving Las Vegas]]'', ''[[Sense and Sensibility (film)|Sense and Sensibility]]'', and ''[[The Usual Suspects]]''.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Oscar Flashback: The Braveheart Year |url=https://www.awardsdaily.com/2017/01/oscar-flashback-braveheart-year/ |access-date=2024-07-12 |website=Awardsdaily |language=en-US}}</ref> It wasn't until after the film won the [[Golden Globe Award for Best Director]] at the [[53rd Golden Globe Awards]] that it was viewed as a serious Oscar contender.<ref name=":1" />

When the nominations were announced for the [[68th Academy Awards]], ''Braveheart'' received ten Academy Award nominations, and a month later, won five including [[Academy Award for Best Picture|Best Picture]], [[Academy Award for Best Director|Best Director]] for Gibson, [[Academy Award for Best Cinematography|Best Cinematography]], [[Academy Award for Best Sound Editing|Best Sound Effects Editing]], and [[Academy Award for Best Makeup and Hairstyling|Best Makeup]].<ref name="Oscars1996">{{cite web|url=http://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/1996 |title=The 68th Academy Awards (1996) Nominees and Winners |access-date=October 23, 2011 |work=oscars.org |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120929190404/http://www.oscars.org/awards/academyawards/legacy/ceremony/68th-winners.html |archive-date=September 29, 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref> ''Braveheart'' became the ninth film to win Best Picture with no acting nominations and is one of only four films to win Best Picture without being nominated for the [[Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture]], the others being ''[[The Shape of Water]]'' in 2017, [[Green Book (film)|''Green Book'']] in 2018, and ''[[Nomadland (film)|Nomadland]]'' in 2020.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thefreelibrary.com/%27BRAVEHEART%27+CONQUERS%5CGibson%27s+epic+wins+Best+Picture%5CSarandon,+Cage...-a083931988|title='BRAVEHEART' CONQUERS\Gibson's epic wins Best Picture\Sarandon, Cage take acting honors. – Free Online Library|website=www.thefreelibrary.com|access-date=January 1, 2019|archive-date=January 2, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190102002337/https://www.thefreelibrary.com/%27BRAVEHEART%27+CONQUERS%5CGibson%27s+epic+wins+Best+Picture%5CSarandon,+Cage...-a083931988|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/shape-water-best-picture-win-mirrors-a-braveheart-first-oscars-2018-1090971|title=Oscars Avoids "Envelopegate" Repeat as 'The Shape of Water' Takes Home Best Picture Prize|website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|date=March 4, 2018|access-date=January 1, 2019|archive-date=March 11, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180311054530/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/shape-water-best-picture-win-mirrors-a-braveheart-first-oscars-2018-1090971|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.goodmorningamerica.com/culture/story/oscars-2019-green-book-wins-best-picture-61289300|title=Oscars 2019: 'Green Book' wins best picture|last=America|first=Good Morning|website=Good Morning America|access-date=2019-02-27|archive-date=February 28, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190228070102/https://www.goodmorningamerica.com/culture/story/oscars-2019-green-book-wins-best-picture-61289300|url-status=live}}</ref>

The film also won the [[Writers Guild of America Award for Best Original Screenplay]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1996-03-19-ca-48578-story.html|title=WGA Members Prize 'Sensibility' and 'Braveheart'|last=WELKOS|first=ROBERT W.|date=1996-03-19|work=Los Angeles Times|access-date=2019-03-19|issn=0458-3035|archive-date=May 31, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160531210852/http://articles.latimes.com/1996-03-19/entertainment/ca-48578_1_writers-guild-award|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2010, the [[Independent Film & Television Alliance]] selected the film as one of the 30 Most Significant Independent Films of the last 30 years.<ref>{{cite web| title = UPDATE: How "Toxic" Is IFTA's Best Indies?| url = https://deadline.com/2010/09/iftas-toxic-best-indie-film-list-65871/| work = Deadline| date = September 10, 2010| access-date = January 23, 2017| archive-date = February 2, 2017| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170202022156/http://deadline.com/2010/09/iftas-toxic-best-indie-film-list-65871/| url-status = live}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Award
! Category
! Recipient(s)
! Result
|-
| rowspan="5"| 20/20 Awards
| Best Cinematography
| [[John Toll]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| Best Costume Design
| [[Charles Knode]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| Best Makeup
| [[Peter Frampton (make-up artist)|Peter Frampton]], [[Paul Pattison]] and [[Lois Burwell]]
| {{won}}
|-
| Best Original Score
| [[James Horner]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| colspan="2"| Best Sound
| {{nom}}
|-
| rowspan="10"| [[68th Academy Awards|Academy Awards]]
| [[Academy Award for Best Picture|Best Picture]]
| [[Mel Gibson]], [[Bruce Davey]] and [[Alan Ladd Jr.]]
| {{won}}
|-
| [[Academy Award for Best Director|Best Director]]
| Mel Gibson
| {{won}}
|-
| [[Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay|Best Screenplay – Written Directly for the Screen]]
| [[Randall Wallace]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Academy Award for Best Cinematography|Best Cinematography]]
| John Toll
| {{won}}
|-
| [[Academy Award for Best Costume Design|Best Costume Design]]
| Charles Knode
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Academy Award for Best Film Editing|Best Film Editing]]
| [[Steven Rosenblum]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Academy Award for Best Makeup and Hairstyling|Best Makeup]]
| Peter Frampton, Paul Pattison and Lois Burwell
| {{won}}
|-
| [[Academy Award for Best Original Score|Best Original Dramatic Score]]
| James Horner
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Academy Award for Best Sound|Best Sound]]
| [[Andy Nelson (sound engineer)|Andy Nelson]], [[Scott Millan]], [[Anna Behlmer]] and [[Brian Simmons (sound engineer)|Brian Simmons]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Academy Award for Best Sound Editing|Best Sound Effects Editing]]
| [[Lon Bender]] and [[Per Hallberg]]
| {{won}}
|-
| [[American Cinema Editors#Eddie Awards|American Cinema Editors Awards]]
| [[American Cinema Editors Award for Best Edited Feature Film – Dramatic|Best Edited Feature Film]]
| Steven Rosenblum
| {{won}}
|-
| American Cinema Foundation Awards
| colspan="2"| Feature Film
| {{won}}
|-
| [[American Society of Cinematographers|American Society of Cinematographers Awards]]
| [[American Society of Cinematographers Award for Outstanding Achievement in Cinematography in Theatrical Releases|Outstanding Achievement in Cinematography in Theatrical Releases]]
| John Toll
| {{won}}
|-
| rowspan="10"| Awards Circuit Community Awards
| Best Director
| Mel Gibson
| {{nom}}
|-
| Best Original Screenplay
| Randall Wallace
| {{nom}}
|-
| Best Art Direction
| [[Thomas E. Sanders]] and [[Peter Howitt (set decorator)|Peter Howitt]]
| {{won}}
|-
| Best Cinematography
| John Toll
| {{nom}}
|-
| Best Costume Design
| Charles Knode
| {{won}}
|-
| Best Film Editing
| Steven Rosenblum
| {{nom}}
|-
| Best Makeup & Hairstyling
| Peter Frampton, Paul Pattison and Lois Burwell
| {{won}}
|-
| Best Original Score
| James Horner
| {{won}}
|-
| colspan="2"| Best Sound
| {{nom}}
|-
| colspan="2"| Best Stunt Ensemble
| {{won}}
|-
| rowspan="7"| [[49th British Academy Film Awards|British Academy Film Awards]]
| [[BAFTA Award for Best Direction|Best Direction]]
| Mel Gibson
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[BAFTA Award for Best Cinematography|Best Cinematography]]
| John Toll
| {{won}}
|-
| [[BAFTA Award for Best Costume Design|Best Costume Design]]
| Charles Knode
| {{won}}
|-
| [[BAFTA Award for Best Original Music|Best Film Music]]
| James Horner
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[BAFTA Award for Best Makeup and Hair|Best Makeup]]
| Peter Frampton, Paul Pattison and Lois Burwell
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[BAFTA Award for Best Production Design|Best Production Design]]
| Thomas E. Sanders
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[BAFTA Award for Best Sound|Best Sound]]
| Andy Nelson, Scott Millan, Anna Behlmer and Brian Simmons
| {{won}}
|-
| [[Camerimage]]
| Golden Frog
| John Toll
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Cinema Audio Society Awards]]
| [[Cinema Audio Society Award for Outstanding Achievement in Sound Mixing for a Motion Picture – Live Action|Outstanding Achievement in Sound Mixing for Motion Pictures]]
| Andy Nelson, Scott Millan, Anna Behlmer and Brian Simmons
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Círculo de Escritores Cinematográficos|Cinema Writers Circle Awards]]
| Best Foreign Film
| rowspan="2"| Mel Gibson
| {{won}}{{efn|Tied with ''[[Ed Wood (film)|Ed Wood]]''.}}
|-
| [[1st Critics' Choice Awards|Critics' Choice Awards]]
| [[Critics' Choice Movie Award for Best Director|Best Director]]
| {{won}}
|-
| rowspan="2"| [[Dallas–Fort Worth Film Critics Association Awards 1995|Dallas-Fort Worth Film Critics Association Awards]]
| colspan="2"| [[Dallas–Fort Worth Film Critics Association Award for Best Film|Best Picture]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Dallas–Fort Worth Film Critics Association Award for Best Cinematography|Best Cinematography]]
| John Toll
| {{won}}
|-
| [[48th Directors Guild of America Awards|Directors Guild of America Awards]]
| [[Directors Guild of America Award for Outstanding Directing – Feature Film|Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Motion Pictures]]
| Mel Gibson
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[1st Empire Awards|Empire Awards]]
| colspan="2"| [[Empire Award for Best Film|Best Film]]
| {{won}}
|-
| [[Flaiano Prizes]]
| Best Foreign Actress
| [[Catherine McCormack]]
| {{won}}
|-
| rowspan="4"| [[53rd Golden Globe Awards|Golden Globe Awards]]
| colspan="2"| [[Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture – Drama|Best Motion Picture – Drama]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Golden Globe Award for Best Director|Best Director – Motion Picture]]
| Mel Gibson
| {{won}}
|-
| [[Golden Globe Award for Best Screenplay|Best Screenplay – Motion Picture]]
| Randall Wallace
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Golden Globe Award for Best Original Score|Best Original Score – Motion Picture]]
| James Horner
| {{nom}}
|-
| rowspan="2"| [[Motion Picture Sound Editors|Golden Reel Awards]]
| [[Golden Reel Award for Outstanding Achievement in Sound Editing – Dialogue and ADR for Feature Film|Best Sound Editing – Dialogue]]
| Mark LaPointe
| {{won}}
|-
| [[Golden Reel Award for Outstanding Achievement in Sound Editing – Sound Effects and Foley for Feature Film|Best Sound Editing – Sound Effects]]
| Lon Bender and Per Hallberg
| {{won}}{{efn|Tied with [[George Watters II]] for ''[[Crimson Tide (film)|Crimson Tide]]''.}}
|-
| [[International Film Music Critics Association#IFMCA Awards|International Film Music Critics Association Awards]]
| [[International Film Music Critics Association Award for Best New Archival Release of an Existing Score – Re-Release or Re-Recording|Best Archival Release of an Existing Score – Re-Release or Re-Recording]]
| James Horner, Dan Goldwasser, Mike Matessino, Jim Titus and Jeff Bond 
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Jupiter Award (film award)#18th Jupiter Award / 1996|Jupiter Awards]]
| Best International Director
| Mel Gibson
| {{won}}
|-
| [[Movieguide Awards]]
| colspan="2"| Best Movie for Mature Audiences
| {{won}}
|-
| rowspan="4"| [[1996 MTV Movie Awards|MTV Movie Awards]]
| colspan="2"| [[MTV Movie Award for Best Movie|Best Movie]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[MTV Movie Award for Best Performance|Best Male Performance]]
| rowspan="2"| Mel Gibson
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[MTV Movie Award for Most Desirable Male|Most Desirable Male]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[MTV Movie Award for Best Action Sequence|Best Action Sequence]]
| Battle of Stirling
| {{nom}}
|-
| rowspan="2"| [[National Board of Review Awards 1995|National Board of Review Awards]]
| colspan="2"| [[National Board of Review: Top Ten Films|Top Ten Films]]
| {{draw|9th Place}}
|-
| Special Filmmaking Achievement
| Mel Gibson
| {{won}}
|-
| Publicists Guild of America Awards
| colspan="2"| Motion Picture
| {{won}}
|-
| rowspan="3"| [[22nd Saturn Awards|Saturn Awards]]
| colspan="2"| [[Saturn Award for Best Action or Adventure Film|Best Action/Adventure Film]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Saturn Award for Best Costume Design|Best Costume Design]]
| Charles Knode
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Saturn Award for Best Music|Best Music]]
| James Horner
| {{nom}}
|-
| Southeastern Film Critics Association Awards
| colspan="2"| Best Picture
| {{draw|2nd Place}}
|-
| [[Turkish Film Critics Association|Turkish Film Critics Association Awards]]
| colspan="2"| Best Foreign Film
| {{draw|3rd Place}}
|-
| [[48th Writers Guild of America Awards|Writers Guild of America Awards]]
| [[Writers Guild of America Award for Best Original Screenplay|Best Screenplay – Written Directly for the Screenplay]]
| Randall Wallace
| {{won}}
|}

;[[American Film Institute]] lists
* [[AFI's 100 Years ... 100 Thrills]] – No. 91
* [[AFI's 100 Years...100 Cheers]] – No. 62

=== Cultural effects and accusations of Anglophobia ===
[[Lin Anderson]], author of ''Braveheart: From Hollywood To Holyrood'', credits the film with playing a significant role in affecting the [[Scottish political landscape]] in the mid- to late 1990s.<ref>{{cite web|last=Boztas |first=Senay |url=http://www.braveheart.info/news/2005/sunday_herald/2007-07-31/51063.html |title=Wallace movie 'helped Scots get devolution' – [Sunday Herald&#93; |publisher=Braveheart.info |date=July 31, 2005 |access-date=February 27, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130702163829/http://www.braveheart.info/news/2005/sunday_herald/2007-07-31/51063.html |archive-date=July 2, 2013 }}</ref> [[Peter Jackson]] cited ''Braveheart'' as an influence in making [[The Lord of the Rings (film series)|the ''Lord of the Ring''s film trilogy]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Parker |first=Dylan |date=2021-03-17 |title=This Was The Key To Adapting 'The Lord Of The Rings', According To Peter Jackson |url=https://www.thethings.com/this-was-the-key-to-adapting-the-lord-of-the-rings-according-to-peter-jackson/ |access-date=2022-10-09 |website=TheThings |language=en-US}}</ref>

Sections of the English media accused the film of harbouring [[Anti-English sentiment]]. ''[[The Economist]]'' called it "[[Xenophobia|xenophobic]]",<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.economist.com/PrinterFriendly.cfm?story_id=6941798 |title=Economist.com |publisher=Economist.com |date=May 18, 2006 |access-date=February 27, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629214649/http://www.economist.com/PrinterFriendly.cfm?story_id=6941798 |archive-date=June 29, 2011 }}</ref> and [[John Sutherland (author)|John Sutherland]] writing in ''[[The Guardian]]'' stated that: "''Braveheart'' gave full rein to a toxic Anglophobia".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2003/aug/11/religion.world |work=The Guardian |location=London |title=John Sutherland |date=August 11, 2003 |access-date=April 26, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090820010057/http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2003/aug/11/religion.world |archive-date=August 20, 2009}}</ref><ref name="timesonline1">{{cite news|url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/scotland/article546776.ece |title=''Braveheart'' battle cry is now but a whisper |newspaper=Times Online |date= July 24, 2005|access-date=February 27, 2009 | location=London |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629142251/http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/scotland/article546776.ece |archive-date=June 29, 2011 |url-status= dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite book
 |last=Colin
 |first=McArthur
 |title=Brigadoon, ''Braveheart'' and the Scots: Distortions of Scotland in Hollywood Cinema
 |publisher=I. B. Tauris
 |year=2003
 |page=5
 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XMOUo5VUkoQC
 |isbn=978-1-86064-927-1
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130610030239/https://books.google.com/books?id=XMOUo5VUkoQC&printsec=frontcover
 |archive-date=June 10, 2013
 |url-status=dead
}}</ref> In ''[[The Times]]'', Colin McArthur said "the political effects are truly pernicious. It's a xenophobic film."<ref name="timesonline1"/> Ian Burrell of ''[[The Independent]]'' has said, "The ''Braveheart'' phenomenon, a Hollywood-inspired rise in [[Scottish nationalism]], has been linked to a rise in anti-English prejudice".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/most-race-attack-victims-are-white-the-english-exiles-1069506.html | title=Most race attack victims 'are white': The English Exiles – News | newspaper=[[The Independent]] | date=February 8, 1999 |access-date=February 27, 2009 | location=London | first=Ian | last=Burrell| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131219024934/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/most-race-attack-victims-are-white-the-english-exiles-1069506.html | archive-date=December 19, 2013 }}</ref>

=== Wallace Monument ===
[[File:Braveheart Statue Sep 2007.jpg|thumb|Tom Church's controversial statue of Gibson as Wallace]]
In 1997, a {{convert|12|ft|adj=on}}, {{convert|13|t|adj=on}} [[sandstone]] statue depicting Mel Gibson as William Wallace in ''Braveheart'' was placed in the car park of the [[Wallace Monument]] near [[Stirling]], Scotland. The statue, which was the work of Tom Church, a [[Stonemasonry|monumental mason]] from [[Brechin]],<ref name="courer">{{cite web|url=http://www.thecourier.co.uk/output/2009/10/16/newsstory13954661t0.asp |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091020180051/http://www.thecourier.co.uk/output/2009/10/16/newsstory13954661t0.asp |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 20, 2009 |work=[[The Courier (Dundee)|The Courier]] |title=Wallace statue back at home of sculptor |access-date=October 17, 2009 |date=October 16, 2009 }}</ref> included the word 'Braveheart' on Wallace's shield. The installation became the cause of much controversy; one local resident stated that it was wrong to "desecrate the main memorial to Wallace with a lump of crap".<ref>{{cite web|author=Hal G. P. Colebatch |url=http://www.spectator.org/dsp_article.asp?art_id=10191 |title=The American Spectator |publisher=Spectator.org |date=August 8, 2006 |access-date=February 27, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071012014011/http://spectator.org/dsp_article.asp?art_id=10191 |archive-date=October 12, 2007}}</ref>

In 1998, someone wielding a hammer vandalized the statue's face. After repairs were made, the statue was encased in a cage every night to prevent further vandalism. This only incited more calls for the statue to be removed, as it then appeared that the Gibson/Wallace figure was imprisoned. The statue was described as "among the most loathed pieces of public art in Scotland".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://scotlandonsunday.scotsman.com/williamwallace/They-may-take-our-lives.2565370.jp |title=They may take our lives but they won't take Freedom |author=Kevin Hurley |work=[[Scotland on Sunday]] |date=September 19, 2004 |access-date=October 16, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091101183916/http://scotlandonsunday.scotsman.com/williamwallace/They-may-take-our-lives.2565370.jp |archive-date=November 1, 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref> In 2008, the statue was returned to its sculptor to make room for a new visitor centre being built at the foot of the Wallace Monument.<ref name="bbc_statue_removed">{{cite news |title=Wallace statue back with sculptor |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/tayside_and_central/8310614.stm |work=BBC News |date=October 16, 2009 |access-date=October 16, 2009 |archive-date=August 24, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170824174510/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/tayside_and_central/8310614.stm |url-status=live }}</ref>