Braveheart poster

Braveheart

1995178 minutesR
8.8
Arcplot Score
šŸ’Ž Masterclass
Unverified
⭐ 8.3IMDb
šŸ… 76%Rotten Tomatoes
ā“‚ļø 68/100Metacritic
šŸŽ¬ 7.9TMDb
šŸ“Š 10.2Popularity
šŸ†Won 5 Oscars. 34 wins & 34 nominations total
Directed by: Mel Gibson
William Wallace is a Scottish rebel who leads an uprising against the cruel English ruler Edward the Longshanks, who wishes to inherit the crown of Scotland for himself. When he was a young boy, William Wallace's father and brother, along with many others, lost their lives trying to free Scotland. Once he loses another of his loved ones, William Wallace begins his long quest to make Scotland free once and for all, along with the assistance of Robert the Bruce.

Box Office

Budget:$72.0M
Revenue:$213.2M
Profit:$141.2M

Arcplot Score Breakdown

Beat Timing Precision6.3/10
Emotional Arc Impact10/10
Thematic Consistency10/10
Overall Score8.8/10

Beat Sheet

15 plot points

Braveheart Arcplot
1
Opening Image
1 min
2
Theme Stated
8 min
3
Set-Up
20 min
4
Catalyst
35 min
5
Debate
50 min
6
Break Into Two
65 min
7
B Story
75 min
8
Fun and Games
95 min
9
Midpoint
110 min
10
Bad Guys Close In
135 min
11
All Is Lost
150 min
12
Dark Night of the Soul
160 min
13
Break Into Three
165 min
14
Finale
175 min
15
Final Image
178 min

Emotional Arc

+100-10

Plot Points

#1

Opening Image

1 min

Young William Wallace witnessing his father and brother killed by English soldiers. Scotland oppressed. Themes of freedom and revenge introduced.

#2

Theme Stated

8 min

William’s father: ā€œFreedom isn’t free.ā€ Theme of liberty vs. tyranny established, seeds of rebellion planted.

#3

Set-Up

20 min

Wallace grows up. Loves Murron. Scotland under English rule. Cultural oppression. Early life and relationships established. Stakes of oppression clear.

#4

Catalyst

35 min

Murron killed by English for defending herself. Wallace witnesses brutality firsthand. Personal loss triggers hero’s journey.

#5

Debate

50 min

Should Wallace rise against English or flee? Grappling with fear, vengeance, and responsibility. Questions of honor and leadership.

#6

Break Into Two

65 min

Wallace kills English soldiers and flees to lead Scottish rebellion. Transition from private grief to public hero.

#7

B Story

75 min

Alliance-building with other Scottish clans. Introduction of supporting characters like Hamish. Personal bonds develop alongside rebellion.

#8

Fun and Games

95 min

Training armies, small victories, inspiring speeches. Excitement, heroism, cultural pride. Rebellion gains momentum.

#9

Midpoint

110 min

Battle of Stirling Bridge. Major victory. False victory: Wallace celebrated as hero, but English power remains. Stakes raised: war escalates.

#10

Bad Guys Close In

135 min

English regroup. Betrayal by Scottish nobles. Political intrigue, imprisonment of Wallace. Heroes face setbacks.

#11

All Is Lost

150 min

Wallace captured, tortured, and executed. Apparent defeat. Emotional low point for Scotland and audience.

#12

Dark Night of the Soul

160 min

Scotland mourns. Wallace’s death seems final. Reflection on sacrifice, courage, and ideals.

#13

Break Into Three

165 min

Robert the Bruce inspired by Wallace’s martyrdom. Synthesis of Wallace’s dream with renewed hope. Strategic uprising.

#14

Finale

175 min

Scottish army rises and defeats English forces. Freedom achieved in part due to Wallace’s legacy. Triumph through unity and courage.

#15

Final Image

178 min

Wallace’s spirit remembered. Battlefields free. Scotland inspired. Legacy of freedom and sacrifice endures. Heroic closure.