The BEST MEL GIBSON MOVIES
by heath_kaos | created - 18 Oct 2010 | updated - 20 Oct 2010 | PublicDespite his controversial status now (everybody knows what I mean), he is and will remain one of the greatest contributers to world's cinema history. No matter what others may say, he is still: one of the greatest actors, one of the greatest entertainers, fantastic screenwriter, but most of all, an AMAZING DIRECTOR. I wanted to choose 20 best titles from his long career, but it was impossible. So, I made it a few titles longer. Here's my little tribute to him. I'm not interested in his personal life, the only thing that matters is his great cinematic legacy. Hats off to you, Mr. Gibson!
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1. Braveheart (1995)
R | 178 min | Biography, Drama, War
Scottish warrior William Wallace leads his countrymen in a rebellion to free his homeland from the tyranny of King Edward I of England.
Director: Mel Gibson | Stars: Mel Gibson, Sophie Marceau, Patrick McGoohan, Angus Macfadyen
Votes: 1,088,419 | Gross: $75.60M
5 Oscar winner, including for Best Picture and Best Director, which meant 2 Oscars for Mel (he was producing and directing it). It might not be his greatest performance, but it is his best picture(although some may argue). The music is so haunting (unlike anything I've experienced in movies, only Nolan movies come close to it), the cinematography just blows you away and the emotional chord of it, is ruthlessly heart-wrenching!Oh and the violence seems so real and raw, it really stands out from others.Not the typical warr movie either. I saw it so many times I can't remember how much!But never get tired of and always gets to me. Come on, who doesn't love the freedom speach from the battlefield? You have to be stone-cold not to feel a little bit emotional at that one. A true classic that will never get old!
2. Mad Max (1979)
R | 88 min | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
In a self-destructing world, a vengeful Australian policeman sets out to stop a violent motorcycle gang.
Director: George Miller | Stars: Mel Gibson, Joanne Samuel, Hugh Keays-Byrne, Steve Bisley
Votes: 221,191 | Gross: $8.75M
I think this is a very underrated gem. Marking his first role, this independent aussie film that was everything Hollywood movies usually lack, was also a great success. So great USA demanded it in theatres and against all odds, it did unbelievably good which was, and still is uncommon for an independent flick. In fact, it holds the record for the most profitable independent film in cinema history. And it deserves it too. Although, most people say the second part is the best from this trilogy, to me this one wins by a nose. The atmosphere is grittier, the villains are sicker and seem almost impossible to stop, that's what makes the ending so powerfull and memorable. The bittersweet ending makes this one the best from the trilogy and also one of his best roles/movies.
3. Gallipoli (1981)
PG | 110 min | Adventure, Drama, History
Two Australian sprinters face the brutal realities of war when they are sent to fight in the Gallipoli campaign in Turkey during World War I.
Director: Peter Weir | Stars: Mel Gibson, Mark Lee, Bill Kerr, Harold Hopkins
Votes: 41,862 | Gross: $5.73M
One of the best warr dramas ever made.
4. Apocalypto (2006)
R | 139 min | Action, Adventure, Drama
As the Mayan kingdom faces its decline, a young man is taken on a perilous journey to a world ruled by fear and oppression.
Director: Mel Gibson | Stars: Gerardo Taracena, Raoul Max Trujillo, Dalia Hernández, Rudy Youngblood
Votes: 330,108 | Gross: $50.87M
His last directing effort was extremly powerfull and nothing short of amazing! This might be his best movie in director's chair. Even if I favor Braveheart (the emotional rollercoaster is to blame), I think this one is his best directed movie. Shocking and just brilliant.
5. The Passion of the Christ (2004)
R | 127 min | Drama
Depicts the final twelve hours in the life of Jesus of Nazareth, on the day of his crucifixion in Jerusalem.
Director: Mel Gibson | Stars: Jim Caviezel, Monica Bellucci, Maia Morgenstern, Christo Jivkov
Votes: 248,562 | Gross: $370.78M
This religious and controversial drama, stands out in his career but more importantly, stands out among other religious depictions in cinema history. The amount of realism and authenticity it portrays of what Jesus Christ might have went through in his last hours of plain torture, makes us really live his pain, unlike usual religious dramas about Christ. This will remain unforgettable. Also great cast featuring James Caviezel, Monica Belluci and Maia Morgenstern (as Jesus' mother Mary).
6. The Year of Living Dangerously (1982)
PG | 115 min | Drama, Romance, War
A young Australian reporter tries to navigate the political turmoil of Indonesia during the rule of President Sukarno with the help of a diminutive photographer.
Director: Peter Weir | Stars: Mel Gibson, Sigourney Weaver, Linda Hunt, Bembol Roco
Votes: 22,800 | Gross: $10.28M
This impressive drama by Peter Weir, featuring Mel and Sigourney Weaver is an instant classic and one of his best indeed.
7. Mad Max 2 (1981)
R | 96 min | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
In the post-apocalyptic Australian wasteland, a cynical drifter agrees to help a small, gasoline-rich community escape a horde of bandits.
Director: George Miller | Stars: Mel Gibson, Bruce Spence, Michael Preston, Max Phipps
Votes: 192,791 | Gross: $12.47M
This sequel to Mel's first role in 1979 is also considered to be the best from it's trilogy. Although, the first part is my favorite, I love this one too. It stands like a fantastic formula for a great sequel, just like The Godfather Part 2 or The Dark Knight. There are more action sequences, more max madness and just as dark as the first part. Max as the anti-hero was my favorite heroic figure, as weird as it might sound.
8. The Man Without a Face (1993)
PG-13 | 115 min | Drama
Chuck wants to leave home but can't make the grade for boarding school. Then he finds out the disfigured recluse living nearby is an ex-teacher.
Director: Mel Gibson | Stars: Mel Gibson, Nick Stahl, Margaret Whitton, Fay Masterson
Votes: 30,909 | Gross: $24.76M
His first directorial effort is seriously underrated. It is a very powerful drama about society's prejudice. Mel definitely deserved a nomination for his performance, if not for his unique directorial debut.
9. Lethal Weapon (1987)
R | 109 min | Action, Crime, Thriller
Two newly paired cops who are complete opposites must put aside their differences in order to catch a gang of drug smugglers.
Director: Richard Donner | Stars: Mel Gibson, Danny Glover, Gary Busey, Mitchell Ryan
Votes: 275,470 | Gross: $65.21M
This buddy cop movie had a great charm and strong cast. It combined drama with action and comedy pretty well. It also made Mel a huge action star. And Lethal Weapon an instant classic in the action movies genre.
10. The Patriot (2000)
R | 165 min | Action, Drama, History
Peaceful farmer Benjamin Martin is driven to lead the Colonial Militia during the American Revolution when a sadistic British officer murders his son.
Director: Roland Emmerich | Stars: Mel Gibson, Heath Ledger, Joely Richardson, Jason Isaacs
Votes: 292,657 | Gross: $113.33M
Although not Braveheart, this impressive war drama did a fine job portraying war cruelty and numerous casualties it brings along with it. The music and cinematography was beautiful also. It also stars two of my favorite actors Heath Ledger(R.I.P) and Gibson. And it holds a special place in my heart, not only because they had great chemistry as father and son on screen (it was like a dream come true watching them together), but also because it was my first Heath Ledger movie I saw. Heath really had a lot of Mel Gibson reflecting in him, Gibson himself thought the same thing too.
11. Lethal Weapon 2 (1989)
R | 114 min | Action, Crime, Thriller
Riggs and Murtaugh are on the trail of South African diplomats who are using their immunity to engage in criminal activities.
Director: Richard Donner | Stars: Mel Gibson, Danny Glover, Joe Pesci, Patsy Kensit
Votes: 188,223 | Gross: $147.25M
12. Maverick (1994)
PG | 127 min | Action, Adventure, Comedy
Bret Maverick, needing money for a poker tournament, faces various comic mishaps and challenges, including a charming woman thief.
Director: Richard Donner | Stars: Mel Gibson, Jodie Foster, James Garner, Graham Greene
Votes: 118,684 | Gross: $101.63M
13. Ransom (1996)
R | 121 min | Action, Crime, Thriller
Multi-millionaire Tom Mullen's son is kidnapped, but after initially agreeing to pay the ransom Mullen then decides to use the ransom money as a bounty.
Director: Ron Howard | Stars: Mel Gibson, Gary Sinise, Rene Russo, Brawley Nolte
Votes: 135,086 | Gross: $136.49M
14. Hamlet (1990)
PG | 135 min | Drama
Hamlet, Prince of Denmark, finds out that his uncle Claudius killed his father to obtain the throne, and plans revenge.
Director: Franco Zeffirelli | Stars: Mel Gibson, Glenn Close, Alan Bates, Paul Scofield
Votes: 23,551 | Gross: $20.71M
15. Conspiracy Theory (1997)
R | 135 min | Action, Drama, Mystery
A taxi driver with a penchant for conspiracy theories becomes a target after one of these theories turns out to be true. Unfortunately, to save himself, he has to figure out which theory it is.
Director: Richard Donner | Stars: Mel Gibson, Julia Roberts, Patrick Stewart, Cylk Cozart
Votes: 106,928 | Gross: $75.98M
16. Payback (I) (1999)
R | 100 min | Action, Crime, Drama
After a successful heist, Porter is left for dead. Once he recovers, he seeks vengeance and wants his share of the money.
Director: Brian Helgeland | Stars: Mel Gibson, Gregg Henry, Maria Bello, David Paymer
Votes: 145,194 | Gross: $81.53M
17. The Bounty (1984)
PG | 132 min | Adventure, Drama, History
Fed up with their Captain's harsh discipline, a sailing ship's crew decides to take action.
Director: Roger Donaldson | Stars: Mel Gibson, Anthony Hopkins, Laurence Olivier, Edward Fox
Votes: 30,192 | Gross: $8.60M
18. Signs (2002)
PG-13 | 106 min | Drama, Mystery, Sci-Fi
A widowed former reverend living with his children and brother on a Pennsylvania farm finds mysterious crop circles in their fields, which suggests something more frightening to come.
Director: M. Night Shyamalan | Stars: Mel Gibson, Joaquin Phoenix, Rory Culkin, Abigail Breslin
Votes: 384,517 | Gross: $227.97M
19. What Women Want (2000)
PG-13 | 127 min | Comedy, Fantasy, Romance
A cocky, chauvinistic advertising executive magically acquires the ability to hear what women are thinking.
Director: Nancy Meyers | Stars: Mel Gibson, Helen Hunt, Marisa Tomei, Alan Alda
Votes: 221,672 | Gross: $182.81M
20. Edge of Darkness (2010)
R | 117 min | Action, Adventure, Drama
As homicide detective Thomas Craven investigates the murder of his activist daughter, he uncovers a corporate cover-up and government conspiracy that attracts an agent tasked with cleaning up the evidence.
Director: Martin Campbell | Stars: Mel Gibson, Ray Winstone, Danny Huston, Bojana Novakovic
Votes: 98,773 | Gross: $43.31M
21. Chicken Run (2000)
G | 84 min | Animation, Adventure, Comedy
When a cockerel apparently flies into a chicken farm, the chickens see him as an opportunity to escape their evil owners.
Directors: Peter Lord, Nick Park | Stars: Mel Gibson, Julia Sawalha, Phil Daniels, Lynn Ferguson
Votes: 211,712 | Gross: $106.83M
22. Tim (1979)
Not Rated | 109 min | Drama, Romance
A somewhat mentally handicapped 20-year-old man works as a laborer, but everyone abuses his naiveté. A nice 40-year-old American woman hires him one day and they become close. However, the town and his family see her as predatory.
Director: Michael Pate | Stars: Piper Laurie, Mel Gibson, Alwyn Kurts, Pat Evison
Votes: 3,679
23. Air America (1990)
R | 113 min | Action, Comedy, War
A young pilot finds himself recruited unwittingly into a covert and corrupt CIA airlift operation in Laos during the Vietnam conflict.
Director: Roger Spottiswoode | Stars: Mel Gibson, Robert Downey Jr., Nancy Travis, Ken Jenkins
Votes: 30,419 | Gross: $31.05M
24. Forever Young (1992)
PG | 102 min | Drama, Romance, Sci-Fi
During a cryogenics test, a pilot frozen in 1939 awakes in 1992 but time is running out, as his body starts to age rapidly.
Director: Steve Miner | Stars: Mel Gibson, Jamie Lee Curtis, Elijah Wood, Isabel Glasser
Votes: 49,945 | Gross: $55.96M
25. We Were Soldiers (2002)
R | 138 min | Action, Drama, History
The story of the first major battle of the American phase of the Vietnam War, and the soldiers on both sides that fought it, while their wives wait nervously and anxiously at home for the good news or the bad news.
Director: Randall Wallace | Stars: Mel Gibson, Madeleine Stowe, Greg Kinnear, Sam Elliott
Votes: 150,807 | Gross: $78.12M
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