
Braveheart's Mel Gibson makes surprising confession about filming of iconic Scots movie
MEL Gibson has admitted he faked it as a film director when he was making Braveheart.
The Aussie-born superstar, 69, said he had to pretend to the crew and enormous cast that he was totally in control of the £150million blockbuster.
2
Mel Gibson celebrated the 30th anniversary of Braveheart in Philadelphia
Credit: Getty
He came clean at a Fan Expo convention in Philadelphia, US, as the Oscar-winning epic celebrated its 30th anniversary.
Gibson, who played legendary Scots freedom fighter Sir William Wallace, recalled: 'It was only my second outing as a director and it was a massive shoot.
'There were about 3,000 people on the set. They're all looking at you like you know what you're doing.
'So I pretended I knew what I was doing.
'But somehow it all came together.
"Logistically speaking, it was a monster — from feeding everybody to getting them all to look like they were in the war.'
Gibson said his 'proudest achievement' was avoiding serious injuries in the movie's many battle scenes.
He explained: 'One guy got a hangnail and another got a broken nose and twisted ankle but that was it.
'It was a long shoot — there were 105 shooting days. We didn't get any days off.'
'But I'm really proud of the end result. It really paid off.'
Braveheart fans go mad for Mel Gibson as he's asked about independence
Elsewhere a former child star from Braveheart has revealed how he used to slag off Mel Gibson's dodgy Scots accent on set - so the Hollywood A-lister begged him to help improve his brogue.
Andrew Weir from Ayr played William Wallace's best pal Hamish in the Oscar-winning flick and even managed to get family friend James Robinson a crucial part as the young freedom fighter.
But the pair would regularly fall into hysterics at the Aussie actor's attempt to master our dialect.
Andrew, who now lives in New York, says: 'I think Mel liked that we were kids and not intimidated by him. We used to laugh at his accent and he would ask us to help him make it better.'

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
The 'must-have' $18 item from Kmart shoppers can't get enough of: ''OMG I'm running to grab these'
With a recently big dip in temperatures nationwide, a cosy new release from Kmart is sending shoppers into a frenzy. Fans have been rushing in-store and online to snap up the retailer's latest winter must-have in the form of a fleecy pyjama set that feels 'super soft' according to the rave online reviews. Retailing for just $18 each, the Plush Fleece Top and Plush Fleece Pants are being hailed for their buttery-soft texture and elevated colourways. It's loungewear that feels like a warm hug without the high-end price tag. And bonus for the taller girls (and guys), these are quite long in the leg according to multiple online comments. 'So cosy and soft. True to size. They are quite long in length though,' one reviewer said online. The range comes in two wearable shades, a lilac and soft cream. Made from ultra-soft fleece material, the long-sleeved top features a relaxed, slightly oversized fit with dropped shoulders and a cosy crew neckline, while the matching pants have an elasticated waistband and drawstring tie for maximum comfort. As usual, Kmart has included these in their inclusive size range, with both pieces available in sizes 6 through to 22, ensuring everybody can indulge in a little winter luxury. Fashion-obsessed Aussie mum Zoe Nation, posted a video of herself wearing the popular set. 'Run to Kmart,' she said. Her video has been viewed more than 300,000 times - with one shopper confirming: 'Have them! And I can confirm so good.' 'Comfortable and so cute I bought purple and white,' another commented. 'Omg I need,' one shared. 'Running to grab these omg,' another added. Another item that has Kmart fans tripping over themselves is a newly released pair of high waisted white jeans - and they might even have Posh Spice herself doing a double take. The retail giant's $30 Wide Leg Pocket Jeans have a striking resemblance to Victoria Beckham's cult-favourite (and extremely pricey) $800 Alina Wide Leg Jeans. Right down to the tailored silhouette, oversized patch front pockets, flared bell-bottoms, and flattering high-waisted cut, this 'dupe' is most definitely note-worthy. The Kmart jeans - described as the 'perfect fit' - were originally available in shades Black, Light Wash Blue, Mid Wash Blue, but have now newly launched in a neutral shade called 'Ecru Denim', mimicking Posh's popular style almost exactly. With the temperatures at an all-time low across the country, it's no wonder Kmart have listened to the growing demand this winter with a pair of pants that flatter everyone. Melbourne mum Zeljka Abaza, who regularly shares affordable fashion finds with her 28,000 Instagram followers, has posted a video of herself styling the 'it' jeans in the newly released Ecru Denim colour. 'The must have jeans', she captioned the video, showing how she effortlessly paired the bargain pair with a crisp blue shirt tied up to the neck, and cream boots for a chic, professional look. The jeans, like Posh's, are crafted from 100 per cent durable cotton perfect for a structured and more tailored look. The resemblance is hard to deny, with Kmart's version offering a near-identical look for less than four per cent of the price. With their structured wide-leg cut, high-rise waist, and oversized patch pockets, they tick every box for comfort, style, and versatility as well as being flattering and forgiving for most body types. The addition of the Ecru shade – a creamy, soft neutral tone – couldn't have come at a better time. As Australians embrace pared-back tones and 'quiet luxury' dressing this winter, this shade is the perfect cool-weather alternative to stark white denim. Dozens of reviews on Kmart's website echo the same sentiment: Kmart has just dropped a designer dupe so good, even Posh Spice herself might do a double take (pictured wearing her designer wide leg jeans in the butter colour) 'Great style, fit, colour. My favourite jeans,' one raved. 'These are outstanding cut and fit, good quality 100 per cent cotton rigid denim and they are amazing,' another wrote. 'The front pockets are great because they don't add bulk to wider hips… I'm 170cm and these are long,' another noted on the popular style. 'They look so high end,' one suggested. While another added: 'It can be hard to find the perfect white pair of jeans and these look amazing.' With the video of Zeljka's styling racking up tens of thousands of views, it's no wonder stock is moving fast - with some revealing they have been struggling to get their hands on the jeans. 'Out of stock everywhere… all colours,' one said. If you're looking to elevate your winter wardrobe without blowing the budget, you might want to add these jeans to your cart before they sell out.


Daily Mail
2 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Married At First Sight star Cyrell Paule reveals shock reason why she was cruelly 'mummy shamed' at son's sports day
A Married At First Sight star has revealed the moment she was savagely mum-shamed at her son's sports day. Cyrell Paule, 36, who appeared on season six of the Aussie dating show in 2019, took to Instagram on Thursday to vent about a recent incident that saw her criticised by another mum for packing an unhealthy lunch for her son Boston, five. 'Today I was mummy shamed... at least that's how it felt,' she captioned the Instagram story. The reality star went on to share that she had been battling an illness 'all week' in the run up to her son's athletic carnival. When it came to the big day, the mum made the decision to pop by McDonalds to buy her son lunch as opposed to packing a healthy lunchbox. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. The Married At First Sight star took to Instagram on Thursday to vent about a recent incident that saw her criticised by another mum for packing an 'unhealthy' lunch for her son Boston (right) 'By the time it was lunch time, I thought, do you know what, there is a Maccas down the road.' The mum admitted that while it wasn't really a 'suitable' lunch for a sports day, she was feeling so sick that it felt like the best option. While Boston, whom she shares with her partner Eden Dally, didn't have the usual 'carrots or a cut-up cucumber', he had a warm meal. Cyrell then overheard a conversation between another kid and his mum, who threw shade at her takeaway meal. 'One kid close-by was saying like, 'ah yum I love nuggets, I had McDonald's the other day,' but the mum was like, "you aren't getting McDonald's today, you are at a sports carnival, you are not supposed to be eating that".' 'Dude, yes I admit it is a lazy lunch and I could probably have done better but you know what, I don't need you to tell me I am doing a s*** job,' she said in the clip. The mum-of-one then posted a snap of her son, along with the caption: 'Sooo to all the mums out there who feel like what your doing isn't enough, you do you.' 'Stop judging each others parenting, no one knows your child or your situation. 'Stop judging each others parenting, no one knows your child or your situation' 'Do what makes your family happy,' she added. Cyrell and her partner Eden welcomed Boston, their first child together, in February 2020. The couple met in March 2019 after Cyrell's 'marriage' to Nic Jovanovic on Married At First Sight ended when they decided they were better off as friends. Eden rose to fame on the first season of Love Island Australia in 2018


Daily Mail
3 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Aussie actor Teresa Palmer makes shock MeToo confession: 'I was taken advantage of'
Teresa Palmer has reflected on the moment she nearly quit acting after she was 'pressured' to hook up with her male co-star. The Aussie actress, 39, who made a name for herself in hit films such as The Choice and Hacksaw Ridge, revealed she was fired from a movie after experiencing her own MeToo moment. Speaking to Daily Telegraph, Teresa shed light on the darker side of Hollywood that saw her meet some really 'nefarious' people in the industry, people that pushed her to 'hook up' with actors on film projects to better their on-screen 'chemistry'. 'I had my own MeToo experience. I was taken advantage of,' she told the publication. The moment made her question her dream of being an actress and almost saw her turn her back on it for good. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. The Aussie actress, 39, who made a name for herself in hit films such as The Choice and Hacksaw Ridge, revealed she was fired from a movie after experiencing her own MeToo moment 'I was 20, and I had just been fired off this job because I had refused to participate in some really coercive control stuff that was happening, and so I got fired,' she revealed. Soon after, Teresa returned to Adelaide, convincing herself that her dream was over and that it was time to settle into a job as a drama teacher. However, her agent Ann Churchill-Brown - who also represents Hollywood heavyweight Nicole Kidman - wouldn't let her give up. 'She was like, "Look – that was an awful experience, but I'm telling you, there are other experiences that you're gonna have that's just going to be the salve."' Teresa went on to star in many career-defining film roles, proving her agent right. Now, Teresa continues to make movies but gave up the hustle and bustle of the US for a happy, relaxed life in Byron Bay. She shares four biological kids with her husband Mark Webber, as well as a stepchild, and is currently expecting her fifth. Teresa recently showed off her baby bump at the premiere for her latest film project. She was absolutely glowing on Wednesday night as she promoted her new movie, Mix Tape, at Oxford Art Factory in Sydney alongside her husband Mark. The actress, who is 28 weeks pregnant, opted for a skin tight-dress in a black tone with glittering threading throughout. The long sleeved number clung to her blossoming belly and she added some patent heels to the look. Teresa chose a clean makeup look with a smoky eye and pink matte lipstick while wearing her blonde locks down in mermaid waves. Mark meanwhile matched his wife in an all black ensemble as he shared her red carpet moment.