Best Movies About Scotland

From Mel Gibson, starring Mel Gibson, Sophie Marceau, Patrick McGoohan, Angus Macfadyen
Rated R

Braveheart is a 1995 epic historical drama film directed by Mel Gibson and starring Gibson as William Wallace, a late 13th-century Scottish warrior who led the Scots in the First War of Scottish Independence against King Edward I of England. The story is inspired by Blind Harry's epic poem The Actes and Deidis of the Illustre and Vallyeant Campioun Schir William Wallace and was adapted for the screen by Randall Wallace. The film depicts the life of Wallace, a 13th-century Scottish warrior who rallies the Scottish in the First War of Scottish Independence against King Edward I of England. Wallace initially seeks revenge for the death of his father and bride, but as he fights, he begins to realize his true destiny is to lead the Scottish people in their fight for freedom from English rule. With the help of his loyal comrades, Wallace leads the Scots in a series of daring battles, culminating in a legendary victory at the Battle of Stirling Bridge. In the end, Wallace is betrayed, captured, and executed by English forces, but his legacy lives on as an inspiring symbol of Scottish independence.

From Danny Boyle, starring Ewan McGregor, Ewen Bremner, Jonny Lee Miller, Kevin McKidd
Rated R

Trainspotting is a 1996 British black comedy film directed by Danny Boyle and starring Ewan McGregor, Ewen Bremner, Jonny Lee Miller, Kevin McKidd, Robert Carlyle, and Kelly Macdonald. Set in the late 1980s in and around Edinburgh, Scotland, the film follows a group of young heroin addicts and their misadventures in pursuit of hedonism, sex, and drug use in the face of social pressures. The film is based on Irvine Welsh's novel of the same name and includes a soundtrack of British punk and electronic music. Trainspotting was released to critical acclaim and was a box office success, grossing over $72 million worldwide. The film eventually became an iconic cult classic, with its dark humor, striking visuals, and innovative use of sound, and is considered by many to be one of the greatest British films of all time.

From Lars von Trier, starring Emily Watson, Stellan Skarsgård, Katrin Cartlidge, Jean-Marc Barr
Rated R

Breaking the Waves is a 1996 Danish drama film directed by Lars von Trier and starring Emily Watson. The film is set in a remote Scottish village and tells the story of an emotionally fragile young woman whose love transcends death. Bess McNeill is a shy and naïve young woman who is deeply devoted to her husband Jan, an oil rig worker. When Jan is paralyzed in an accident, Bess is filled with guilt and desperation, so she begins to seek solace in sexual experiences with other men, which angers and confuses her husband and community. As her behavior becomes more extreme, the people of the village begin to turn against her. Ultimately, Bess's extraordinary journey of faith and sacrifice leads her to a world of spiritual understanding and divine grace.

From Lynne Ramsay, starring Tommy Flanagan, Mandy Matthews, William Eadie, Michelle Stewart
Rated Not Rated

Ratcatcher is a 1999 drama film directed by Lynne Ramsay. Set in Glasgow, Scotland in 1974, the story follows 12-year-old James Gillespie as he faces the grim realities of life in a poor, working-class district. He navigates a world of poverty, neglect, and squalor, but finds solace in the magical nature of his surroundings. With the help of his friends, James escapes from the oppressive environment and finds himself on a journey of self-discovery and redemption. The film powerfully portrays the harsh realities of working-class life and the beauty of childhood innocence.

From Robin Hardy, starring Edward Woodward, Christopher Lee, Diane Cilento, Britt Ekland
Rated R

The Wicker Man is a 1973 British horror film directed by Robin Hardy and starring Edward Woodward, Britt Ekland, Diane Cilento, Ingrid Pitt, and Christopher Lee. The plot focuses on a police sergeant (Woodward), who is sent to a remote Scottish island to investigate a missing person report, only to discover that the islanders practice a form of Celtic paganism. He soon finds himself an unwelcome intruder in their midst, and his investigation is complicated by his attraction to the island's most beautiful woman (Ekland). The Wicker Man is a chilling exploration of faith and superstition, and features some of the most memorable sequences in British horror cinema.

From Ken Loach, starring Martin Compston, Michelle Coulter, Annmarie Fulton, William Ruane
Rated R

From Bill Forsyth, starring Burt Lancaster, Peter Riegert, Fulton Mackay, Denis Lawson
Rated PG

From Danny Boyle, starring Kerry Fox, Christopher Eccleston, Ewan McGregor, Ken Stott
Rated R

From John Madden, starring Judi Dench, Billy Connolly, Geoffrey Palmer, Antony Sher
Rated PG

From Directors: Mark Andrews, Brenda Chapman, Steve Purcell, starring Kelly Macdonald, Billy Connolly, Emma Thompson, Julie Walters
Rated PG

From Russell Mulcahy, starring Christopher Lambert, Sean Connery, Clancy Brown, Roxanne Hart
Rated R

From Ken Loach, starring Atta Yaqub, Eva Birthistle, Ahmad Riaz, Shamshad Akhtar
Rated R

From Ken Loach, starring Paul Brannigan, John Henshaw, Roger Allam, Gary Maitland
Rated R

From David Mackenzie, starring Ewan McGregor, Eva Green, Lauren Tempany, Connie Nielsen
Rated R

From Jon S. Baird, starring James McAvoy, Jamie Bell, Eddie Marsan, Imogen Poots
Rated R

From Michael Caton-Jones, starring Liam Neeson, Jessica Lange, John Hurt, Tim Roth
Rated R

From Directors: Andy Hamilton, Guy Jenkin, starring Rosamund Pike, David Tennant, Billy Connolly, Ben Miller
Rated PG-13

From David Mackenzie, starring Jamie Bell, Ruth Milne, John Paul Lawler, Claire Forlani
Rated R

From Lasse Hallström, starring Ewan McGregor, Emily Blunt, Amr Waked, Kristin Scott Thomas
Rated PG-13

From Andrea Arnold, starring Kate Dickie, Tony Curran, Martin Compston, Natalie Press
Rated Not Rated

From Lynne Ramsay, starring Samantha Morton, Kathleen McDermott, Linda McGuire, Paul Popplewell
Rated R

From David Mackenzie, starring Ewan McGregor, Tilda Swinton, Peter Mullan, Emily Mortimer
Rated NC-17

From Jonathan Glazer, starring Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy McWilliams, Lynsey Taylor Mackay, Dougie McConnell
Rated R

From John Landis, starring Bill Bailey, Tom Wilkinson, Michael Smiley, Tim Curry
Rated R