As ‘maverick’ actor/director Mel Gibson turns a year older, here are some of his most famous movies as both an actor and director.
Max Rockatansky in the Mad Max series
Tom Hardy might have taken the action to another level in the latest edition, Mad Max: Fury Road , but the full madness of Max was felt in Gibson's eyes. Gibson played the character of Max Rockatansky, a police officer fighting for his life in a dystopian world, to the tee. All three of his Mad Max films were hugely successful.
Passion of the Christ
This controversial biblical epic drama directed by Gibson covers the last hours of Jesus Christ’s life. While many felt that the violence in the film was excessive, Passion of the Christ went on to become one of the highest grossing religious films till date. The film was mired in controversy with a few groups claiming it to be anti-semitic.
Braveheart
The movie may now be best known for its standout drama, but the story of William Wallace is an eternal one. This Mel Gibson-directed film won five Academy Awards, including those for Best Picture and Best Director.
Apocalypto
Set during the early 1500s, Apocalypto tells the story of a Mesoamerican tribesman who must rescue his family from danger. Vividly remembered for the film’s recreation of the pre-Columbian era and some excellent casting, the movie garnered mostly positive reviews.
Hacksaw Ridge
This latest offering by director Gibson has an Oscar nomination written all over it. A World War drama, Hacksaw Ridge traces the true story of a pacifist army man who refuses to carry rifle to the battlefield. Starring the fantastic Andrew Garfield, Hacksaw Ridge is a true blue war film with superb cinematography and screenplay.
Lethal Weapon
It had Gibson and Danny Glover in a buddy cop drama. One couldn’t have asked for a better pairing. A young Gibson plays the role of a suicidal cop, Riggs, to perfection. Of course, the movie also had the perfect nemesis in the form of Gary Busey. And it revived Busey’s career at the time too.
The Expendables 3
How can we forget The Expendables series and Gibson’s role in it? Mel Gibson has little more than a cameo in this action packed film. He plays the role of a ruthless arms dealer who was a part of The Expendables but later goes rogue. In Expendables , we get to see an action hero Gibson with a good dose of villainy. The final face off between Sylvester Stallone and Gibson is a must-watch for all action movie lovers.
The Patriot
It is set in the 18th Century, in the backdrop of America’s fight for independence. Mel Gibson plays a strong and silent man who wants nothing more than his haunting past to leave him alone. This Gibson and Heath Ledger-starrer was so iconic that it seems hard to reconcile this film with the image we have of director Roland Emmerich today.
Signs
This M. Night Shyamalan’s movie on extraterrestrial creatures features Mel Gibson as a former priest who discovers a series of signs of other species in his cornfields. Gibson pulls off the role quite effortlessly, making Signs one of his highest grossing movies.
Maverick
Maverick is one of Gibson’s best-known films, as well as being one of his best-known roles. Gibson plays the character of Bret Maverick, a gambler and a con-artist, who wants to enter a high-stakes poker game to prove he’s the best. This Western-comedy also won the film’s designer, April Ferry, an Academy Award for Best Costume Design.
