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Marshall Bell, Marlon Brando, Elpidia Carrillo, Johnny Depp, Frederic Forrest ... see more see more... , Max Perlich , Floyd 'Red Crow' Westerman , Clarence Williams III , Cody Lightning , Nicole Mancera

Johnny Depp made his debut as a director and screenwriter with this allegorical tale of the plight of Native Americans. Raphael (Depp) is an alcoholic American Indian who lives in a hovel near a junky... read more read more...ard with his wife Rita (Elpidia Carillo) and his children Frankie (Cody Lightning) and Marta (Nicole Mancera); he scrapes together a meager living rescuing potentially salable items from the rubbish. Desperate to raise money, Raphael arranges to meet a wealthy man named McCarthy (Marlon Brando), who makes him an unusual offer: he'll pay Raphael $50,000 to appear in a film in which he's beaten to death by a gang of rednecks. The murder in the film will not be faked; if he takes the role, Raphael will suffer a painful demise in front of the camera. Raphael accepts, hoping the money will help Rita build a better life for their children. For the next seven days, Raphael tries to enjoy his last week on Earth and teach Frankie something of his new responsibilities as the man of the house. The Brave received decidedly mixed reviews in its initial screenings at the 1997 Cannes Film Festival; it had a limited release in Europe but has yet to appear in the United States, either in theaters or on home video. Punk rock icon Iggy Pop composed the film's score. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

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81% want to see it

12,946 ratings

Unrated, 2 hr. 3 min.

Directed by: Johnny Depp

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Raphael The Brave Raphael Raphael Raphael Poster Raphael Raphael Johnny Depp and the little girl Raphael Raphael hotness Raphael The Brave Poster Raphael The Brave Raphael
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Flixster Reviews (640)

  • Deano78
    April 10, 2010
    Deano78
    An early film starring and directed by Johnny Depp. It's a rather slow tale about the length someone is prepared to go to give their family a better life. Starring Marlon Brando as well briefly it's an interesting tale but the film is too long. There aren't many scenes that stand... read more out either and it kinda feels like a made for TV film. For Johnny's die hard fans only really.
  • 76Majikat
    April 11, 2007
    76Majikat
    Directed and starring Johnny Depp, this storyline made for a pretty promising film, however the first half I found pretty boring, the second half started to warm up a little and had some emotional scenes. If this film does nothing else, it shows you how bad poverty can be
  • michaelcorleone
    October 19, 2009
    michaelcorleone
    Johnny Depp's directorial debut never really finds its footing, but I didn't have the same issues with it that most critics seemed to. I've noticed recurring complaints about the film's slow pacing, but I thought that was advantageous to the style Depp was going for. However, it'... read mores obvious that the execution of the picture isn't completely successful. It looks like a TV movie, with rigidly staged scenes that don't always transition well. However, there are some things I really like about the film. For one thing, the story is excellent and the conclusion has an impact, despite all the problems preceding it. This is one of Depp's finest achievements as an actor. He crafts a nuanced, empathetic protagonist who is always engaging to watch. Brando's brief appearance is brilliantly played. His acting was unpredictable and vibrant in a way that nobody else's is, and his dialogue with Depp is exciting to watch. The other players deliver performances ranging from good to terrible, which contributes to the movie's inconsistency overall.
  • chrishrandolph
    April 17, 2009
    chrishrandolph
    I think what I loved the most about The Brave was not just the story, but the truth about the hardships indians went through. It is defiantly Johnny Depp at his best and this film is one the top 5 greatest movies he has ever made!
  • MovieManiac415
    July 9, 2008
    MovieManiac415
    The only thing I have to say about this movie it, I was completely wrong on how good this movie was going to be. I thought this movie was about a tribe of indians, but, boy...was I way off!!



    To set some people straight, this movie is a about a very brave man, who's ... read morename is Raphael[played by Johnny Depp]. Him, and his family are all poor, and live near a garbage dump, so that they can get some extra things to live. Raphael has a wife, and two kids, a boy named Frankie, and a girl named Marta. Raphael is in search of a job, and he finally finds one that will pay him $50,000, but to do what? That is the mystery during the whole film. Raphael build a sort of "carnival" with the money he got, that has a pool, a swing, a spinning plastic horse ride, and much more. Raphael's wife is wondering where Raphael is getting the money for this, and accuses him of stealing, but Raphael sets her straight, and tells her its a job. There is a fiesta a little bit later. and everyone is asking him if THEY can get a job where Raphael is working, but Raphael always says there aren't any openings. The ending comes soon after that, but I would rather not spoil it for anyone. You'll have to watch it yourself. All I have to say, is that the ending made me, for the first time, REALLY cry.
  • missyg1982
    November 28, 2007
    missyg1982
    i would definently like to see a movie that johnny depp has put alot of effort into being that he directed and starred in this movie
  • dinehpup
    May 20, 2007
    dinehpup
    I think that this is probably the most moving & brilliant piece of work Johnny Depp has ever done. I also think no one BUT him could have directed it so amazingly! A MUST SEE!
  • alicesnightmare
    May 16, 2007
    alicesnightmare
    I have this film though it was banned here in the US.I cant get anyone to watch it,because of the content. If it was anyone but Johnny Depp,it wouldnt be so hard to take.
  • smitchell221
    February 3, 2007
    smitchell221
    This movie needs a North American DVD release, it is a very good movie. Johnny Depp shows he can step behind the camera!
  • minegrind
    April 18, 2006
    minegrind
    Johnny Depp's lone directorial offering -- and it ain't bad at all! Native American Raphael determines that the only way he can "provide for his family" is to sell himself to Marlon Brando -- to be featured in a snuff film. "The Brave" follows Raphael in his final week, as he mak... read morees peace with his life, so to speak, and enjoys the comfort and company of his wife and their children, in a manner that, I imagine, only a dead man can.

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Critic Reviews

Jim Lane
September 14, 2007
Jim Lane, Sacramento News & Review

...standard vengeance-is-mine stuff, gussied up with hifalutin pseudo-profundity. Full Review

Rob Gonsalves
May 27, 2006
Rob Gonsalves, eFilmCritic.com

It has flaws -- it has at least one major one -- but overall this is an honorable and provocative debut. Full Review

February 9, 2006
Time Out

Click to read the article Full Review

May 24, 2003
Film4

Click to read the article Full Review

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The Brave Trivia

  • In the Lord of the rings when samwise gamji and frodo baggins were talking about storys that will be told by fathers to their sons in the future about them two what did frodo call sam?  Answer »
  • "I remember the first time my bulb burned out. I thought, "That's it! I'm burnt out! Eighty-sixed! To the showers!" And then the master gave me a new bulb... and I glowed." What movie is this quote from?  Answer »
  • In the movie, The Brave Little Toaster, who or what were the toaster, blankie, lampy, and radio looking for?  Answer »
  • Which is the only movie that Johnny Depp directed himself? ( Hint: He starred as Raphael and it was released in 1997)  Answer »
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