Wow, Actually a question that is worth contemplating about.
I'm going to think for a second...
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Gladiator and Braveheart are movies of 2 different times made, and times that are covered in the story.
Gladiator is truly an excellent movie. I think it is Superior in cinematography compared to braveheart. IMO. but that doesn't necessarily make it the better movie. Braveheart showed me something I've never seen before. Remember in the beggining, when Mel gibson took a clean slice of that guys leg? It looked so real, I couldn't get over it. The both have very sad endings. And both have amazing action scenes. Braveheart showed things that weren't thought possible in the world of cinema.
Overall, I cannot decide. Both give out great messages.