mel said it was the script. when he read that script, he said he read it in one sitting, two hours. that s the way you can tell. in two hours if you don t stop reading. cross out again and come back in. it was such a wonderful script that it just haunted my mind and i began to do something with the script that i ve never done before and that is the images began to play out almost shot for shot in my head. they my take our lives, but they ll never take our freedom! reporter: gibson produced, directed and starred in this sprawling historical epic. nominated for ten academy awards, the film won five. including best picture and best director. i feel like, you know that s my wildest expectations come true for this evening. reporter: off screen,
playboy feature. the article was published in july 1995, the summer of braveheart. and action! charge! reporter: what did you tell you about what drew him to that film? mel said it was the script. when he read that script, he said he read it in one sitting, two hours. that s the way you can tell. he just felt the power of it. cross out again and come back in. it was such a wonderful script that it just haunted my mind and i began to do something with the script that i ve never done before and that is the images began to play out almost shot for shot in my head. take our lives, but they ll never take our freedom! reporter: gibson produced, directed and starred in this sprawling historical epic. nominated for ten academy awards, the film won five. including best picture and best
when he read that script, he said he read it in one sitting, two hours. that s the way you can tell. he just felt the power of it. cross out again and come back in. it was such a wonderful script that it just haunted my mind and i began to do something with the script that i ve never done before and that is the images began to play out almost shot for shot in my head. take our wives, but they ll never take our freedom! reporter: gibson produced, directed and starred in this sprawling historical epic. nominated for ten academy awards, the film won five. including best picture and best director. i feel like, you know that s my wildest expectations come true for this evening. reporter: offscreen, gibson s part boy images, a rowdy reputation, due in large part to
most complicated, infuriating, talented star hollywood has ever produced. reporter: from mad max don t get mad at me. reporter: to maverick, lethal weapon to braveheart he was what women want and what men want to be. you re like a genius, you know that. can i tell you, buddy, i m blessed. reporter: but the audience s love affair with mel gibson would take a turn for the worse on this highway. caught driving drunk, he mouthed off to police. now upstaged by his profanity-laced telephone rant. you like a [ bleep ] on heat and if you get raped by a pack of [ bleep ] it will be your fault, all right, because you provoked it. reporter: angry slurs at his baby s momma, oksana, but those became the least of his concerns as the actor faced possible domestic violence charges stemming from an altercation with oksana early last year. a drastic departure from the film star once known best as a family man and a person of passionate faith. people are wonderin
superstar. mel gibson! he got out of the gate fast. i mean, you have a good looking guy who could act. an actor and academy award winning director and producer whose films have taken in billions at the box office. i feel like a hundred bucks. mel gibson is probably the most complicated, infuriating, talented star hollywood has ever produced. reporter: from mad max don t get mad aat me. reporter: to maverick, lethal weapon to braveheart he was what women want and what men want to be. you re like a genius, you know that. can i tell you, bud y i m blessed. reporter: but the audience love affair with mel gibson would take a turn for the worse on this highway. caught driving drunk, he mouthed off to police. now upstaged by his profanity-laced telephone rant. you like a [ bleep ] on heat and if you get raped by a pack of [ bleep ] it will be your fault, all right, because you provoked it. reporter: angry slurs at his baby s momma, oksana, but