Brokeback Mountain is a critically acclaimed film known for its poignant portrayal of a complex relationship in the American West. While celebrated for its storytelling and performances, it also contains mature themes and scenes that parents may want to consider before allowing younger viewers to watch. This guide provides an overview of the potentially sensitive content in Brokeback Mountain, specifically focusing on violence and gore, to help parents make informed decisions.
The film contains several instances of violence, ranging from implied and verbal threats to physical altercations and their aftermath. These moments, while not gratuitous, contribute to the film’s realistic and sometimes harsh depiction of its setting and characters’ lives.
One notable scene involves a brutal act of violence described rather than shown directly. A character recounts the story of a man being attacked by a group with a tire iron, with gruesome details including the dragging of the victim by his genitals. The film then cuts to a flashback of the character as a child witnessing the aftermath – a bloody and battered corpse, emphasizing the lasting impact of such brutality.
Physical confrontations are also depicted in the film. In a public setting, when two men make offensive sexual remarks, another man intervenes. When they persist, he punches one in the face, resulting in a bloody nose, and kicks the other in the head. A separate wrestling and fighting scene shows punches exchanged, leading to a bloody nose and a black eye on the combatants. Another instance of street violence occurs when a man is nearly run over by a car. He retaliates by punching the driver, who then exits the vehicle and proceeds to punch the first man repeatedly as he lies on the ground, leaving him with a bloody face.
Emotional distress manifesting as physical action is also portrayed. In a scene of separation, a character, overwhelmed with emotion, gags, cries, and punches a wall, conveying intense emotional pain through physical expression.
While not human-on-human violence, the film also depicts violence against animals, which may be disturbing for some viewers. A scene shows a man shooting an elk. The animal recoils from the shot, stumbles, and falls. Subsequently, viewers see the men butchering the elk, cooking its meat, and preparing meat for drying. A particularly unsettling scene involves the discovery of a dead sheep, bloodied and with its chest and abdominal cavity open, exposing bones and organs. Other scenes include a man being thrown from his horse after it is startled by a bear, and a man firing a gun at a wolf near a flock of sheep.
Verbal aggression and implied violence are present as well. A tense confrontation occurs when a woman confronts her ex-husband about a suspected affair (implied to be with another man). He responds with yelling and raising his fist, causing her to scream before he leaves. Marital conflict is shown through arguing and yelling between a husband and wife. Threats of physical violence are also exchanged in verbal altercations between men, with yelling and aggressive posturing.
Indirect references to violent death are also included. The film mentions a man who died in a freak accident when a car tire exploded, and the hubcap struck him in the face, causing him to drown in his own blood.
Beyond direct violence, the film touches upon themes of loss and hardship. A character speaks of losing his parents at a young age and being raised by siblings. Another recounts a story of a lightning storm killing a large number of sheep and the near-asphyxiating smell that followed. A scene shows two men caught in a hailstorm, and children are briefly seen playing with firecrackers. Milder scenes include a man tending to a sheep’s leg, removing a thorn or burr, and a man urinating in the background.
In conclusion, Brokeback Mountain contains scenes of violence, both depicted and described, that contribute to its mature themes. While not excessively graphic by modern action movie standards, the violence, alongside other mature content, warrants consideration for younger or sensitive viewers. This parents guide focusing on violence and gore should be used in conjunction with broader reviews and content advisories to make a fully informed viewing decision for your family.
