cast himself in the lead role as a means to attract interest from potential financers. The film had an estimated production budget of $5 million and Depp agreed to pay if the cost went over, and may have put as much as $2 million of his own money into the film. Reception The initial 1997 reviews from American critics were highly negative. On Rotten Tomatoes the film has an approval rating of 33% based on reviews from 6 critics. Variety dismissed the film as "a turgid and unbelievable neo-western." Time Out says there's nothing inherently wrong with the film but that "Besides the implausibilities, the direction has two fatal flaws: it's both tediously slow and hugely narcissistic as the camera focuses repeatedly on Depp's bandana'd head and rippling torso." The negative reviews led to Depp's decision to not give The Brave a formal release in the United States, either in theaters or on home media. References External links 1997 films 1997 drama films Films about Native Americans Films directed by Johnny Depp Films about snuff films Films based on American novels Neo-Western films 1997 directorial debut films 1990s English-language films