 Following supporting roles in a few low-budget films (including "Subterfuge", co-starring Matt McColm), Brake did not appear in a single film until six years later when he landed his first role by a major film distributor in Anthony Minghella's civil war film "Cold Mountain".He played the leader of a group of Union foragers who attempts to rape the young widow Sara (played by Natalie Portman).The film was released on Christmas Day 2003 and was a critical and commercial success, receiving seven Academy Award nominations.