BraveHeart

Ryan Watkins

Ms. Golub

AP Euro

May 27, 2014

Braveheart

            I watched Braveheart, directed by Mel Gibson, produced by Mel Gibson in 1995, starring Mel Gibson, Alan Ladd, Jr., and Bruce Davey. It was located in Scotland in the 13th century. It was based on Blind Harry's epic poem The Actes and Deidis of the Illustre and Vallyeant Compioun Schir William Wallace.

            The movie is about a boy whose father went to war for his freedom and died. He then went away with his noble uncle. When he grew into an adult he moved back to his home town. He fell in love and had a secret marriage so that the king would not seize her. The police then killed his wife while trying to draw Wallace into their trap. He went from town to town liberating and gaining an army. As he began to become a major threat to the government, he determined that he needed the nobles to band together and fight with him if he was going to defeat the king. They all agreed and when he  was in the middle of battle all the nobles left and betrayed him. He was then tricked and betrayed a second time and the kings men captured him. He was hung, drawn, and quartered.

            This movie was supposed to be based on William Wallace of Scotland. But was almost completely inaccurate. The movie was hardly based on reality, several characters life spans barely overlapped. The battles may have occurred but several characters shown there were not alive yet. The director defends his decisions saying that he had to make the historical inaccuracies to make a more interesting and capturing movie.

            It was set in the 13th century Scotland. It covered a couple decades of time. It was one of the most historically inaccurate stories of all time. Plaid wasn't introduced for another 3 centuries. Non of the names used except for William Wallace were the correct names, for example King Edward I was called King Longshank. It completely disregarded historical events so that they could make a more adventurous and heroic movie. The king issued  a right called Jus Primae Noctis which is a complete myth. The movie acts like England had controlled Scotland for centuries but in fact it had invaded only one year before his rebellion. Isabella of France was shown being married to Edward III but at the time of the movie she was three years and living in France.

            This movie was outrageous but very entertaining. Although it was one of the most inaccurate movies I have every watched. It was also one of the most funny and heroic movies I have every seen. Seeing William Wallace mow down endless English soldiers was quite entertaining. If you are looking for an accurate movie, stray very far from this movie, but if you want to see a great action war movie, this is for you.