Full Disclosure:
I thoroughly enjoyed the 1995 Mel Gibson film, Braveheart. In fact, it’s one of those movies (along with
The Godfather, Goodfellas, and Booty Call), that I’ll stop and watch as I channel-surf. However, like The Patriot (huh, should’ve also included that one. I really like that, too), Mel has taken
flagrant liberty with historical fact.
Doesn’t diminish my enjoyment. It just is what it is.
Sir William Wallace (ca 1270- August 23, 1305) has become
famous for leading his countrymen against occupation by England during the First
War of Scottish Independence. For his crime of “treason,”
he was brutally executed in London with his body parts being spread throughout
the land as a warning.
I. Kus Primae Noctis, the law which states the local noble has the right to bed a Scottish woman on her wedding night...
 |
| "Dibs." |
There is no evidence that this actually existed.
II. Battle of Stirling Bridge
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| The movie battle was missing rebellion leader, Andrew Mornay |
And...the bridge.
III. Braveheart
The honorific most accurately belonged to Robert the Bruce. When his buddy, James Douglas went to fight the Moors, he carried Robert's heart with him (imagine the smell). NOTE: The quick-witted among you would realize that Robert was probably dead. When Douglas launched into battle with the Saracens (aka 'Moors.' Possibly 'Moops.'), he threw the heart at them, crying, "Lead on, brave heart, lead on!"
IV. William Wallace's father
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| "You mean that death thing was bollocks?" |
His name was Alan, not Malcolm. And he was likely alive during William's rebellion. But, so proud that he put his son's accomplishments on the Wallace refrigerator.
V. William's Uncle Argyle
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| "More shite, laddie!" |
Completely Hollywood fabrication.
VI. William Wallace: Simple Highlander farmer
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| Yeah, no. |
Actually, he was a Scottish noble of lowland stock. Who still probably pooped outside.
VII. Isabella, wife of Edward II, future Queen of England (she, not he)
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| "Hey, keeps my chin warm. Get off my ass." |
The two likely never met. Besides, she was three years old during the Battle of Falkirk. Either Gibson really took creative liberties or William was a wicked pedophile.
VIII. Wallace's facepaint
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| Yeah, that shit was soooooo 4th century! |
IX. Two-Handed Claymore
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| Looks, badass but... |
X. Longshanks died when William did
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| "No, seriously, it's just a cold. Crap, I shoulda worn that thing my daughter-in-law has." |
Actually, despite the fact it made for great cinema, Edward Longshanks died two years after Wallace did.
XI. William Wallace death
 |
| Okay, yeah, they pretty much got that right. Although, if anything, it was worse. Still gross, though. |
Bottom line, you shouldn't take Hollywood as gospel (it's a lot like Penwasser Place that way). For whatever reason, as entertaining as movies often are, their loyalty to historical accuracy should always be taken with a grain of salt.
Now that I mention it, I'm starting to question that whole Titanic thing.
I've never seen Braveheart, but I have seen The Patriot... I only watched it once though, I was too sad when heath ledger and his wife died.
ReplyDeleteI get what you are saying about not taking Hollywood as truth...my mind was blown when i found out the t-rex wasn't from the Jurassic period.
To say “The Patriot” took liberties with historical fact is an understatement. That said, I liked it very much.
DeleteThis is Birgit..I need to catch up..busy week and very tired at night. Anyhoo, love this film and the soundtrack. I have to admit, when Mel Gibson’s intestines are being taken out, he yells “Freedom!”, I roll my eyes and giggle just a bit because I hardly believe anyone would have the ability to yell that. I always took this film with a grain of salt because I knew that not much is known about William Wallace. I felt it was wrong how Robert The Bruce was portrayed because he never gave in to the Brits like he did in the film. I do love the fight scenes
ReplyDeleteI believe Robert the Bruce got totally screwed over here. One thing which ended up on the cutting room floor: I originally wrote that I would have yelled "Mercy!" lonnnnnnnnggggg before they threatened me with disembowelment. Call me a coward but....
DeleteIncidentally, in a related "cowardly" vein....no way would I have gone the way Moses did (if, indeed, he was an Egyptian big shot).
That would be so much more meaningful if I watched movies, lol. Besides, when I saw Wallace, I thought you were going to do George Wallace, the racists Robert Ironsides.
ReplyDeleteThat wouldn't have been a bad idea, either.
DeleteAlways interesting what gets changed/left out/added when we adapt history for stage, screen, or fiction. @samanthabwriter from
ReplyDeleteBalancing Act
Sometimes, I wonder why. Especially, when the true story is so much more compelling.
DeleteIt's historical fiction - creative liberties are to be expected. A memorable film. Here from the A-Z and enjoyed your post. All the best.
ReplyDeleteThat’s exactly why I don’t get all wrapped up in historical accuracy. For instance, while I thoroughly enjoyed “Gladiator,” I knew Commodus wasn’t killed in the Colosseum by a former Roman general.
DeleteI thought this was going to be about Wallace and Gromit... but it was still good! Lol!
ReplyDeleteOh, now, that would have been funny! Not in keeping with the "history" aspect of this, but funny. Maybe next year...
DeleteI've never seen the movie. I heard about the ending, and I knew I couldn't stomach it. (I don't do well with other people's suffering.)
ReplyDeleteAs for Titanic, I actually had to explain to students that the Titanic was an actual ship that actually sank. The thought the whole thing was fiction.
The ending was pretty gross, so good call.
DeleteAs to kids not knowing Titanic actually happened, there are some adults who think the same thing. Keep up the good work setting our youth straight!