Latest news with #historical inaccuracies
Daily Mail
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
The surprising parts of Braveheart that were ACCURATE: From William Wallace's execution to Robert the Bruce becoming King of Scotland... after Brian Cox brands film 'b******s'
Ever since its release in 1995, Braveheart has been a whipping boy for scholars. All of its historical inaccuracies - ranging from Mel Gibson 's blue painted face to its garbled chronology - have been gleefully pointed out. And further fuel was poured on the fire this week by one of the film's stars, Brian Cox, who said the Oscar-winning production was 'b******s'. Speaking at the Edinburgh International Book Festival, Cox added that the film is a 'f***ing lie, the whole thing', and added he only agreed to portray Wallace's fictional uncle Argyle, after Gibson pleaded with him. But the tale of Scotland's push for 'freeeeeeedom!' against the tyrannical English did get a few things right. The Scots were defeated at the Battle of Falkirk One of the many fighting scenes in the film depicts 1298 Battle of Falkirk, which ended with Scottish defeat. Troops led by Wallace fought valiantly but ultimately succumbed to the strength of the English army headed by King Edward I. The version of the battle in Braveheart accurately depicts the desertion of the Scottish cavalry as defeat loomed. Around 2,000 men on each side were killed, though the English force triumphed in part because of its overwhelming numerical superiority. William Wallace was betrayed In Braveheart, Wallace is betrayed by noblemen Mornay and Lochlan in the lead-up to the Battle of Falkirk. Gibson's character goes on to kill the pair as revenge for their treachery. Although Mornay and Lochlan were Hollywood inventions, Wallace really was betrayed. The treachery of Scottish nobleman John Mnteith - who was not depicted in Braveheart - led to his capture near Glasgow in 1305. William Wallace was gruesomely executed One of the final scenes in Braveheart depicts Wallace's gruesome execution. The Scot was hanged, drawn and quartered at Smithfield in London. The killing method involved hanging someone until they were nearly dead and then cutting off their genitals and disembowelling them while they were still alive. Gibson opted not to depict Wallace's death scene in graphic detail, and instead focused on his face as he was tortured and then cried out his message of defiance. Sticklers will have pointed out that Wallace would have been in no fit state to shout out anything after being subjected to such horrendous disfigurement. The English were defeated at Bannockburn The final scenes of Gibson's film depict the Scottish victory at the Battle of Bannockburn. The clash, which took place in June 1314, saw Robert the Bruce's Scots defeat English troops led by Edward II. Robert's victory at Bannockburn put paid to Edward's plans to conquer Scotland. In Braveheart, the ramshackle Scots charge at their enemies as the film ends by showing Wallace's sword - having been thrown by Argyle - sticking out of the ground and wavering in the wind. Robert the Bruce did become King of Scotland Braveheart's depiction of Robert the Bruce leading his men into battle at Bannockburn comes after he has been crowned as Scotland's king. Robert became King of the Scots at Scone, near Perth, in 1306. After the formal inauguration, he agreed to be crowned for a second time by the Isabella MacDuff, the Countess of Buchan. That moment is immortalised in a tableau on display at Edinburgh Castle. Robert reigned until his death in 1329, when he was succeeded by his son, King David II.
The Independent
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Brian Cox labels Braveheart costumes a ‘lie'
Actor Brian Cox, who appeared in the film Braveheart, has labelled the Oscar-winning epic a 'lie' built on historical inaccuracies. Cox, a proud Scotsman, specifically criticised the film's inclusion of kilts, saying they were not worn in Scotland until the 16th century, despite the film being set in the late 13th century. He agreed with film critic Mark Kermode that the film is 'tosh-like' and 'a f***ing lie, the whole thing'. Despite his criticisms of the film's accuracy, Cox praised director and star Mel Gibson, calling him 'wonderful to work with' and 'a really good man'. In contrast, Gibson recently expressed joy about making Braveheart, becoming emotional while reflecting on the film's score at a musical performance in Ireland.
