Braveheart, a film by and with Mel Gibson

[BKnight]

“They may take our lives… but they’ll never take… our FREEDOM!!!!!!” yells Mel Gibson in one of the best movies ever made. Although, many Scots told me that they are not very pleased with this movie (Mel not being a Scot himself and some of the facts not being historically correct) this remains a great film. Mel Gibson is at the same time director and actor. Interesting, no?
For those of you who had not YET seen the film, here’s a synopsis: England, Middle Ages, Anno Domini 1290. The english abuse the Scottish people. A brave(heart) Scot, William Wallace, stands up to them. After his wife is killed by an english noble, he swears revenge and rallies all the Scottish clans against the invaders. After, years of constant fighting, he is captured and beheaded. But, the memory of his courage still lives in the hearts of his men, and at Bannockburn, in 1314 they defeat the english army and win their freedom.
Mel Gibson won 5 Academy Awards with this movie (one for best director).
I think, that I would be a little unhappy too, if an american or a french, or an english would star as a great leader of romainian history in a movie about my people. But, if the result would be so great as this I wouldn’t care.
On the other hand, I think that the scottish people owe a little to Mel Gibson. If it hadn’t been for his movie I wouldn’t have ever found out about the Stirling battle, or about Bannockburn, or about some scottish customs (which I find very interesting and beautiful). I would have remained with the belief that the scots are some guys that dress in skirts and play that ridiculous bagpipe. But, after I’ve seen the movie, I decided to do a little research about Scots and their history. I found out that they have the coolest accent in the world and a most interesting history (mush like the one of my own people). Ah, I’ve nearly forgot: I love the bagpipe music now.

[lordoffools]

Ach, they're narry but destroyin' all! I've never liked that Gibson fellow (apparently I'm meant to believe he's an aussie.) And now he mutilates our history (I've Scottish ancestors). AND NEXT: I hear he's making a story about Boudica! NOoooo! What next? Chuchilain? Sorry, but I've got certain issues. Don't get me wrong, it was a good movie... if you assume it was not actual fact, but based on it. rather like the LOTR movies....

[Nurumaiel]

Hmm... well... I've heard two different opinions on the movie which I have been interested in seeing for awhile now.

I'm of Scottish descent, so you'd expect me to panic if I heard that the movie wasn't historically accurate, but I'm actually not that fussy over such things. It's just a bit of a disappointment (and I still think someone should make an astounding film about Bonnie Prince Charlie!).

BUT, BKnight, you offend my Scottish pride hideously when you talk about skirts and ridiculous bagpipes! There is a world of difference between a kilt and a skirt, and.... *trails off at the end of the post, then breaks into radiant smile* I know, aren't bagpipes lovely? I do hate the stereotype Scots that are put in various cartoons/films. The kind that make kilts, bagpipes, and Highland dancing something for fools.

Your good review heartens me, and I think I shall look into seeing Braveheart.

I have one question, though: after William Wallace's wife dies, does he eventually meet and fall in love with another lassie? I wouldn't be surprised if he did, but I would be pleasantly surprised if he didn't. And don't tell me any more than is absolutely necessary to answer my question.

I think I'll watch the movie, regardless, however...

But I STILL think someone should make an astounding movie about Bonnie Prince Charlie (yes, and entitle it 'Sound the Pibroch')!

[Dragoneyes]

Well, seeing as everyone's taking it upon themselves to stand up for the Scots, I think I'll be rather English. We'd been fighting the Scots for centuries! They are the reason for Hadrians wall, and were always attacking the north of England. So don't expect us to be all nice and friendly when we do finally break through.

He's doing Boudicca? I love Boudicca! When the Britons finally beat up the Romans a bit (even though I've probably got much Roman blood in my veins but that can't be helped). At least Mr. Gobson wouldn't be able to play the lead role in that film. It'd be good if he played Boudicca's husband, then he'd die.

I wonder how they'd manage the raping bit...

[BKnight]

Nurumaiel, I'm always pleaased to chat, talk, with scots (even descendents). The movie is basically old, about 8-9 years old, so it won't be too hard to get a copy, rent a dvd, a video or anything. I wouldn't say that he's falling in love, but he has an affair with a noble lady. (do you want to know who she is?) I didn't understand it also, for a while. Keep in touch, Nuru.
I don't know exactly, but isn't it spelled "Boadiceea"?

[Lossentilien]

As an official born (kinda) and bred Scot, I think I should probably put in my two cents.
First of all, the accents in Braveheart are hysterically wrong, and throughout my life I've rarely heard worse. Not that this is bad, it makes the movie even funnier for those of us who live here. Second, and I know this is only opinion, but I cannot stand bagpipes and believe that they sound scarily similar to the that of a cat being strangled. And as for the whole stereotype of Scots, I've only once in my life worn anything even remotely similar to a kilt, but it was in actual fact a tartan mini skirt and I was going through a punk phase. As for Scottish dancing, I've don't have a clue. And never wish to.
Not that I don't love where I live, but to be honest, most of Scotland is either really dull (but beautiful) or absolutely horrible and full of what we like to refer to as NEDS. I think you English call them pikies...
So in conclusion, I don't really care for Braveheart, I can see how people would like it, but it seems very unrealistic, the continuity is apalling, and the accents are hilarious.

Oh, and I know a guy who's talking to Steven Spielberg about a script he's written about Prince Charlie, doesn't look like anything'll come of it, but you never know!

[Dragoneyes]

isn't it spelled "Boadiceea"?

Or Boudicea or Budica. I've always taken Boudicca to be correct though. I find that it's one of those scones/scones things (one's pronounced scone and the other scon) either you think it's one way or the other and people who disagree with you aren't your friend.

[BKnight]

Well, I see that everybody has his own opinion. Anyway, as I have said the movie touched a deep chord inside me, made me rethink my value system, and made me do a lot of researh about scots and their history. And, to be honest, nobody is perfect, and if you are looking for flaws you are def going to find them. IMHO, it was the best movie about scots.

[Dragoneyes]

Well, there aren't that many films about Scots are there? Not exactly a very interesting subject are they?

No thrown objects please, just being English .

[BKnight]

Just being a romanian observer...
The english killed Wallace, and Joan of Arc...
That reminds me. I should start a post about Joan of Arc movie with Mila Johovich.

[Dragoneyes]

So what if we did? Do you realise how many times England was invaded by the countries of these people's origin?

The English/French thing was very much ongoing thugh England never actually gained control of France (we whipped their butts on numerous occasions though).

I'm rather OT aren't I? Oh well.

Oh yes, Boudicca was killed by the romans, wahey!

Where did Joan of Arc come from?

[BKnight]

The Maid of Orleans? Joan of Arc? She's french! And if I rememb correctly, during the 100 year war (actually 116 years) the english got their bottoms pretty whooped by the french.
Now, don't get me wrongo! I hate french language, like very much english, though the both nations had their mistakes during the ages.
And if we were to count invasions, I'm telling you, we romanians were invaded ten times more. Hey, am I making romanian ppl seem weak... If I do, then remember this: if it weren't for the romanians, the turks would have invaded Russia, discover America, and transform Notre Dame and Tower Bridge in nice little sinagogs, with pointy, goofy tops. Of course, this is one of my theories (not qed-ed yet), so feel free to fight it.
But we are getting offffffffffff topic

[Dragoneyes]

during the 100 year war (actually 116 years) the english got their bottoms pretty whooped by the french

Well, it wouldn't have been 116 years long if only one side had ever won.

Never liked the Turks, always preferred the Greeks.

Who invaded Romania? Sorry, don't know much about the rest of Europe. Ask me about somewhere that was part of the British Empire and I may know something but other than that I'm pretty crap.

We went off topic a long time ago. I don't really have much more to say on topic. (except that the English weren't the evillest evil evil men of all time - remember that!)

[Faramir]

I didn't see much wrong with Braveheart in a historical sense. The battles are there, they're in order, the right people are present. They can't help having the 'wrong Scottish accents'. None of them are actually Scottish, so good for them for mastering the accent at all.
I can see why a country might be upset at an actor not of their nationality taking a lead role from their history, but it's nice that that person is taking an interest in a relatively obscure piece of history and making a heck of a lot more people aware of its occurrance. They tried hard to construct a fairly accurate re-telling.

Boadicea is the misspelt version, created by a monk.
The currently correct version is Boudicca.
I hope Mel does make a movie about Boudicca. The televised version Warrior Queen was inspiring, but I'd like to see what they make of it with a larger budget. And I hope Mel takes a role, but perhaps not a leading role. I'd rather like to see him in a toga, as a Roman senator or an army General (I forget the name of the one I'm thinking of).
The rape won't be hard to cover. They can either make it a 'clean' rape, ie. minimal violence, gore, exposure. Or they can do a fair bit of slapping about and ordering of said rape, show the girls being dragged away, and fade out at that point.

I've got nothing against the Scots (I'm a big fan of Braveheart), and nothing against the English. A lot of countries have attempted an invasion, and it makes sense to begin closest to home.
Besides, the Scots have tried their hand at a few takeovers. The Percys were continuously putting down rebellions in Northumberland, and Catherine sent an army to defeat the Scottish king who laid claim to the English throne or something along those lines. Then there was Mary Stuart and her claims to the throne.
Then the Scots successfully claimed England for their own when the Scottish king inherited the English throne and united the two countries, thus England actually became part of Scotland, not the other way round.

The French/English deal turned into a friendly rivalry a long time ago. They've both attempted a fair few invasions of each other's shores, and they've learned to respect each other and their similar outlooks.

Joan of Arc is a beautiful movie. And I've nothing against the English for burning the girl. She was spoiling their fun, they were bound to get cranky. It was only in the last few years of the Hundred Years' War that the French finally got a few victories on the English, they having been the ones to roundly whoop the French arses early on (Crecy, Poitiers, etc.).

[Nuru]

As far as the film goes, I'm awfully sorry to hear that the fellow has an affair with a girl, but I suppose it's something that one must expect in films. Aside from that (and the ridiculous Scottish accents I hear of ) is the movie pretty good?

And as Highland dancing goes, Lossie, since you don't want to hear I won't say anything, save that it's interesting for those that take interest in culture.

And thank you, I must say, for the vague mention of what Scotland/the Scottish are like. I had a faint idea that it wasn't much like my own dear land, Ireland, but it's nice to know a bit more. I'd just like to know something: Are all the older ladies there catty? No, NO! Don't take me seriously. I'm just teasing. My grandfather was very unfortunate to run into a lot of catty old ladies, but I know some very sweet ones.

And for kilts... exactly right. It's astounding how many people there are in the USA who believe that kilts are the Scots everyday garb, that they're constantly playing the bagpipes, and that the only other thing they're capable of doing is Highland dancing. I think they're becoming a bit more educated on the subject now, however.

And, Dragoneyes, I can't complain of the treatment of the Scots by the English, because I'm not that knowledgable on that history, but I can and do grieve over what the Irish suffered at the hands of the English.

Faramir, neither am I surprised that the English burned Joan of Arc, but I can't say that I feel it was right.

Bother, I just realized I wrote this post without signing in. How awful...