Page 98 - All About History - Issue 16-14

HISTORY HOLLYWOOD

VS

Fact versus fi ction on the silver screen

BRAVEHEART

Director: Mel Gibson Starring: Mel Gibson, Sophie Marceau,
Patrick McGoohan Country of origin: USA Year made: 1995
How much artistic freedom was used What they got right
The bare bones of the film’s
in this Hollywood retelling of William plot are correct. Wallace led a
rebellion against the English in
Wallace’s fight for Scottish independence? 1296, won a battle at Stirling
Bridge and was defeated at
Falkirk before being captured and
executed. But that’s as far as the
WHAT THEY GOT WRONG… historical accuracy extends in this
fantastical blockbuster.

Wallace and other Scottish Robert the Bruce is shown The young Wallace of Wallace is shown having an Edward I Longshanks is
01 characters are seen wearing 02 to secretly side with the 03 the film is depicted as 04 affair with Princess Isabella, 05 shown drawing his final
belted plaid. No Scots in that period English and betray Wallace on the a struggling commoner, but it is who implies the child she is carrying breath before Wallace is executed,
would have worn belted plaids or battlefield, but this is not true. He thought that Wallace’s family had is Wallace’s. The real Isabella was making for a bittersweet ending.
kilts, as it was not introduced until fought and helped to obtain Scottish minor nobility due to his father. born in 1295 and Wallace was killed However, Wallace was executed on
the 16th century. Additionally, when independence. and the nickname William was a landowner and was in 1305, making her only ten years 23 August 1305 and Edward I didn’t
belted plaid was worn, it was not in ‘Braveheart’ was first used to also a knight even before the Battle old at the time. Her child was born die until 7 July 1307, while leading
the fashion depicted in the movie. describe Robert, not Wallace. of Stirling Bridge. in 1312, years after Wallace’s death. an invasion of Scotland.

© Alamy

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