Free Term Paper on William Wallace and the Movie Braveheart
Braveheart
vs.
William Wallace
The movie Braveheart, directed by
Mel Gibson and released in 1995, is an epic tale about a Scottish hero named
William Wallace. The movie is exceptionally accurate when compared with other
historical movies. However, changes have been made to make the film more
entertaining and romantic. Despite some minor historical glitches, Braveheart is
wonderfully composed and really gives the viewer a good idea of what living in
Scotland in the 13th-14th centuries would have been like.
Braveheart starts
out with a young William Wallace whose father, a Scottish patriot, is killed by
the English. He comes back to the village of his birth when he is much older.
There, he meets Murron who he knew from his childhood. They get married. An
English Sheriff kills Murron. Wallace kills the Sheriff and proceeds to fight
many more battles with the assistance of his fellow patriots. He has an affair
with the Princess of Wales, Isabella, and fathers her child. The King of
England, Edward I, executes him (Braveheart, movie).
Language:
The movie Braveheart is almost entirely in English. The Scottish nobles,
rebels and peasants as well as the English soldiers and royalty all speak
English. Princess Isabella, her lady in waiting and Wallace were the only
exceptions. Isabella, when speaking to her lady, spoke entirely French. Wallace
displayed his knowledge of both French and Latin at various points all the way
through the movie. All of the Scottish characters, including Wallace, displayed
delightful Scottish accents throughout the entirety of the production
(Braveheart, movie).
One of the major differences between reality and the
motion picture was very obvious from the beginning. Language. Scottish people of
that particular time period, 13th-14th centuries, would not have spoken English.
Rather, the uneducated people would be speaking their native Gaelic, and
educated Scotsman would have been speaking either Gaelic or Latin (Braveheart,
commentary). The real William Wallace did know English, French, Gaelic, and
Latin, but one finds it hard to believe that he would have spoken much beyond
Gaelic around his uneducated countryman (Campbell, 1). The rest of the
characters, with the exception of Princess Isabella and her lady in waiting,
also spoke English in the movie. Again, the Scottish would have been speaking
Gaelic in reality, but the Englishmen would have still spoken English. The
reason for this inaccuracy is understandable. If the producer, Mel Gibson, would
have required all of the Scottish and Irish characters in the movie to have
spoken Gaelic or Latin, it would have taken an extremely long time for the
actors to learn not only the lines, but their translation. Those actors which
weren’t already fluent in Gaelic would have had to learn the translation in an
effort to have performed with emotion and feeling. It’s hard to act out words
that have no meaning to the actor. Another downfall to a film almost entirely in
Gaelic was its audience. The audience for this production was for the most part
English speaking. This fact alone would have called for subtitles. Not only are
subtitles more expensive for the producer, they also make the picture less
enjoyable for its patrons (Braveheart, commentary). This inaccuracy of language
can, however be forgiven. The language was changed for one simple reason, to
make the movie more suitable for its viewers.
Characters:
William Wallace
The main character in Braveheart, William
Wallace, played by Mel Gibson, starts out life wanting nothing to do with the
turmoil that his country was facing. However, has he grew older, and after the
murder of his wife, Murron, played by Catherine McCormak, he finds the hero
within himself and joins up with his fellow Scotsmen to fight for Scottish
freedom. He is extremely successful in battle, and become notorious for showing
no mercy to the lives of the English. He slaughters them with casual fray. After
he loses a battle, he is captured by the English and taken to the castle of King
Edward I. There he is tried for treason, hanged, drawn, and beheaded. Also
during his life, he has an affair with Princess Isabella, and is the father of
her baby. This makes for a very suspense filled production, but is not entirely
truthful (Braveheart, movie).
The real William Wallace was born in Scotland,
and lived in a small village. He was the son of a nobleman who was killed by
English soldiers for opposing their force in Scotland (Campbell, 1). Wallace
leaves with his uncle to receive an education. Upon his arrival, he is reunited
with Murron, and marries her. The Sheriff of Lanark kills her soon after. In
reality, he was also a passionate Scottish patriot. Up until this part of the
movie, it is remarkably accurate in its portrayal of Wallace. Princess
Isabella’s affair with Wallace was completely inaccurate however. Wallace wasn’t
even alive when she was married to the Prince (Trial 2). The section of the
movie where Wallace is executed is also very realistic except for the part where
the Princess tells the King that she is carrying Wallace’s child. The
screenwriter, Randall Wallace, no doubt wrote in this fictitious part of the
story to and yet another flair of romance into the film (Braveheart,
commentary).
Robert (I) the Bruce
Robert Bruce, played by Angus
MacFayden, is a very confused character from the beginning. He is aware that his
title brings with it, certain obligations, but he is also mindful of his duty to
the people he serves. He swears to Wallace that he will fight with the Scottish,
but doesn’t show up to the battle. At the same time, a mysterious man whose face
is hidden by a helmet is fighting along side the King. When Wallace later goes
after the King, the helmeted man knocks him off of his horse. The man’s mask is
removed, and it is Robert Bruce. He has betrayed his friend. Bruce changes his
mind, and invites Wallace to a meeting with him where Wallace is tricked and
captured. Bruce takes up arms with Wallace’s army and defeats the English at the
battle of Bannockburn (Braveheart, movie).
In my research, I was unable to
find much information about Robert Bruce. I did find documentation that he was a
friend of Wallace’s, and shared similar political interests. Bruce also led
Wallace’s army in their victory at the Battle of Bannockburn (M. Campbell, 7).
He was later crowned King of Scotland (Robert 1).
Edward I
The
character of Edward I, played by Patrick McGoohan, is the King of England. From
the very beginning, he is portrayed as evil and a tyrant. In the introduction of
the movie, they even go as far as to call him a “ruthless pagan” (Braveheart,
movie). At no time in the film is the King seen showing mercy to anyone or
anything. He beats his son, and goes as far killing his son’s lover. He kills
innocent people, and displays no regard for human life. Money, land, and power
seem to dominate his life. Unfortunately, he abuses his power, and steps on many
people to get what he desires, which is rule over much of Europe (Braveheart,
movie). In real life, these accusations are a mystery.
My research concluded
that Edward I was a King known for building lavish castles, not for killing and
tyranny (Prestwick, 5). Edward I did rule over Scotland, and was a part of the
warfare. However, the manner in which he conducted himself and his army still
remains unknown.
Princess Isabella
In the production,
Braveheart, Princess Isabella is first introduced when she is seen marrying
Edward II, Prince of Wales. She is later sent to negotiate with William Wallace
regarding the Scottish rebellions. She falls in love with him. Ultimately, she
ends up having an affair with Wallace. And at the end of the movie, she is
carrying his child. She tells the King about her pregnancy just minutes before
his death, and she swears that Edward II will not rule England for long
(Braveheart, movie).
The role of Princess Isabella in the film, Braveheart,
is entirely fictional. She was not even married to Edward II until two to three
years after Wallace’s execution (M. Campbell, 12). Her affair with Wallace does
make for a wonderfully romantic tale; however, it’s just not accurate.
The movie Braveheart was, for the most part, accurate. Some minor
changes were made mainly to fill in gaps in the tale that have been lost
throughout history. Modifications to the original story were necessary for the
viewer would be able to enjoy the movie, and get a real feel for what it would
have really been like to be William Wallace.
Works Cited
Archer, Ed. William Wallace – A Blow for Freedom. 1998. Biggar-net. 5
Dec. 2001
Braveheart. Dir. Mel Gibson. Perf. Mel Gibson, Sophie Marceau, Patrick
McGoohan, Catherine McCormak, and Angus MacFayden. Paramount, 1995.
Campbell, Melanie. The History Behind Braveheart. 16 Aug. 1996. 22 Jan.
2002
Campbell, Roy. Sir
William Wallace. Electric Scotland. 5 Dec. 2001
Edward I. 1 Jan.
2000. Electric Library. 26 Nov. 2001
Funk & Wagnalls New World Encyclopedia.
“Despenser, Hugh Le.” EBSCO
Publishing. 23 Jan. 2002
Gillingham, John. Sir William Wallace. 2000.
Electric Library. 26 Nov. 2001
National Wallace
Monument. Impressions. 5 Dec. 2001
Prestwick, Michael. "The Art of Kingship:
Edward I, 1272-1307." History Today. May
1985: 34-40
“Robert (I) the Bruce (1274-1329).” The
Hutchinson Dictionary of British History. 1
Jan. 1998. Electric Library. 26
Nov. 2001
The
Trial of William Wallace. Duhaime.org. 5 Dec. 2001