Brave Heart

Brave Heart by Mel Gibson

This film was realised by Mel Gibson which is an Australian actor and film director. It’s talking about the fight between the English and the Scottish during the XIII^th century through the character of William Wallace (played by Mel Gibson).

Historical context:

In 1286, Alexander III, king of Scotland, died without any son so the crown makes the powerful Scottish nobles fight among themselves. That’s why the king of <st1:country-region>England</st1:country-region>, Edward I^st, which was the most cruel English king ever tried to take control of <st1:country-region><st1:place>Scotland</st1:place></st1:country-region>. To manage to do this, he corrupted the nobles offering them more power and lands in <st1:country-region><st1:place>England</st1:place></st1:country-region>. But soon he’s stopped by rebels directed by William Wallace. In the beginning, they won several battles like Stirling and took control of <st1:city><st1:place>York</st1:place></st1:city>. But the corrupt nobles betrayed him during the battle of <st1:place>Falkirk</st1:place> in 1298 where he’s captured. He was beheaded in <st1:city><st1:place>London</st1:place></st1:city> the same year. Edward I^st died in 1307 leaving his throne to his weak son, Edward II.

 Synopsis:

William Wallace is a Scottish common boy when he is first confronted to the cruelty of Edward I^st: he went into a farm where all the nobles were supposed to meet the king to make a truce of peace but they’ve been hung. After this, young William has to face the loss of his father and brother who tried to fight. So it’s his uncle who takes care of him and made his education.

At the same time, <st1:country-region>England</st1:country-region> celebrates the arranged union of the king’s son and the daughter of his worst enemy, the king of <st1:country-region><st1:place>France</st1:place></st1:country-region>. Edward I^st wants to control <st1:country-region><st1:place>Scotland</st1:place></st1:country-region> and he creates a law named Prima Nocta which allowed English soldiers to share the bed the Scott bright on her first night.

A few years later, William who’s now a man comes back to his village and secretly married the woman he was always in love with, Murron. But she is killed by the English soldiers because she refused the right of Prima Nocta.

Desperate and furious, William creates an army composed of Scott patriots which quickly grew more and more important. They avenge Murron and they decide to protect <st1:place><st1:country-region>Scotland</st1:country-region></st1:place> from the English power.

At the beginning, the nobles who are fighting for the <st1:country-region>Scotland</st1:country-region> crown support William and his army especially Robert the Bruce, one of the most powerful nobles of <st1:country-region><st1:place>Scotland</st1:place></st1:country-region>, admires Wallace’s courage. They manage to beat the English army several times and to take control of the town of <st1:city><st1:place>York</st1:place></st1:city>. But soon they betray him because they’ve been corrupt by <st1:country-region><st1:place>England</st1:place></st1:country-region>.

Finally, William is defeated at the battle of <st1:place>Falkirk</st1:place> even with the help of the Irish and the informations of the daughter-in-law of the King of England who fall in love with him. He is captured a bit later. He is tortured in <st1:place><st1:city>London</st1:city></st1:place> before being beheaded cut into pieces. At the same time Edward I^st died from sickness, leaving the throne to his weak son who is already controlled by his wife.

This death made him a hero of <st1:country-region>Scotland</st1:country-region> and Robert the Bruce who feels guilty about the death of this wonderful man, decides to continue the fight against <st1:country-region><st1:place>England</st1:place></st1:country-region>.

My opinion: I think this is one of the best films I ever saw (I watched it two times in less than 2 weeks). Mel Gibson completely respected the real history and it makes it even better. The cast is absolutely great and there is even a French actress, Sophie Marceau!!! This is a very strong story and I can’t help crying every time I watch it. So I only have one advice: go get this film as fast as you can and watch it!!!!!

M.G

2nde13