Cinema Cinema Cinema Cinema Cinema Cinema Cinema Cinema Cinem BRAVEHEART Film BRAVEHEART National diversity Production: USA 1995 49 BEFORE VIEWING file 3 What does the word devolution make you think of? A synopsis The film covers the life of William Wallace from the time he is a little boy, when his father dies, to his own death. Set in 13th century Scotland, the story is about the Scots struggle against the unjust rule of the English King. After his father s death at the hands of the English, William is brought up by his uncle who, being a great believer in education, takes him across the world where he learns Latin, French and the manly arts of war. Some years later, he returns to his homeland a man, ready to marry his childhood sweetheart, Murron, and have a family. Due to the opposition of Murron s father and the English nobles right to take a bride on her wedding night, William and Murron get married in secret. The honeymoon does not last long because the English soldiers try to rape Murron. At first William can beat back the soldiers from his wife, but then she is captured and executed in his presence. Now William Wallace is ready to start his lifelong battle against the English to free the people of Scotland. This common man is able to organise the villagers to attack the local fort and kill the magistrate responsible for the death of his wife. Then, with the help of a neighbouring clan, Wallace goes on with his war. He successfully defeats the English forces and his legend grows more and more. His successes continue, he finds love again and loses many good friends. Finally he is betrayed by some Scottish lords, handed over to the English King and he eventually dies like a hero. Director: Mel Gibson Starring: Mel Gibson, Sophie Marceau, Patrick McGoohan, Catherine McCormack Scotland today is a devolved country within the UK, but in the past centuries it was an independent nation which had to fight for its freedom. Braveheart speaks about one of the most important moments in Scottish history, that is when William Wallace, a Scottish hero, led the Scots against Edward I of England s attempts to take over their kingdom in the 1290s. The Scots had to fight throughout this period to maintain their independence from England. SOME HISTORY CORNER CURIOSITY Edward I the Longshanks, a Plantagenet king, tried to bring the whole island of Britain under his rule. He succeeded in conquering Wales, but he failed to conquer Scotland. Edward II, his son, was a feeble and frivolous monarch and the Scots took the offence led by Robert Bruce, who had a decisive victory at Bannockburn in 1314. To learn more about William Wallace: www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Wallace www.highlanderweb.co.uk/wallace