An interesting review of a very inaccurate movie

[Father Bill]

An interesting commentary on a very very very VERY inaccurate movie.

http://m.warhistoryonline.com/mediev...got-right.html

[MacEanruig]

Interesting review. Unfortunately, I see folks parading around at Scottish Games and gatherings in the US who take Gibson's romantic version literally and base their dress on such nonsense.

[walkerk]

Clickbait?

[Father Bill]

Clickbait?

Only if you don't want to read the article.

[javankrona]

Well. Just reading the first point, "peasant leader vs. lessor noble," this the reviewer got wrong. Magnus Magnusson's Scotland history puts William Wallace as a peasant unknown entity rather than any class of nobility. History is a damn peculiar think, that.

[javankrona]

The reviewer was also a bit silly trying to claim a negative point regarding Edward I's health. Movie timelines are contracted, Edward I was in poor (aging) health. He may have died during his last campaign, but nonetheless, died essentially in his bed due to his failing health on the campaign ... a campaign that progressed very slowly due to Edward I's health.

[javankrona]

An interesting final point, the reviewer states that the movie was 1 for 3 regarding points of import:

Braveheart inaccurately portrays the heroism of William Wallace, the evil of Edward I, and a thousand other details. But in providing a complex picture of Robert Bruce, a man usually idealised in fiction, it brings something surprisingly accurate to the screen.

I have to completely disagree. Reading Magnus Magnusson's Scotland, the heroism of Wallace was captured, one that created a great deal of jealousy in Robert Bruce who attempted to write Wallace out of history. And it also captured as well the single-mindedness of Edward's desire to completely subjugate Scotland.

So based on the reviewers 3 important points, Gibson was 3 for 3.

[Mael Coluim]

Wonder if it could be quantified in $ or #s how this movie impacted; attendance to Scotland Games, buying of kilts and trips to Scotland.

Thanks for sharing Fr. Bill+.

[Mikilt]

Wonder if it could be quantified in $ or #s how this movie impacted; attendance to Scotland Games, buying of kilts and trips to Scotland.

Thanks for sharing Fr. Bill+.

Truly, Hollywood is a better travel agent than history teacher.

Would you have ever heard of Dyersville, IA if not for the Field of Dreams? Tourism in Northern Ireland, Iceland and Malta is enjoying Game of Thrones. 50 years later, the hills of Salzburg are still alive with the Sound of Music.

Not to forget Lord of the Rings and New Zealand and those who flock to Yorkshire to see Downton Abbey.

[ctbuchanan]

Wonder if it could be quantified in $ or #s how this movie impacted; attendance to Scotland Games, buying of kilts and trips to Scotland.

Thanks for sharing Fr. Bill+.

I can only speak for my area, but there was a huge "Braveheart" effect here in the northeast in the late 1990's. The New Hampshire Highland Games experienced their largest attendance going over 40,000 for the first time. The bump lasted several years in NH and at other games before going down. It has only just recently gone back up to those numbers. This resurgence is hopefully a more solid interest in all things Scottish although Outlander has given a mall boost I think as well. Several small games have closed their gates since the 90s, but the rest seem to be doing OK again now.

As for one other comment about people attending the games all costumed up like Mel Gibson, I don't see that at all up here. There are a few reenactors around but they are the serious sort like the members of this forum. It is extremely rare to see anyone with the breacan an fheilidh. You will see the odd man kilted with a gigantic sword strapped to his back, not sure what that is all about.