The 1996 film Braveheart, directed by Mel Gibson, has been lauded as a sweeping historical drama, but beneath its grandiose surface lies a tangled web of inaccuracies, stereotypes, and misconceptions. The film’s portrayal of the Scots and the English is rife with inaccuracies, showcasing the Scots as manly men and the English as weaker and more feminine. The depiction of female characters is also problematic, with Wallace’s wife, Murron MacClannough, being publicly executed, and Isabella of France being portrayed as a naive and flirtatious teenager.
The film’s battle scenes are another area where inaccuracies abound. The Battle of Stirling Bridge, for example, is depicted as a chaotic affair, with the Scottish army attacking the English army on a bridge that doesn’t actually exist. Moreover, the battle neglects to include the presence of Scottish leader Andrew de Moray, who played a significant role in the actual battle.
One of the most glaring inaccuracies in the film is the concept of “jus primae noctis,” or the “right of the first night,” which is depicted as a law enforced by King Edward I that allows English lords to take the virginity of newly married Scottish brides on the day of their wedding. However, this law has been widely discredited by historians and scholars, with no evidence to support its existence.
A Still From Braveheart Movie (Photo: Braveheart Movie)
Despite its inaccuracies, Braveheart is a visually stunning film, featuring grand battles and sweeping terrains. However, its portrayal of Wallace’s death is also not entirely accurate. Charged with treason, Wallace was actually hanged, drawn, and quartered, with his genitals being sliced off and his entrails burned in front of him.
The film’s inaccuracies are not limited to its battle scenes and historical events. The character of Wallace himself is also somewhat of a myth, with many details surrounding his life and death being disputed by historians. The film’s depiction of Wallace as a hero and a martyr is also questionable, with some historians arguing that he was more of a rebel leader than a national hero.
Braveheart is a film that is as much about myth-making as it is about historical accuracy. While it has its moments of grandeur and drama, it is ultimately a flawed and misguided portrayal of a significant chapter in Scottish history.
