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Extra Credit: Braveheart

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Braveheart Extra Credit Braveheart begins with a voice overcast giving background of William Wallace and his family. It takes place in 13th Century Scotland feuding with the ruthless English rule. As a boy, his brother and father are murdered in their efforts to free their country. Consequently, our hero, William Wallace, is placed under his learned uncle’s care where the audience does not meet him again until Wallace is a full grown adult returning to his now deteriorating childhood home. Upon his arrival, Wallace reunites with his true love and plans to farm the land he was forced to leave behind many years before. During this time, Wallace is approached by his father’s old fellow comrades and asked to join and fight for the Scot’s freedom. …show more content…

Important characters such as Sir William Wallace, Murran (actually named Marion), Robert the Bruce, Isabella of France, and more were all real people that the basis of Braveheart takes place around. Nonetheless, there were many inaccuracies. For example, it is believed that Wallace was born an aristocrat and had been knighted much earlier than the feature depicted. Marion and the hero did not, in actuality, meet until about the time that Marion aged 18. Robert the Bruce did not take advice from his dying father, but instead was motivated by “omens” such as that of a spider swinging from rafter to rafter. Isabella of France could never of had an affair or warn Wallace of anything due to the fact that at the time Braveheart takes place, Isabella was merely a toddler. Analyzing the events of the film indicate that Wallace did lead the rebellion against English rulers in 1296, win at Stirling Bridge, lose at Falkirk, was captured, tried and executed as depicted. However, there were many details of each place that were changed. For one example, the movie did not even have a bridge at the battle of Stirling Bridge. The setting of Scotland and England were as portrayed, but, as aforementioned, were over-exaggerated for the sole purpose of cinematic appeal. All in all, the historical value of this film is just above absolute trash, but that does not distract from the sheer perfection of this 5 star

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