Braveheart

[Andrew Breecher]

Just a little "Did you know" A good deal of Rob Roy was filmed in Austrailia Near Perth two castles were used Megginch and Drummond. good films both of them if you just take them for what they are..Entertainment

That may be, but I know that the village scenes in Rob Roy were filmed in Scotland, just at the base of Ben Nevis. My ex-girlfriend was hiking in Scotland and came across this ancient village...then was chased away by the film crew that had built it.

Andrew.

[An t-Ileach]

I agree with h_D about the effect that Braveheart (and Rob Roy) had on Scottish self-confidence. I think far too many liberties were taken with the stories of both characters (why change the name of Rob Roy's wife?). Maybe the historical allusions would perhaps have been better illustrated by having Jean Reno playing Wallace? He was after all, a Strathclyde Welshman and part of the Norman-Flemish aristocracy (Sir William Wallace of Elderslie) who probably spoke Norman French better than he spoke Scots. And, and...

But it really gave a boost to the Scots.

[Rob Wright]

Not to mention the help he recieved from the Douglases and Murray's.

Rob

[macwilkin]

Not to mention the help he recieved from the Douglases and Murray's.

Rob

And his support of the Balliol/Comyn claim to the throne, whilst the Bruce sought aid from Edward I -- that is one thing I really credit "Braveheart" for, showing the fact that Bruce was not always the ardent Scottish patriot that some of his apologists claim.

Cheers,

Todd

[Archangel]

Just to stir things up, not too much, I hope, Braveheart is not a lot different than the mythology of the western's cowboy. It inspires some positive things but when deconstructed, cannot be supported historically. It was good nationally to have some of the "frontier philosophy" brought home to Scotland. My feeling is most Scots know that it was factually "off" but bought into the spirit of it.

The sneaky side thread whisper of Gregory's Girl reminds me that it was a great movie. So was another by the same director, Comfort and Joy, aka The ice cream wars. Those two, and Local Hero, I think, give a good overview of Scottish popular philosophy. Restless Natives is still the best.

[An t-Ileach]

Not to mention the help he recieved from the Douglases and Murray's.

Rob

My grandfather could recite Marmion from cover to cover. Alas, I can only remember snatches - but, at least, they're ones that relate to Douglas:

"...The hand of Douglas is his own,
And never shall in friendly grasp,
The hand of such as Marmion clasp...

And dar'st thou then
To beard the lion in his den,
The Douglas in his hall?
And hop'st thou thence unscathed to go?...

O what a tangled web we weave,
When first we practise to deceive!..."

That about exhausts my snatches. I know it was about Flodden Field and not about Stirling Bridge or Bannockburn, but the anniversary of that battle has only just past.

And cajunscot, is it possible that the younger Bruce was shocked into getting on the right side after the brutal murder of Wallace?

[Graham]

(why change the name of Rob Roy's wife?)

I checked the photo I took at the Grave, rob Roy's wife is listed as being Mary, but with Helen in brackets. Not sure why. In the film she was Mary.

[Archangel]

I checked the photo I took at the Grave, rob Roy's wife is listed as being Mary, but with Helen in brackets. Not sure why. In the film she was Mary.

In the texts her name is Mary (Marie), too. Scott had it wrong, calling her Helen. The first reference book I picked up was Tranter's history, (not the historical fiction trilogy.)

[An t-Ileach]

In the texts her name is Mary (Marie), too. Scott had it wrong, calling her Helen. The first reference book I picked up was Tranter's history, (not the historical fiction trilogy.)

I must have got in wrong, then; that'll teach one to rely too much on Scott - he was, after all, dashing these stories off to pay a debt and presumably his editors weren't that fussed about historical accuracy as long as he met their dead-line.

[highlander_Daz]

You have to be careful about any "facts" concerning William Wallace, most people make the mistake of refering to stories spread by a chap called "blind Harry" written 200 years after Wallace was murdered, his place and date of birth are not know as facts, with several places laying claim to Wallaces birthplace, whilst his family resided in Elderslie no proof exists he was born there, for years people thought his father was called Malcolm, but it was since shown to be Alan, I think its likely then that Wallace would have had an older brother called Alan.

Wallaces capture was about 2 years after his defeat at Falkirk in which time he encouraged other countries to trade with Scotland, indeed a letter written by Wallace still exists.

Regardless of this, Wallace gave his life for a cause he believed in, he probably wasnt a nice man, he was most likely brutal, cruel and unforgiving, indeed he ordered a gallows to be erected in every town. however He belived that it is wrong for one person to dominate and abuse another for their own ends , and he would use all means at his disposal to bring an end to this, a cause that would end in a cruel and agonising death.

In 1314 Robert the Bruce finally achived independance for Scotland, without Wallace showing it was possible to defeat what was the most powerful and deadly army in the world, I dont think Bruce would have attempeted this.

What Wallace fought for 700 years ago is still as relevant today, for every Longshanks there is a Hitler/Saddam/BinLaden/Mugabe. etc. waiting in the wings.