Unexpected Historical Truths in Braveheart

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Ever since its release in 1995, Braveheart has been a whipping boy for scholars.

All of its historical inaccuracies – ranging from Mel Gibson’s blue painted face to its garbled chronology – have been gleefully pointed out.

And further fuel was poured on the fire this week by one of the film’s stars, Brian Cox, who said the Oscar-winning production was ‘b******s’.

While speaking at the Edinburgh International Book Festival, Cox described the film as a ‘complete lie, the entire thing,’ mentioning that he only agreed to play the fictional character of Wallace’s uncle Argyle after being persuaded by Gibson.

But the tale of Scotland’s push for ‘freeeeeeedom!’ against the tyrannical English did get a few things right.

Since its 1995 debut, Braveheart has been frequently criticized by scholars. Its historical inaccuracies, such as Mel Gibson’s blue painted face and its confused timeline, have been eagerly highlighted.

Brian Cox, who played William Wallace’s fictional uncle Argyle in Braveheart, said this week the film was ‘b******s’

The Scots were defeated at the Battle of Falkirk

One of the many fighting scenes in the film depicts 1298 Battle of Falkirk, which ended with Scottish defeat.

Troops led by Wallace fought valiantly but ultimately succumbed to the strength of the English army headed by King Edward I.

The version of the battle in Braveheart accurately depicts the desertion of the Scottish cavalry as defeat loomed.

Around 2,000 men on each side were killed, though the English force triumphed in part because of its overwhelming numerical superiority.

One of the many fighting scenes in the film depicts 1298 Battle of Falkirk, which ended with Scottish defeat

Troops led by Wallace fought valiantly but ultimately succumbed to the strength of the English army headed by King Edward I

William Wallace was betrayed

In Braveheart, Wallace is betrayed by noblemen Mornay and Lochlan in the lead-up to the Battle of Falkirk.

Gibson’s character goes on to kill the pair as revenge for their treachery.

Although Mornay and Lochlan were Hollywood inventions, Wallace really was betrayed.

The treachery of Scottish nobleman John Mnteith – who was not depicted in Braveheart – led to his capture near Glasgow in 1305.

A depiction of William Wallace, who remains a Scottish hero

William Wallace was gruesomely executed

One of the final scenes in Braveheart depicts Wallace’s gruesome execution.

The Scot was hanged, drawn and quartered at Smithfield in London.

The execution method entailed hanging the person until they were near death, then severing their genitals and disemboweling them while they remained alive.

Gibson opted not to depict Wallace’s death scene in graphic detail, and instead focused on his face as he was tortured and then cried out his message of defiance.

Sticklers will have pointed out that Wallace would have been in no fit state to shout out anything after being subjected to such horrendous disfigurement.

One of the final scenes in Braveheart depicts Wallace’s gruesome execution

A depiction of the moments leading up to Wallace’s execution at Smithfield in London

The English were defeated at Bannockburn

The final scenes of Gibson’s film depict the Scottish victory at the Battle of Bannockburn.

The clash, which took place in June 1314, saw Robert the Bruce’s Scots defeat English troops led by Edward II.

Robert’s victory at Bannockburn put paid to Edward’s plans to conquer Scotland.

In Braveheart, the ramshackle Scots charge at their enemies as the film ends by showing Wallace’s sword – having been thrown by Argyle – sticking out of the ground and wavering in the wind.