Braveheart v gladiator

bodhrandude

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120109659#Comment_120109659

I agree here, I love Braveheart, but its definitely mostly fantasy. Someone noted earlier the battle of Stirling Bridge, it was in a fcuking field in the movie. That is a vital clue on the defeat at that battle where the Scots army blocked the English in both sides of the bridge and slaughtered them. What's even more fantasy and fictitious is the BBC's History of Scotland documentary series, its a bastardised English version of events.

raclle

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120111109#Comment_120111109

That sounds even better. I mean why change it?

Tony EH

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120111109#Comment_120111109

Never saw that series, but was aware at the time about various historians walking off the project. Never a good sign that. Hasn't Neil Oliver turned into a GB News twat subsequently as well?

As far as the battles in 'Braveheart' are concerned though, irrespective of the fact that Stirling Bridge forgot to turn up to its own scrap I thought the fighting scenes were well handled. They were appropriately bloody and painful looking and the terror of a cavalry charge was well realised. In fact, I think it's the battle scenes that play into a lot of the enjoyment that people get out of the movie, myself included.

breezy1985

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120112045#Comment_120112045

The rules on engagement (rules set by the big boys like England) stated that you had to let the army pass the bridge and form up for battle so basically Wallace "cheated". It's the medieval version of "one man's freedom fighter is another man's terrorist" But in my opinion fuk that.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120112166#Comment_120112166

I can't remember what movie or show it was but I think it was Braveheart that was the first to show that most soldiers died not from actual stabbing but the crush and trampling created by the scrum of battle.

Greyfox

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120112489#Comment_120112489

I think your thinking of that amazing battle in S6 of GOThrones. The battle scenes are the best thing about Braveheart, they look so raw, intense and realistic, so much fun to watch the carnage.

breezy1985

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120112807#Comment_120112807

Na this was definitely before GoT I just can't remember when. GoT took it to another kinda silly level.

Tony EH

Without a doubt, most injury in battle during those times were results of blunt force trauma and not laceration. Even sword fighting was aimed more at bashing your opponent rather than cutting him.

But you had to get in close. Against pike men, you had little hope.

Over all, though, it was the use of the long bow that gave the English the edge over their enemies, which I thought the movie handled well.

breezy1985

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120112850#Comment_120112850

Except it added the English shoot their own to add to their evvvvvviiiillllness.

But overall it did get their archer and cavalry advantage right.

Tony EH

Of course it did. The English are the "baddies". They're going to do bad things. Just the same as nearly every other baddie does in Hollywood movies.

silliussoddius

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120112896#Comment_120112896

And of course the Irish turned agin the English.

bassy

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NBE-uBgtINg

ancapailldorcha

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120112166#Comment_120112166

Apparently, a Scottish man asked why the movie battle wasn't fought on the bridge. He was told that it was in the way to which he responded that that was the point.

Anyway, it's a bit tragic that we never get to see full on historical battles in films any more. It makes sense in that they'd be horrendously expensive but it's still a shame. Braveheart largely got that right along with the squalor of medieval Britain.

bodhrandude

Speaking of which, Braveheart starting now on RTE2.

Mad_maxx

Gladiator is miles better

Galwayguy35

I like both of them, the battle scenes in Braveheart are probably a bit more like it really was when men with swords and spears clashed.

My personal favourite is Last of the Mochicans, especially the scene near the end when Magua meets his maker.