Braveheart: How Historically Accurate is it? | Deep Dives

Medieval historian and co-host of the 'Gone Medieval' podcast, Matt Lewis, deep dives into the historical accuracy of the highly controversial movie 'Braveheart'.

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00:00 Intro
00:30 William Wallace Childhood
08:00 Meeting Longshanks (Edward I)
10:19 Wallace’s wife
12:25 Wallace’s first assault on English
14:13 Band of Rebels
16:30 The Bruce family
18:05 Longshanks reaction
19:51 The Battle of Stirling Bridge
27:24 Wallace is Knighted
34:50 Wallace’s capture
35:26 William Wallace's Execution
40:50 A Historian’s Summary of Braveheart

#medievalhistory #braveheart #filmreview

[MrTorgueHighFiveFlexington]

I was in school when this film came out and remember my history teacher brought in the video and he would pause every time something inaccurate happened. It took us all week to watch

[jonnybb]

The lack of Stirling bridge at the battle of Stirling bridge really still cracks me up.

[laneoswego]

Matt is being extremely kind to the people that made this movie, the movie is entertainment not historical and again Matt has pointed this out with style and class! Great job on this!

[Liftinglinguist]

I love seeing a historian commenting on the lack of historical accuracy, but without being offended, and still seeing some value in it.

[martin]

"Who is this person who speaks to me as though I needed his advice?" Best line of the movie, imho. McGoohan's delivery is deliciously snide and seething with contempt.

[Vollce]

I love how beautifully green and clean the ground is after the battles.

[DanieldeKock-pd]

What about the fact that William Wallace wasn't Braveheart? Robert the Bruce was.
No one was called Braveheart during their lifetimes, but on his death bed decades later Robert the Bruce expressed that his only regret after uniting Scotland and becoming King was that he'd never gone on Crusade. After his death one of his closest friends, Sir James Douglas, had his heart removed and placed in a small silver casket, which he hung around his neck and went on Crusade with in Moorish Spain. He got cut off and surrounded and survivors claimed his last act was to throw the casket at an enemy, with claims that he shouted something like 'Onward Braveheart, and Douglas will follow or die.' Very likely made up, but people loved the tale and Robert the Bruce became known as Braveheart.

[hankhooper]

"Historians from England will say I am a liar."

Definitely got that bit right. 😂

[kurtb]

As a bagpiper myself, I had the opportunity to chat with Eric Riegler, who provided the ''bagpipe'' music for the movie. He never used any Highland bagpipes. He said he wanted to, but it was Gibson's wish that he play the Uilleann pipes. Uilleann pipes are a type bagpipe, but are played differently.

[Crosswalker.]

Braveheart may be full of inaccuracies but man, what a great movie it is ☺️ still one of my all time favorites!

[jesspeaceful]

Would love to see an equivalent of this for The Patriot...or should I say, Braveheart Part II: Revolutionary War Crimes Boogaloo.

[SchmokinJoe]

27:07 I read that they were going to use a bridge but decided against it for several reasons (Logistically it would've been difficult to shoot, they wouldn't have been able to do their epic charge scene, attacking the English as they crossed the bridge is seen as a dishonorable act, etc).

There's a story that during filming someone asked where the bridge was and Gibson said _“it got in the way”_ . They replied _”Aye, the English found it did as well”_ .

[JohnGenericName]

Funny part in the opening of this movie: King Alexander III didnt die in 1280, he died in 1286. The narration starts being inaccurate like 3 sentences in.

[MR-yxhj]

I’m a huge history buff, and I know this film is historically inaccurate. However, say what you will about its inaccuracies, but as a film it brought back the “cast of thousands” that was lacking in Hollywood. If it weren’t for BRAVEHEART, I don’t think we would have received films like GLADIATOR, SAVING PRIVATE RYAN, 300, and even the LORD OF THE RINGS trilogy. Plus, the score is fantastic. I love this movie as a film.

[airsir]

A very refreshing, patient and informative take on Braveheart by Matt Lewis. I like that he acknowledges it's inaccuracies, the real historical facts the films has altered or outright ommitted but also gives credit where credit is due. And he does all that in a very non pretentious manner.

[kevinfoster]

Irony of not having the bridge in the movie at the Battle of Stirling bridge is the bridge was a major strategic advantage for the Scotts it definitely help them win the battle.

[puppyenemy]

Now having analysed Braveheart, I would love for him to do a similar break down of Outlaw King if he haven't already! :)

[KE]

Being Welsh I think it’s high time we had an Owain Glyndwr film

[eccehobo]

I've read that Highlander was actually more historically accurate than Braveheart. I would like to see a historian breakdown of Highlander.

[TraderRobin]

Damn, that was excellent!!

To this day, the Braveheart soundtrack STILL makes me tear right up! It just brings out such strong emotions! 😭😭😭