Braveheart (1995) Meaning And Ending Explanation

The movie Braveheart is an excellent example of the Scottish independence movement and its depiction in the film. As mentioned earlier, the film is based on William Wallace, who led the Scottish army against England and was betrayed and killed by Edward I at Stirling Bridge.

According to historians, he probably died on the battlefield or later that day when a bolt was shot into his heart during his execution. The film shows how difficult it is for one man to change a nation’s history. In this article, we will explain the meaning and end of Braveheart.

All About Of Braveheart (1995)

The Meaning of Braveheart

Following the death of Alexander III of Scotland, who left no successor to the throne, King Edward “Longshanks” invaded and conquered Scotland in 1280. Young William Wallace sees Longshanks’ deceit, escapes the murders of his father and brother, and is brought abroad by his paternal Uncle Argyle on a journey around Europe, where he is educated.

Longshanks later bestows land and privileges to his noblemen in Scotland, including Prima Nocte. Meanwhile, now an adult, Wallace travels to Scotland and falls in love with his boyhood buddy Murron MacClannough, whom he married secretly.

Wallace saves Murron from being raped by English troops, but Murron is arrested and publicly killed when she fights off their second attempt. In retaliation, Wallace orders the massacre of the English garrison in his hometown and the return of the British force at Lanark to England.

Longshanks instructs his son, Prince Edward, to do whatever measures necessary to thwart Wallace. Wallace revolts against the English, and as word of his exploits spreads, hundreds more Scots from neighboring clans join him.

The meaning of Braveheart is that in spite of all the obstacles, Wallace eventually leads Scotland to independence from England. He sacrifices his own life for his country and inspires others to do the same. The end of Braveheart demonstrates how hard it can be for one person to change the course of history, but with enough determination and bravery, anything is possible.

The Historical Context of Braveheart

Braveheart, according to Elizabeth Ewan, “nearly completely compromises historical truth for dramatic adventure.”

The phrase “Braveheart” refers to Robert the Bruce’s in Scottish history, and attribution by William Edmondstoune Aytoun to Sir James the Good Douglas in his poem Heart of Bruce: “Pass thee first, thou dauntless heart, As thou wert wont of yore!”, prior to Douglas’ death at the Battle of Teba in Andalusia. It’s been called one of the most historically incorrect contemporary flicks.

Sharon Krossa pointed out that the film has various historical mistakes, starting with Wallace and his soldiers wearing a belted plaid. “No Scots wore belted plaids (many alone kilts of any type) during the time.” Furthermore, when Highlanders did start wearing belted plaid, it was not “in the fairly strange form represented in the film.”

The belted plaid (feileadh mór léine) did not appear until the sixteenth century. Wallace’s “farcical portrayal as a wild and hairy highlander painted with woad (1,000 years too late) galloping amok in a tartan kilt (500 years too early”) has been alluded to by Peter Traquair. According to Irish historian Seán Duffy, “the battle of Stirling Bridge might have used a bridge.”

Scottish Independence Movement in Braveheart

Braveheart portrays the Scottish independence movement in a highly fictionalized manner. The film depicts Wallace as a heroic freedom fighter who rallies Scots to fight against the English and ultimately achieves victory. In reality, Wallace played no role in Scotland’s independence struggle—he was captured and executed by the English authorities after leading an unsuccessful uprising against them.

The Ending of Braveheart

Isabella falls in love with Wallace after meeting him in person. Warned by Isabella of an impending invasion, Wallace implores the Scottish aristocracy to take urgent action to fight the menace and reclaim the nation. Longshanks leads the English army against the Scots at Falkirk, where noblemen Lochlan and Mornay betray Wallace after being bought by Longshanks, forcing the Scots to lose the fight.

As Wallace rides on horseback for the retreating Longshanks, he is caught by one of the king’s lancers, who reveals to be Robert the Bruce but overcome with sorrow, Bruce takes Wallace to safety before the English arrest him. Wallace assassinates Lochlan and Mornay for their treason. He goes on to conduct a seven-year guerilla battle against the English, aided by Isabella, with whom he finally has an affair.

Robert arranges a meeting with Wallace in Edinburgh, but his father has plotted with other lords to capture and bring Wallace to the English. Robert disowns his father after learning of his deceit. Isabella exacts vengeance on Longshanks, who is now terminally sick, by warning him that his lineage would be obliterated upon his death since she is now pregnant with Wallace’s kid.

Wallace is taken before an English justice in London, charged with high treason, and sentenced to public torture and execution. Wallace refuses to surrender to the king even as he is being hung, drawn, and quartered.

As the viewing throng, impressed by the Scotsman’s bravery, screams for compassion, the magistrate gives him one more opportunity, asking him merely to speak the word “Mercy,” and he would be allowed a fast death.

Wallace instead yells, “Freedom!” and the court sentences him to death. Wallace gets a glimpse of Murron amid the throng, smiling at him just before he is beheaded.

In 1314, Robert, now King of Scotland, led a Scottish army in front of a ceremonial line of English warriors on the fields of Bannockburn, where he would officially accept English dominion. As he prepares to gallop toward the English, he comes to a halt and invokes Wallace’s memory, begging his troops to fight him as they fought Wallace. The Scots are later released when Robert leads his army into battle against the befuddled English.

Ending Explanation of Braveheart Movie

Braveheart gives a very dramatic account of the events leading up to Wallace’s death. Robert had arranged a meeting with Wallace in Edinburgh, but his father had plotted with other lords to capture and bring Wallace to the English. Upon learning of his father’s deceit, Robert disowns him and leaves for Scotland.

Isabella exacts vengeance on Longshanks by warning him that his lineage would be obliterated upon his death since she is now pregnant with Wallace’s kid. The movie ends by showing footage from Bannockburn where Scottish troops are fighting against English forces under Robert’s leadership, and the lineage of Wallace is still alive. There are some inaccuracies in the movie.

For example, Wallace was not married before he went to fight Longshanks, and his wife did not die in childbirth. Furthermore, Robert had nothing to do with Wallace’s capture or execution; these occurred due to the plotting of other lords. Braveheart is a very well-made movie and provides an interesting look at Wallace’s story despite these inaccuracies.

What Braveheart Teaches us About History

The main message that the Braveheart movie teaches is the power of patriotism. The Scots fight tooth and nail against the English, even though they know that it may be suicidal since they are vastly outnumbered. This demonstrates how important it is for a community to have an unyielding spirit, especially when facing insurmountable odds.

Another takeaway from the Braveheart movie is the power of defiance. Wallace refuses to be cowed by the English monarchy, and he dies a hero rather than succumb to their demands. This demonstrates how people can stand up for what they believe in even in the face of insurmountable odds and refuse to submit to anyone else.

How Braveheart Reflects Our Own Society and Culture

The Braveheart movie reflects our own society and culture in a number of ways.

First, it emphasizes the importance of patriotism. The Scots fight tooth and nail against the English, even though they know that it may be suicidal since they are vastly outnumbered. This demonstrates how important it is for a community to have an unyielding spirit, especially when facing insurmountable odds.

Second, Braveheart highlights the power of defiance. Wallace refuses to be cowed by the English monarchy, and he dies a hero rather than succumb to their demands. This demonstrates how people can stand up for what they believe in even in the face of insurmountable odds and refuse to submit to anyone else.

Finally, the movie reflects our society’s tendency towards violence. The battle scenes are incredibly dramatic and feature a lot of bloodshed. This is an accurate depiction of how wars often play out, and it reminds us that war is never a good thing, no matter who wins or loses.

Movies Effect on Tourism

In 1996, a year after the film’s debut, the annual three-day “Braveheart Conference” at Stirling Castle drew Braveheart aficionados, boosting attendance to 167,000 from 66,000 the previous year.

The following year, a study on tourists to the Stirling region revealed that 55% of them had watched Braveheart. Outside of Scotland, 15% of tourists who viewed Braveheart claimed it affected their choice to visit the nation.

Of all tourists who watched Braveheart, 39% said it affected their choice to visit Stirling in part, and 19% said it was one of the key reasons for their visit. According to a tourism study, the “Braveheart impact” gained Scotland £7 million to £15 million in visitor income in the same year. The report led to numerous national organizations pushing international film projects to take place in Scotland.

The film sparked enormous interest in Scotland and Scottish history throughout the globe and inside Scotland itself. Braveheart author Randall Wallace, Seoras Wallace of the Wallace Clan, Scottish historian David Ross, and Bláithn FitzGerald from Ireland offered presentations on different parts of the film during a Braveheart Convention in Stirling in 1997, attended by 200 participants from across the globe.

Several performers, including James Robinson (Young William), Andrew Weir (Young Hamish), Julie Austin (the young bride), and Mhairi Calvey, attended (Young Murron).

Sequel

On February 9, 2018, it was revealed that a sequel named Robert the Bruce would be released. The film will follow the widow Moira, played by Anna Hutchison, and her family (played by Gabriel Bateman and Talitha Bateman), as they rescue Robert the Bruce, with Angus Macfadyen repeating his role from Braveheart.

Jared Harris, Patrick Fugit, Zach McGowan, Emma Kenney, Diarmaid Murtagh, Seoras Wallace, Shane Coffey, Kevin McNally, and Melora Walters star in the film. Richard Gray directed the picture, which Macfadyen and Eric Belgau wrote. The film was produced by Helmer Gray, Macfadyen, Hutchison, Kim Barnard, Nick Farnell, Cameron Nuggent, and Andrew Curry. Filming began in 2019 and ended with a limited theatrical release that same year.

Final Thoughts

Braveheart is a 1995 American epic war film directed by Mel Gibson and written by Randall Wallace. It is loosely based on the life of William Wallace, a 13th-century Scottish warrior who led the Scots in their fight for independence from England. It stars Gibson as Wallace, with Patrick McGoohan as King Edward I of England, and Liam Neeson as King Robert I of Scotland.

McGoohan was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. The film also stars Gary Oldman as John Comyn, the Earl of Buchan, who was one of Wallace’s most trusted allies; Anthony Hopkins as Sir William Kirkpatrick; and Brian Cox as Archibald Douglas.

FAQs

1.What Is the Message of Braveheart?

Ans: Braveheart is a movie about William Wallace, who led a rebellion against the English in Scotland in the late 12th century. The film tells the story of Wallace’s rise to power and his fight for Scottish independence.

The message of Braveheart is that freedom is worth fighting for. Wallace was willing to risk everything – his life, his family, and even his own sense of self-worth – to stand up against an oppressive government and protect the people he loved.

Braveheart is an inspiring story that speaks to the human spirit and encourages people to fight for what they believe in. It is a reminder that there are always people fighting on the side of justice, no matter how difficult the battle may seem.

2.What Happens to Wallace at the End of Braveheart?

Ans: He was emasculated while dangling and still alive, and his “privy parts” were charred in front of him. The executioner then opened him up, pulled out his entrails, ripped out his heart, and “quartered” his lifeless body, which was then hauled to Newcastle, Berwick, Perth, and Stirling for public display.

3.How Did Mel Gibson Feel About the Ending of Braveheart (1995)?

Ans: There is no one answer to this question as people have different opinions about the ending of Braveheart. Some people feel that it was a well-done and emotional ending, while others believe that it was too sentimental and unrealistic.

4.Did William Wallace Yell Freedom Before He Died?

Ans: Today, William Wallace is a well-known figure, and since his death, he has been in a number of works of fiction. He did not shout FREEDOM as he was being disemboweled, as some have claimed, and the simple beheading depicted in the film Braveheart is a much kinder fate than what the English king enacted on Wallace.

5.Is the Ending of Braveheart True?

Ans: While Braveheart portrays Wallace being captured and handed over to the English at the height of the Scottish revolt, the true Wallace’s story isn’t as dramatic. Wallace’s martial reputation was wrecked after the Battle of Falkirk in 1298, a painful defeat that ended in the deaths of thousands of Scots.