Essay/Term paper: Braveheart

Essay, term paper, research paper:  Movie Reviews

Braveheart

Braveheart is a realistic portrayal of the power

struggle between England and Scotland. The film starts by

showing William Wallace as a boy, losing his father to

Edward the Longshanks, King of England. William Wallace

leaves Scotland with his uncle to live with him. Years

elapse and William Wallace returns to Scotland, the place of

his birth, to take over his family"s farm. Wallace finds his

childhood love, Marin, and marries her secretly. When one of

the feudal lords kills Marin for striking a guard, Wallace

then begins a revolt against the English.

Wallace"s army of Scots march against the English

armies time and again. Until William Wallace is captured by

Robert the Bruce"s fathers plan and is sent to London before

King Edward the Longshanks. Wallace faces trial for high

treason from which he is found guilty. Wallace is then given

the choice of confessing or being purified. To show his

patriotism to Scotland Wallace chooses not to confess.

Therefore Wallace experiences a slow, painful death as his

last word "Freedom" still rings in the ears of the audience,

as they cut his head off. The last scene in Braveheart is

the battle between the English and Scottish armies where the

Scots win their freedom.

The theme for Braveheart is betrayal. It is shows all

through the movie. The Princess Isabelle betrays her husband

and country of marriage by helping and falling in love with

William Wallace. Whereas it is the same when Robert the

Bruce betrays William Wallace by giving his word to unite

their clans against the English then turns to Edward the

Longshanks for a title, land and more money. A final act of

betrayal is that of father against son. The act is Robert

the Bruce"s own father plans against this son and plays a

part n getting William Wallace captured for the King.

Two of the most interesting characters to analyze is

Edward the Longshanks and the Princess of Wales. Edward the

Longshanks seems to have no weakness. Though through the

movie, in my opinion, I think he has one and that is

underestimating William Wallace and Scotland. It can also be

said that his strength lays in his ruthlessness. No matter

what the obstacle Edward was able to surmount it though

sheer coldness of character. Edward the Longshanks

relationship toward his son is probably the only thing even

comparably compassionate about his persona. Whereas for

instance if anyone else had been the fool his son is they

would have met death.

The Princess of Wales has a turning point in Braveheart. It

is when she meets William Wallace for the first time.