A Medieval Historian Weighs in on How Accurate Mel Gibson’s ‘Braveheart’ Is

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As a cinephile who has spent countless hours immersed in the rich tapestry of historical films, I must say that I find myself both captivated and critical when it comes to the accuracy of these epics. The latest installment of History Hit’s ‘Deep Dive’ series, focusing on Mel Gibson’s Braveheart, is a prime example of this duality. On one hand, the movie offers an engaging portrayal of medieval battles and the stark contrast between the armies of Scotland and England. However, as a connoisseur of historical detail, I can’t help but notice the liberties taken with historical events, clothing, and weaponry that detract from its authenticity.

It’s always amusing to me how history, when retold in the form of an epic film, often serves as a mirror reflecting the sentiments of its creators. In Braveheart’s case, accusations of anti-English sentiment seem rather plausible given the portrayal of the English soldiers.

Looking forward to future Deep Dive videos, I find myself particularly excited about the prospect of examining the historical accuracy of Gladiator II and Netflix’s The Six Triple Eight. The former, while not as historically correct as one might hope, remains a cinematic triumph that demands scrutiny. As for The Six Triple Eight, the inspiring tale of an all-female, black battalion during World War II is sure to provide fascinating insights into a largely untold story.

In jest, I can’t help but wonder if these historical films are more about entertaining us with their dramatic flair than they are about accurately depicting the past. After all, who doesn’t love a good historical melodrama? But for those of us who yearn for a taste of reality amidst the spectacle, the Deep Dive series is a welcome respite.

In a subsequent episode of their ‘Deep Dive’ series on the History Hit YouTube channel, medieval historian Matt Lewis scrutinizes the historical authenticity of the 1995 war film “Braveheart.” The movie depicts a medieval Scottish freedom fighter, portrayed by Mel Gibson, who rises against English oppression. Lewis refers to the movie as:

“…a historical analysis of the film Braveheart in one of our Deep Dive episodes on History Hit’s YouTube channel.

“Maybe one of the most criticized historical epics of all time.”

Apart from his role as a co-host, Lewis is also associated with the “Gone Medieval” podcast, an intriguing exploration delving into various aspects of the Middle Ages, including politics, religion, and everyday life across Europe and beyond. Lewis enriches our understanding by providing depth and perspective to the historical events portrayed in the movie.

In the beginning of the movie, the historian notes that Braveheart works hard to make viewers sympathize with him as the main character. However, he also praises the film’s realistic portrayal of the confusion and turmoil in a medieval battle, as well as highlighting the strategic advantages the English forces had over the Scottish rebels due to their better training and equipment. You can check out the full video discussion below.

The movie sparked a great deal of debate due to its creative liberties when portraying historical incidents. Some critics even suggested that the filmmakers might have held biased views against England, as certain crucial aspects of the conflict and occurrences were distorted or misrepresented.

The movie was criticized by historians for its inaccuracies regarding clothing and weapons, as well as its portrayal of excessive violence from the English soldiers. For instance, Scottish warriors in the 12th century wouldn’t have worn tartan kilts, a style that didn’t become popular until the 17th century. Additionally, viewers found the film’s depiction of the English soldiers committing cruel and brutal acts of violence to be historically inaccurate or entirely fictional.

Other Historical Movies We’d Love to See on the Series

For enthusiasts of grand historical productions, they’re well aware that additional videos are a staple in the series. With the debut of fresh historical dramas, it promises an exciting time to discover what History Hit plans to delve into next. In an upcoming analysis, Gladiator II’s historical authenticity will be scrutinized, having been released in November last year.

This year, historian and podcast host Tristan Hughes from History Hit delved into the original 2000 movie “Gladiator” for analysis. Directed by Ridley Scott and featuring Russell Crowe, this film, much like “Braveheart,” garnered numerous Academy Awards. Given the recent release of its sequel, followers of the Deep Dive series are eagerly anticipating a new video that dissects the movie’s historical inaccuracies. While historically accurate or not, “Gladiator II” has been successful, even if it didn’t match the box office success of its predecessor. The film received an 71% rating from critics and an impressive 82% approval from audiences on Rotten Tomatoes.

A different movie to mention is Netflix’s “The Six Triple Eight“, which debuted on December 6th. This film was directed by Tyler Perry and is inspired by a true event involving an American army battalion, consisting entirely of black women during World War II. The story follows the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion as they are assigned the challenging task of clearing a three-year backlog of mail. In the face of discrimination and war-damaged conditions, these resilient women managed to complete their task ahead of schedule, sorting through more than 17 million pieces of mail.

The movie is earning plenty of excitement and accolades due to its powerful message and meticulous craftsmanship. The actors spoke about the challenging process of researching the untold tale of the actual Battalion, gathering historically precise details. A more in-depth video on this subject would be captivating.

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2025-01-01 18:31