Greetings from Scotland. Scottish history is complex. Wallace and Bruce are both considered heroes. Scotland has never had more than 6 million people. Against all the odds we are still here and still Scottish.
Greetings from across the pond. So it has always been my understanding that while all these people did indeed exist, how things played out in this movie is wildly inaccurate. True? I have understood that in history, Bruce was more in the role that Wallace is portrayed in the movie?
In this movie it's pretty clear that it's not Robert the Bruce who set up William Wallace to be captured and executed, but instead his father is who did it.
True, but the Bruce still comes off as too weak a character in this movie. Wallace kept saying he saw strength in him. I didn't see much of it. I saw him get treated like a doormat by his father.
@@kwebb121765 i think you need to read more into the Bruce dynasty history. They allied themselves to Longshanks and were for a time hiding in Carlisle under his protection.
@@sparksdrinker5650 interestingly, there was for a time some belief in historical circles that Bruce did actually fight for Longshanks at the battle of Falkirk. Following the battle, many Scottish nobles had land seized to be distributed amongst those loyal to Longshanks. Bruce's lands were exempted from this. He was almost certainly at times allied with Longshanks for periods.
That movie is so far from reality it's ridiculous. Fine entertainment if you can overlook all the horrible lies and still keep real history true in your mind.
Hi from Scotland. Wallace and Bruce never met. Bruce didn’t betray Wallace. As said below, in Scotland Wallace and Bruce are both still considered heroes.
@@johntracey4604 the princess was a child in France whilst this was happening and the ending where he screamed freedom was physically impossible after what he had been through.
why do people insist on this nonsense that they never met? Look at it logically, the Bruce dynasty were one of the two dominant claimants of the vacant Scottish throne. Robert the Bruce was at the onset of the war the Earl of Carrick. Carrick is just 30 miles from Elderslie, the generally recognised (though disputed) hometown of William Wallace. There is an age difference between them of just 4 years. When William Wallace resigned as Guardian of Scotland, he was replaced jointly by Robert the Bruce and John Comwyn. So they were clearly in the same circles, and given William Wallace's reverence amongst the Scots following the battle of Stirling bridge it's very very unlikely that Robert the Bruce, a prominent claimant to the Scottish throne, wouldn't have tried to court favour with Sir William. There is also plenty of history showing that the Bruce dynasty allied themselves to Longshanks in order to protect their own interests, namely their claim on the throne. The first major attack during the war was actually upon the Bruce dynasty who were taking shelter, under the protection of Longshanks, at Carlisle. This element is just done more dramatically in the movie.
@@paulfeistyou're really going to hold a grudge against a dead person for over 700+ years just because you're a "descendent" of that man. Literally do you know how many generations that is approximately on average after a little over 700 years? Roughly 28 generations would have gone by (25 great-grandparents) and literally 134,217,728 ancestors just for you alone. I most certainly doubt your Sir Alexander "Alastair" Penrose Gordon-Cumming of Altyre, or even a direct relative of him. Do you think all those people alone and others with from the same clan and their ancestors feel the same? Do you actually know the truth, do you, really, honestly? "On 10 February 1306 Robert the Bruce participated in the killing of John Comyn before the high altar of the Greyfriars Church in Dumfries. LEGEND, possibly APOCRYPHAL, says Robert the Bruce called Comyn to a meeting. After Sir Richard Edgar encouraged Robert to slay the Red Comyn, Robert stabbed him and rushed out to tell Roger de Kirkpatrick. Kirkpatrick went in to finish the job uttering: "You doubt! I mak siccar!" ("I make sure!") while Sir Robert Fleming decapitated Comyn, presenting the head to Robert, stating: "Let the deed shaw" ("Let the deed show"). Apart from these BARE facts, NOTHING CERTAIN can be gathered from CONTEMPORARY accounts. While later Scottish sources all try to justify the crime by amplifying earlier accusations of malevolence and treachery against Comyn, the ENGLISH sources PORTRAY Robert as a VILLAIN who lured Comyn into a church - taken as a guarantee of safety - to commit premeditated murder. Some sources state that Bruce and Comyn had previously signed a pact, whereby one would take the crown in return for the lands of the other. As they stood before the high altar, Bruce accused Comyn of having betrayed him to the English and struck Comyn with a dagger. It is UNKNOWN if this account is true."
I am a brazilian and I also know that. Plus William Wallace was NOT the one called Braveheart He was not a highlander He was not a peasant He never had an affair with the french Princess, because she was 8 years old when William Wallace died and still living in France. William Wallace never used WOAD paint in his face, as the Picts tribe that used it lived 1000 years before him William Wallace never were kilts, because kilts were invented 300 years after William Wallace died. AND the Battle of Sterling Bridge featured a bridge in real life.
My family was Scottish for hundreds of years. Lowland Scots. At one point, our clan was said to be able to field 1,000 men and horses. The English assassinated four of my ancestors. Eventually, we were excommunicated from the Church and forced to leave Scotland. We went to Ireland. We were there long enough for the Irish to say, "The boats to America are that way," and so we settled in Virginia. Got revenge against the English during the Revolution, and then followed the frontier until Texas.
Jax through the whole movie: "Kill him! Stab him! Sorry if my bloodlust is too much for you guys." Jax at the end of the movie: "Why are the people cheering for this? It's crazy how bloodthirsty people can be." lmao
"The horses did not want to go to war. They were just doing what they're told." Indeed. Just like most of the poor souls on the frontlines of every war, ever.
in real life Robert the Bruce never betrayed Wallace, i love this movies but i hate that twist because it soils the name of a good loyal man in real life
in real life it was Robert the Bruce who was called Braveheart, and after his death. "soils the name of a good loyal man in real life" Well, in real life, Robert The Bruce entered a church, a holy ground, to negotiate a settlement with another pretender to the Scottish crown, and only one came out alive.
Most of us like the Robert-the-Bruce character because of his turmoil. He had to overcome his fear and his father to become the leader he became. It's easy to like Wallace because he was always good and on the right side of things. Sometimes, it's more rewarding to see someone on the dark side make the long hard journey to the light. It's why we love romance movies and romantic comedies. Sure...we like the meet-cute instant romance ones. But we also love the odd-couple, nothing-in-common ones where they are at odds at the beginning but slowly fall for each other. We love the arc! 😊
That guy (Bruce) you were hating on at the end is widely considered one of the greatest heroes in Scottish history. Wallace was the great martyr, and Bruce was the one who picked up and led the cause after Wallace's death, and it was Bruce who led Scotland to victory and freedom.
@@macman975 Do your research before you blindly comment on something. This was not pure fiction The history of Scotland is online. I did factcheck the historical accuracy of the movie it was a work of fiction loosely based on real events and real people. There were parts of the movie that were historically accurate. There was a real Robert the Bruce that did become king of Scotland. There was a real William Wallace that Was drawn and quartered by King Edward I the longshanks.
@@FAFO-2025 My last name is McIlroy. I know all about Scottish and Irish History. I know that the names are real but just about everything else is made up.
If you ever get a chance I highly recommend watching "Outlaw king" it's basically a sequel to this but it's way more accurate to the real history and the setting and costume designs are authentic to the time period.
As others have said, Robert the Bruce was not disloyal to Wallace. He led most of the battles against the English, and he outfought them brilliantly, despite not having mass cavalry and armour.
In 1327 Queen Isabella, with the connivance of her lover Roger Mortimer, had her husband Edward II deposed and murdered. When her son Edward III came of age he had Mortimer executed and his mother imprisoned.
Isabella also claimed, with justification, that Edward II was King of France as well after both of her older brothers quickly died after they got the crown. And this began the Hundred Years War.
FUN FACT: Scottish actor Callum Fairweather has Wallace's sword with the tartan sash flowing on it sticking out of the ground tattoo'ed on his forearm alongside the pressed thistle flower also tattooed on his arm.
Of course Robert’s betrayal hurt William more than anything that happened in the battle. Betrayal always hurts more because it only comes from those you trust.
“It’s not that I’m a fan of people dying, but the horses didn’t want to go to war.” I promise you, all those commoners being forced by nobles to be cannon fodder didn’t want to go to war either.
@@genghisgalahad8465 So Commoners have the agency to choose to die in a war, or be killed for refusing to fight, and that's okay because they can choose, unlike horses? Aren't horses that refuse to be broken put down? So they have as much agency as the Commoners.
i don't think the Scottish viewers will tolerate any ROBERT THE BRUCE hate 😂😂..... as far as I'm aware (I'm Aussie) he's quiet literally one of Scotland's most loved and honoured historical figures... probably on the same level as MLK but perhaps even more loved nationally! I'm pretty sure this movie, while magnificent, overplayed Wallace's contribution and severely underplayed Robert The Bruce's!... either way as a 42 year old man i tear up every time i watch it!
That's a pretty well described problem this movie has, there was also an actual Scottish knight who behaved more like Wallace in this movie than Wallace did irl, there's evidence to suggest Wallace fought on behalf of the English during the Welsh rebellion a few years prior
Angus McFayden who played Robert the Bruce made a sequel to Braveheart with his own money. It’s more about Bruce’s life after Braveheart. Many people don’t know of this signal.
@@faisalmemon285 I guess Angus McFadyen thought Mel Gibson did Robert the Bruce dirty for no reason (the -history- script is written by those who -hang heroes- have descendants in Hollywood -- Randall Wallace I'm looking at you)
@@scipioafricanus5871 I don’t think so. Gibson makes Bruce redeem himself by the end of the movie. I don’t think Angus McFayden thought that Gibson ruined his character.
this is an awesome movie but one of the most historically innacurate movies ever William Wallace was NOT the one called Braveheart He was not a highlander He was not a peasant He never had an affair with the french Princess, because she was 8 years old when William Wallace died and still living in France. William Wallace never used WOAD paint in his face, as the Picts tribe that used it lived 1000 years before him William Wallace never were kilts, because kilts were invented 300 years after William Wallace died.
History is written by the victors. I learned that lesson before I even made it to high school. Knowing that got me into a LOT of trouble in high school.
@IggyStardust1967 That quote doesn't really mean anything. Victor's of what, when or where? There are Soviet histories of the cold war and German histories of WW2... you just didn't hear them in your education system in your time. History is taught by the ideology in charge of any given place and time but most perspectives can be found if you look for them. Not shitting on your point, just don't like that quote.
@@muximus2771 Thats because you don't understand the quote. War is brutal. The losers throughout history tended to die. All of them. So there is nobody LEFT to tell their side of the story. So the victors would tell it. Their version. The ONLY version. Because everyone else is dead. The idea of war not being a genocide is a modern one. For most of our history, it was a genocide. So it's very accurate. History is written by the victors.
There are sheep in *_HIGHLANDER_* (1986) & *_ROB ROY_* (1995) 🐑 🏴 7:59 - Now you know what Tony Stark meant in *_Avengers: Age Of Ultron_* when he said the first thing he'd do upon lifting Thor's hammer would be to reinstitute _prima nocta_ 😮🤢
A trace of my family’s history revealed an ancestor came to Sussex County, New Jersey, from Scotland in 1753! There is as strong presence of Scottish and some Irish throughout the subsequent years. I’m proud of my heritage 🏴🇺🇸
I've always enjoyed your reactions, Jax, but I've never encountered anyone so contemptuously dismissive of Robert the Bruce's "redemption arc." You said "he was the reason Wallace was tortured and killed." Not true -- there was no connection between his initial betrayal and Wallace's later capture. Did he betray him earlier ? Yes, but he felt shame over his mistake, and more to the point, he resolved to correct it. What more can a man do than strive sincerely to right his wrongs ? When Wallace was captured, Robert the Bruce was just as betrayed as he was.
Exactly! Esp when he realized it was his father who went behind his back to set Wallace up. Wallace's men wouldn't have fought for him if they didn't believe in him
Feeling shame for his betrayal does nothing to absolve him of anything... There are some wrongs that can't be righted! Just seems to me that you're the contemptuous one! Lets put this "redemption arc." thing to the test, cheat on your wife with her best friend or sister, kill a family in a DUI crash, commit espionage and betray your country. No matter how much shame is felt or how sincerely it's tried to be corrected, betrayal is betrayal...
@@robturney6325there are also things called "opinions" and what you stated was simply your own "opinion" on that specific subject when comparing it to multiple other subjects that others could have other opinions of their own. Any person has a right do decide if they wish to forgive or not to forgive as well as to absolve or not to absolve another person by their own choice. It is everyone's own personality, feelings, thoughts, etc, etc, etc that make us unique and different. This is why we have our own "opinions" and there are reason in some cases where there is no right or wrong, no correct answer.
"Why are people cheering?" There are people today in 'civilized' countries that behave no differently. Everyone can see it, because they say it with their own mouths... on social medias.
Since you mentioned Game of Thrones, Campbell, Hamish's father, was also Sir Jorah Mormont, Commander of the Night's Watch. And the horse that Wallace rode and jumped from the tower was fake.
Jax: “I’m not sure what it’s about.” Me: “I love when reactors go in as blind as possible.” 🙂 Jax: **Immediately reads a synopsis telling her what it’s about** Me: 🤦♂️
@@Kuhlio1313 Yes, it is. When Robert Bruce lay on his deathbed in 1329, he could look back on an eventful life and great achievements.But a broken promise gnawed at him: He had sworn to go on crusade to fight for God's cause - he didn't make it. Before the disease took his life, however, Robert Bruce asked his knights to take his heart into the holy war. According to legend, Sir James Douglas charged a superior enemy force and threw a casket containing king Robert Bruce's heart in the direction of the enemy while shouting:”Onwards Braveheart, Douglas shall follow thee or die!” Sure, it's based on a legend, but much of both Wallace's and Bruce's lives are built on legends. So at least according to them, Bruce was the one called "Braveheart".
Jax, I had to think for a moment, 😀 but you look a lot like Erin Grey, one of the actors from the late 70's series Buck Rogers, who I watched as a teenager. Anyway Braveheart is such a great movie. One of those you can watch every some years over again. Never gets dull.
Remember that feeling "Eww!" When you heard the King say, "Prima Nocte." Go back and watch Avengers: Age of Ultron. When Tony is trying to lift Thor's hammer Mjolnir, he says that "If I lift it, I'm restoring Prima Nocte." (I paraphrased)
Between the grudge holding and the "ooo maybe she's not really pregnant and she's just saying it", business, this was the most female reaction to this movie I've ever seen. 😂
Not Historicly correct wallace and the Bruce probably never even met , but still an amazing film highlighting the Scots fight to be free of English rule . Some of us are still fighting that fight today just not with swords
"was [prima nocta] real?" This is a matter of debate - some historians think it definitely was, and others believe it's a myth. Most of the documents and novels that reference it (including potentially one Shakespeare reference) are from hundreds of years later. But there are also many accounts from people travelling through Europe claiming it happened, especially in Scotland. Encyclopædia Britannica and other sources used to state that it definitely happened, but changed their stances to "No, it's probably a myth" a few decades ago. At the same time, other scholars insist it was real and they can prove it based on historical evidence. So...we don't know.
Hey Jax!!! Great reaction...you are the first reactor to see this that laughs like I do at Stephen's line, "The Almighty says He can get me out of this, but He's pretty sure, you're f---ked!" My favorite line in the whole movie! Mel Gibson won two "Golden Boys" at the Oscars...Best Director and Best Picture. The film also won Best Cinematography, Best Make-Up, and Best Sound Effects Editing...and was nominated for Screenplay, Costumes, Score, Sound, and Film Editing. Stephen is my favorite character, too. The actor who played him was also in Harry Potter. David O'Hara played Albert Runcorn in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2...the Ministry official Harry used hair from in the polyjuice potion when they infiltrated the Ministry, so...in a way...he also played Harry Potter! I see him pop up in action films as a bad guy, but he'll always be Stephen the Irishman to me! Sophie Marceau (Isabelle, the Princess of Wales) is an amazing French actress. She has not done many English language films, but she did play one of my favorite Bond Girls in The World Is Not Enough, opposite Pierce Brosnan as James Bond. Patrick McGoohan (Edward the Longshanks) is best known for his role in the 1960s surreal spy series The Prisoner. He has done many films and TV series, but somehow...it always comes back to The Prisoner. He was amazing in this film, and I liked him a lot in a comic book movie called The Phantom with Billy Zane (Cal in Titanic). In That film he plays the ghost of Billy Zane's father, who was The Phantom before Zane. It's a fun, kinda campy film from the 1990s. I am surprised you didn't call out Hamish's father, played by James Cosmo...Lord Commander Jeor Mormont of the Night's Watch on Game of Thrones! If you did...it was in the Patreon version. Besides Mormont, I think this is Cosmo's best role ever. His death scene never fails to make me cry.
Another fine film depicting 18th century Scotland is "Rob Roy" starring Liam Neeson, Jessica Lange and John Hurt. In 1713 Scotland, Rob Roy MacGregor is wronged by a nobleman and his nephew, becomes an outlaw in search of revenge while fleeing the Redcoats, and faces charges of being a Jacobite.
It’s a guilty pleasure of a movie,but a lot of the history is inaccurate . The Battle of Sterling Bridge doesn’t have a bridge in this movie. Plus,Longshanks didn’t die at the castle . He died weeks later from disease in a camp near a battle his son was fighting. Bruce never betrayed Wallace either . But it’s still a fun movie.
Your rage is so understandable. Betrail is the worst feeling for a leader. I worked as a humanitarian relief during the war in Africa and saw horrible things but I still have problem watching this movie because Mel Gibson did such a great job with this story and you feel the roller coaster of emotions. Great movie, great acting. Standing for what you believe is the lesson. Love watching you reacting, love your rage and comments. Bless you.
"Suck it, England!" 🤣🤣Too funny. Such a charming and rewarding reaction from you as always, tho it's been too long since I've seen one of yours. Braveheart is SUCH the epic film!
Most of the land reclaimed was the Scottish nobility reclaimed land from the Scotts, crofter's, do the research and don't take your history from an Australian
@@reactswithjax Some disillusioning real history: 1. The Princess of Wales was 6 when Wallace died. 2. Wallace once skinned a friar and made a belt out of him. 3. The Battle of Falkirk was conducted across a bridged river, and Wallace defied chivalry by not letting the British cross first before engaging. 4. Wallace WAS seven feet tall, or close to it. 5. His father was not a landed commoner. They were minor nobility.
Historically speaking, Robert never betrayed Wallace. As far as the movie goes, there are obvious liberties taken. I don't blame Robert for Wallace's capture in the film, even if he was a bit naive.
@@df6957 I tried to watch that bro. Problem was I couldnt get past the fact that is was Chris Pine...lol Everytime I saw him all I could see was Captain Kirk and it felt weird🤣
The famous Snow White death scene with her hand dropping the poison apple... Mel Gibson also used the same death symbolism when William was beheaded, showing his hand dropping the handkerchief (their marriage vow)... memorable death symbolism... Bravo!
You need to watch Outlaw/King with Chris Pine as Robert The Bruce. It’s a more accurate biopic of King Robert and how he actually led a rebellion against the English. There’s also another movie called Robert The Bruce with Angus MacFadyan back to play him which is a more personal, low budget story about him being cared for by a mother and her children and being encouraged to keep fighting. I love Braveheart, but it’s done more like a romantic fantasy than actual historical film. William Wallace and Robert The Bruce actually did fight the English for many years before Wallace was executed.
38:19 "Those men, they fought for Wallace. And he _fights_ for somethin' that I've _never_ had." "Honor? Integrity? Loyalty?" Scottish independence. Scottish sovereignty. Scottish national identity and freedom from English rule.
Of course this is a Hollywood movie and full of historical "facts" but they really did Robert the Bruce wrong. He never betrayed William Wallace (they fought as allies) and it was indeed King Robert the Bruce who won Scottish independence despite being outnumbered as much as five to one in the Battle of Bannockburn.
It's rumored that that it was the help of some of the Knights Templars who were fleeing the persecution of the church in France that helped win the battle at Bannockburn that in the battle their was a unit of heavily armored and highly trained Knights with no heraldic arms who helped turn the tide who knows.
This is a weird virtue signaling thing that's become popular over the last decade or so. Reactors try to pretend that a depiction of an animal being hurt is somehow more impactful than the hordes of people suffering and dying in that same film/show. And in that pretense, we're supposed to play along and applaud their compassion for animals... while ignoring their utter disdain for human life.
@@Mr.Ekshin I agree to that partially, yet she also gave a good reason that I can accept - the Horses never had a clue what would happen until they also got stabbed and killed. But ofc at that time no one cared for animals like we do today 😉
@@Mr.Ekshin Caring about animal welfare doesn't change how deeply I care about people. Domesticated animals typically trust humans explicitly and are quite vulnerable. Most people feel a responsibility to treat them with respect. Considering they are innocently unaware that people are about to harm them when they are running into battle, I do think it warrants separate commentary when they get hurt. For you to suggest an honest reaction to an animal being stabbed to death means a reactor has an "utter disdain for human life," seems like a mischaracterization.
Jax, your reaction when Princess Isabella revealed her pregnancy to King Longshanks tells me that you realised exactly what I thought at that moment: that William Wallace had, in a way, won at that point. (Well, if this whole thing was true, that is.) I totally understand your eyerolls at Robert the Bruce since Falkirk. My dad is totally obsessed with this film. Once again, Jax, thank you for this wild ride.
The first battle is supposed to be the battle of Sterling bridge, except there is no bridge in the scene. When asked why did he do battle of stirling bridge without the bridge, Mel Gibson said 'the bridge got in the way of a good battle'. 'Aye, thats what the english found out too' came back the retort.
Also the pike strategy used in that scene was a bastardized version of a brilliant strategy used by the actual Robert the Bruce in the Battle of Loudoun Hill.
Bruce didnt sell out Wallace for the throne. His father or that other noble did. thats why that one noble was like "you must not hurt the bruce." also where his whole speech about hating is father and it will die with him was shown. he wanted the crown but not at that price. thats what i have gleamed from it at least.
25:21 _"'Retreat?' 'Retreat?'_ I was expecting them to _lose_ this battle." There's a lot more to war than the number of _troops_ at your command, Jax.
7:57 If you recall in Avengers: Age of Ultron, Tony Stark jokes about becoming King of Asgard and instituting prima nocta if he can lift Thor's hammer. This is what he was joking about, and it ended up generating a small bit of controversy because they didn't think Tony should've joked about such a cruel and disgusting practice.
Hello! Great seeing some true deep emotion during the tragic death of William’s wife. I saw this movie in the theater when it came out and walked out of the theater when I saw that happened I was so upset. Then walked back in and ultimately loved this film with all my heart. Thanks for the reaction.
There is a little known spin-off/sequel to Braveheart that came out in 2019 called “Robert the Bruce”. The same actor that played him in Braveheart reprises his role as Robert the Bruce.
Need to now watch Outlaw King (2018), 15 minutes in is the aftermath of Wallace’s death, and a more historical accurate film, very similar style of film to Braveheart! If you loved Wallace, Stephen and Hamish in Braveheart, you’ll love Black Douglas in Outlaw King, even crazier than Irish Stephen!
This is my favorite movie of all time. It has so many things wrong with it but the story and everything is just the best. I saw it when it was released and it is still the best.
After they mooned the English, you see one man hit twice with an arrow in two separate scenes. His name was Damien Muldarry. I knew him when I was in the seminary in Ireland. He came to NY a decade ago, his wife and child returned to Ireland, and then he committed suicide. I saw him the year before, I wished I had made plans to hang out. I miss him.
@@Penddraig7You should do the pre-reading. The Kingdom of Scotland was formed when two Celtic tribes, the Picts and Gaels, merged in the Middle Ages, when Braveheart is set, So *all* the Scottish women depicted are Celtic. The Irish and Welsh are also of Celtic origins.
@@MGower4465 that’s not what happened, I think you should take your own advice and do “the pre-reading” because you clearly don’t know Scottish history if that comment is anything to go by
"I wonder what the population of Scotland was at this time" It's impossible for us to know because although England had an established government and bureaucracy and all the paperwork that comes with it, Scotland did not. But we think it was under a million people. It's about 5.5 million today.
I like the version of Bruce depicted in this film. He was a complex character, with fears, full of contradictions, but just as he said, he was never on the wrong side again after his father convinced him of betraying Wallace. I love this movie since I first watched it in 1996. And let's not forget about James Horner's marvelous score! Greetings from Chile :)
You would want loads of sheep in the background of a shot. With so many takes cut together to get the scene correct it would be a nightmare to try and maintain continuity with wandering animals
@Jax, Murron as a little girl didn't just give little William any flower. She gave him a purple thistle flower, the national flower of Scotland. Symbolism in your face but only if you know about it to start with. 😉
Robert the Bruce (born July 11, 1274-died June 7, 1329, Cardross, Dumbartonshire, Scotland) was the king of Scotland (1306-29), who freed Scotland from English rule, winning the decisive Battle of Bannockburn (1314) and ultimately confirming Scottish independence in the Treaty of Northampton (1328)
@@jonnyincognito899 Some versions have it and the scene is on UA-cam, but the prima nocta line definitely wasn’t in the version that was originally released in theaters. IIRC, they replaced it with a lame line like “I’ll be firm but fair” or something along those lines.
Ohhhhh Jax!!! I absolutely adored watching this with you! Your reactions and commentary are the BEST! Gained a new follower and I can’t wait to see your other reaction videos! I’m definitely going to check to see if you reacted to all of the emotional amazing movies on par with Braveheart! You’re awesome!!! 🤩
Greetings from Scotland. Scottish history is complex. Wallace and Bruce are both considered heroes. Scotland has never had more than 6 million people. Against all the odds we are still here and still Scottish.
Greetings from across the pond. So it has always been my understanding that while all these people did indeed exist, how things played out in this movie is wildly inaccurate. True? I have understood that in history, Bruce was more in the role that Wallace is portrayed in the movie?
I remember the IRA propaganda saying similar sentiments
Still crazy, after all these years...
And we would love you to be part of the EU. ^^
Mass immigration will change that.
As an Irishman I can confirm, it is indeed Stevens island 🤣🤣
I love this!!! ❤️ 😂
All hail King Stephen!
Turns out they're both mine, and the first one to spell and say it right I'll add to the will.
Steven > Michael Collins > Miggeldy Higgins
Steven: "I spoke to god today"
William: "what did he say?"
Steven: "He says he can get me out of this, but you - youre fooked!" LOL
In this movie it's pretty clear that it's not Robert the Bruce who set up William Wallace to be captured and executed, but instead his father is who did it.
True, but the Bruce still comes off as too weak a character in this movie. Wallace kept saying he saw strength in him. I didn't see much of it. I saw him get treated like a doormat by his father.
But he did set him up the first time, and tried to kill him himself.
@@kwebb121765 i think you need to read more into the Bruce dynasty history. They allied themselves to Longshanks and were for a time hiding in Carlisle under his protection.
@@sparksdrinker5650 interestingly, there was for a time some belief in historical circles that Bruce did actually fight for Longshanks at the battle of Falkirk. Following the battle, many Scottish nobles had land seized to be distributed amongst those loyal to Longshanks. Bruce's lands were exempted from this. He was almost certainly at times allied with Longshanks for periods.
That movie is so far from reality it's ridiculous. Fine entertainment if you can overlook all the horrible lies and still keep real history true in your mind.
Hi from Scotland. Wallace and Bruce never met. Bruce didn’t betray Wallace. As said below, in Scotland Wallace and Bruce are both still considered heroes.
@@johntracey4604 the princess was a child in France whilst this was happening and the ending where he screamed freedom was physically impossible after what he had been through.
@@daveofyorkshire301 lol they always selectively edit history and leave that out.
why do people insist on this nonsense that they never met?
Look at it logically, the Bruce dynasty were one of the two dominant claimants of the vacant Scottish throne. Robert the Bruce was at the onset of the war the Earl of Carrick. Carrick is just 30 miles from Elderslie, the generally recognised (though disputed) hometown of William Wallace. There is an age difference between them of just 4 years.
When William Wallace resigned as Guardian of Scotland, he was replaced jointly by Robert the Bruce and John Comwyn. So they were clearly in the same circles, and given William Wallace's reverence amongst the Scots following the battle of Stirling bridge it's very very unlikely that Robert the Bruce, a prominent claimant to the Scottish throne, wouldn't have tried to court favour with Sir William.
There is also plenty of history showing that the Bruce dynasty allied themselves to Longshanks in order to protect their own interests, namely their claim on the throne. The first major attack during the war was actually upon the Bruce dynasty who were taking shelter, under the protection of Longshanks, at Carlisle. This element is just done more dramatically in the movie.
@@markw4613 Who knighted Sir William Wallace?
@@daveofyorkshire301 was likely done on authority of the deposed king John Balliol who most nobles in Scotland were still loyal to.
Don't worry Robert , us scots know you for the true hero that you are .
As a descenent of John Comyn, murdered by Robert, I’m more on Jax’s side…
@@paulfeistyou're really going to hold a grudge against a dead person for over 700+ years just because you're a "descendent" of that man. Literally do you know how many generations that is approximately on average after a little over 700 years? Roughly 28 generations would have gone by (25 great-grandparents) and literally 134,217,728 ancestors just for you alone.
I most certainly doubt your Sir Alexander "Alastair" Penrose Gordon-Cumming of Altyre, or even a direct relative of him. Do you think all those people alone and others with from the same clan and their ancestors feel the same? Do you actually know the truth, do you, really, honestly?
"On 10 February 1306 Robert the Bruce participated in the killing of John Comyn before the high altar of the Greyfriars Church in Dumfries. LEGEND, possibly APOCRYPHAL, says Robert the Bruce called Comyn to a meeting. After Sir Richard Edgar encouraged Robert to slay the Red Comyn, Robert stabbed him and rushed out to tell Roger de Kirkpatrick. Kirkpatrick went in to finish the job uttering: "You doubt! I mak siccar!" ("I make sure!") while Sir Robert Fleming decapitated Comyn, presenting the head to Robert, stating: "Let the deed shaw" ("Let the deed show").
Apart from these BARE facts, NOTHING CERTAIN can be gathered from CONTEMPORARY accounts. While later Scottish sources all try to justify the crime by amplifying earlier accusations of malevolence and treachery against Comyn, the ENGLISH sources PORTRAY Robert as a VILLAIN who lured Comyn into a church - taken as a guarantee of safety - to commit premeditated murder.
Some sources state that Bruce and Comyn had previously signed a pact, whereby one would take the crown in return for the lands of the other. As they stood before the high altar, Bruce accused Comyn of having betrayed him to the English and struck Comyn with a dagger. It is UNKNOWN if this account is true."
@@paulfeist Well I'm a descendant of Robert the Bruce and I still think what he did to Comyn was beyond the pale.
I am a brazilian and I also know that.
Plus
William Wallace was NOT the one called Braveheart
He was not a highlander
He was not a peasant
He never had an affair with the french Princess, because she was 8 years old when William Wallace died and still living in France.
William Wallace never used WOAD paint in his face, as the Picts tribe that used it lived 1000 years before him
William Wallace never were kilts, because kilts were invented 300 years after William Wallace died.
AND the Battle of Sterling Bridge featured a bridge in real life.
My family was Scottish for hundreds of years. Lowland Scots. At one point, our clan was said to be able to field 1,000 men and horses. The English assassinated four of my ancestors. Eventually, we were excommunicated from the Church and forced to leave Scotland. We went to Ireland. We were there long enough for the Irish to say, "The boats to America are that way," and so we settled in Virginia. Got revenge against the English during the Revolution, and then followed the frontier until Texas.
Jax through the whole movie: "Kill him! Stab him! Sorry if my bloodlust is too much for you guys."
Jax at the end of the movie: "Why are the people cheering for this? It's crazy how bloodthirsty people can be."
lmao
Hahahah!
😂
Women to her dog : "Look at that, ...the dumb Cowboy is talking to his horse !"
My thoughts exactly, typical hypocrite.
@@cesarmedina7080 that, you are
"The horses did not want to go to war. They were just doing what they're told."
Indeed. Just like most of the poor souls on the frontlines of every war, ever.
Nah. Many soldiers choose to fight, including mercenaries for money or some to defend their land e.g. vietcong, Afghan Mujahadeen, Palestinians etc
One of the best movie speeches. "They may take our lives, but they will never take our freedom!"
in real life Robert the Bruce never betrayed Wallace, i love this movies but i hate that twist because it soils the name of a good loyal man in real life
My friend is a direct descendant of Robert the Bruce and he and his family still carry the Bruce name
in real life it was Robert the Bruce who was called Braveheart, and after his death.
"soils the name of a good loyal man in real life"
Well, in real life, Robert The Bruce entered a church, a holy ground, to negotiate a settlement with another pretender to the Scottish crown, and only one came out alive.
@@jamesrein648 that's awesome
@@rogeriopenna9014 i had never heard that fact. that's interesting
I get it, but he does redeem himself at the end. And the actor's "I want to believe" scene is the best thing in the movie.
Stephen: ‘Stephen’ is my name.
Jax: Nice to meet you, Stefan.
😂
It's funny because she even said it right the first couple times 🤣
@@reactswithjax 😆😆😆
@@reactswithjaxStephen with an accent and flourish coming from Jax is totally acceptable! 🇫🇷
😂
Most of us like the Robert-the-Bruce character because of his turmoil. He had to overcome his fear and his father to become the leader he became. It's easy to like Wallace because he was always good and on the right side of things. Sometimes, it's more rewarding to see someone on the dark side make the long hard journey to the light.
It's why we love romance movies and romantic comedies. Sure...we like the meet-cute instant romance ones. But we also love the odd-couple, nothing-in-common ones where they are at odds at the beginning but slowly fall for each other. We love the arc! 😊
Nice comment
That guy (Bruce) you were hating on at the end is widely considered one of the greatest heroes in Scottish history.
Wallace was the great martyr, and Bruce was the one who picked up and led the cause after Wallace's death, and it was Bruce who led Scotland to victory and freedom.
Freedom? They are still part of the UK, not exactly freedom.
Outlaw King should be next
You're commenting about real life on a work of complete fiction.
@@macman975 Do your research before you blindly comment on something. This was not pure fiction The history of Scotland is online. I did factcheck the historical accuracy of the movie it was a work of fiction loosely based on real events and real people. There were parts of the movie that were historically accurate. There was a real Robert the Bruce that did become king of Scotland. There was a real William Wallace that Was drawn and quartered by King Edward I the longshanks.
@@FAFO-2025 My last name is McIlroy. I know all about Scottish and Irish History. I know that the names are real but just about everything else is made up.
**The main character, as a child, just finds out his father was killed**
Jax: “Oh, look! Sheep! 😊”
🤣
Priorities
Haha! To be fair, I spotted those sheep right before we found out his dad passed. 😂
@reactswithjax Now you gotta react to Up. For reasons!
😂
i'm English and a good chunk of my family are Scottish. Even now we celebrate our Scottish heritage and Im proud to be part Scottish.
If you ever get a chance I highly recommend watching "Outlaw king" it's basically a sequel to this but it's way more accurate to the real history and the setting and costume designs are authentic to the time period.
Although Chris Pines accent is shocking
i don't care if this is historically accurate. it's a movie
As others have said, Robert the Bruce was not disloyal to Wallace. He led most of the battles against the English, and he outfought them brilliantly, despite not having mass cavalry and armour.
Oh man , Sophie Marceau !
In 1327 Queen Isabella, with the connivance of her lover Roger Mortimer, had her husband Edward II deposed and murdered. When her son Edward III came of age he had Mortimer executed and his mother imprisoned.
Isabella also claimed, with justification, that Edward II was King of France as well after both of her older brothers quickly died after they got the crown. And this began the Hundred Years War.
@@jeffreysmith236 A woman started it. A seventeen-year-old girl finished it.
FUN FACT: Scottish actor Callum Fairweather has Wallace's sword with the tartan sash flowing on it sticking out of the ground tattoo'ed on his forearm alongside the pressed thistle flower also tattooed on his arm.
Robert the Bruce was a true hero and an amazing warrior
Of course Robert’s betrayal hurt William more than anything that happened in the battle. Betrayal always hurts more because it only comes from those you trust.
except for the fact that never happened in real history.
I love that movie.
Steven is one of my favorite characters of all time.
"It's never occurred to me to punch my friend in the face."
Every guy like: well.....
I thougt so aswell 😂
Aint this the truth HAHAH. Think I've punched all my friends in the face and got a punch myself.
😂
Oh yeah not a day goes by when I'm not thinking of punching one of my friends in the face🤣
“It’s not that I’m a fan of people dying, but the horses didn’t want to go to war.”
I promise you, all those commoners being forced by nobles to be cannon fodder didn’t want to go to war either.
Yeah, I completely understand that. ❤
They still have human agency, as you can see with the Irish. It's easy to say, but horses don't deserve being killed in the frontlines. 🐎 🐴
@@genghisgalahad8465 So Commoners have the agency to choose to die in a war, or be killed for refusing to fight, and that's okay because they can choose, unlike horses?
Aren't horses that refuse to be broken put down? So they have as much agency as the Commoners.
i don't think the Scottish viewers will tolerate any ROBERT THE BRUCE hate 😂😂..... as far as I'm aware (I'm Aussie) he's quiet literally one of Scotland's most loved and honoured historical figures... probably on the same level as MLK but perhaps even more loved nationally! I'm pretty sure this movie, while magnificent, overplayed Wallace's contribution and severely underplayed Robert The Bruce's!... either way as a 42 year old man i tear up every time i watch it!
That's a pretty well described problem this movie has, there was also an actual Scottish knight who behaved more like Wallace in this movie than Wallace did irl, there's evidence to suggest Wallace fought on behalf of the English during the Welsh rebellion a few years prior
Angus McFayden who played Robert the Bruce made a sequel to Braveheart with his own money. It’s more about Bruce’s life after Braveheart. Many people don’t know of this signal.
@@faisalmemon285 I guess Angus McFadyen thought Mel Gibson did Robert the Bruce dirty for no reason (the -history- script is written by those who -hang heroes- have descendants in Hollywood -- Randall Wallace I'm looking at you)
@@scipioafricanus5871 I don’t think so. Gibson makes Bruce redeem himself by the end of the movie. I don’t think Angus McFayden thought that Gibson ruined his character.
this is an awesome movie but one of the most historically innacurate movies ever
William Wallace was NOT the one called Braveheart
He was not a highlander
He was not a peasant
He never had an affair with the french Princess, because she was 8 years old when William Wallace died and still living in France.
William Wallace never used WOAD paint in his face, as the Picts tribe that used it lived 1000 years before him
William Wallace never were kilts, because kilts were invented 300 years after William Wallace died.
To be fair to the citizens at the end. As far as they know, this is just a man who invaded their country and sacked a few of their cities
History is written by the victors. I learned that lesson before I even made it to high school. Knowing that got me into a LOT of trouble in high school.
That's a good point!
@IggyStardust1967 That quote doesn't really mean anything. Victor's of what, when or where? There are Soviet histories of the cold war and German histories of WW2... you just didn't hear them in your education system in your time. History is taught by the ideology in charge of any given place and time but most perspectives can be found if you look for them. Not shitting on your point, just don't like that quote.
@@muximus2771 Thats because you don't understand the quote.
War is brutal. The losers throughout history tended to die. All of them. So there is nobody LEFT to tell their side of the story.
So the victors would tell it. Their version. The ONLY version. Because everyone else is dead.
The idea of war not being a genocide is a modern one. For most of our history, it was a genocide. So it's very accurate. History is written by the victors.
@@kirby702 Not how war works... But okay.
A lot of people who like Braveheart are also fans of Gladiator. You might wanna try it too.
Both stories took a lot of liberties with history, but they're great entertainment.
There are sheep in *_HIGHLANDER_* (1986) & *_ROB ROY_* (1995)
🐑 🏴
7:59 - Now you know what Tony Stark meant in *_Avengers: Age Of Ultron_* when he said the first thing he'd do upon lifting Thor's hammer would be to reinstitute _prima nocta_ 😮🤢
But not in Silence of the Lambs...
There's also one VERY prominent cow, in "Rob Roy".
There can be only one.
A trace of my family’s history revealed an ancestor came to Sussex County, New Jersey, from Scotland in 1753! There is as strong presence of Scottish and some Irish throughout the subsequent years. I’m proud of my heritage 🏴🇺🇸
I've always enjoyed your reactions, Jax, but I've never encountered anyone so contemptuously dismissive of Robert the Bruce's "redemption arc." You said "he was the reason Wallace was tortured and killed." Not true -- there was no connection between his initial betrayal and Wallace's later capture. Did he betray him earlier ? Yes, but he felt shame over his mistake, and more to the point, he resolved to correct it. What more can a man do than strive sincerely to right his wrongs ? When Wallace was captured, Robert the Bruce was just as betrayed as he was.
There were parts of this reaction that were hard to watch, and not because of the movie. By the end she was so angry, but at the wrong people.
Exactly! Esp when he realized it was his father who went behind his back to set Wallace up. Wallace's men wouldn't have fought for him if they didn't believe in him
Chill, dude
Feeling shame for his betrayal does nothing to absolve him of anything... There are some wrongs that can't be righted! Just seems to me that you're the contemptuous one! Lets put this "redemption arc." thing to the test, cheat on your wife with her best friend or sister, kill a family in a DUI crash, commit espionage and betray your country. No matter how much shame is felt or how sincerely it's tried to be corrected, betrayal is betrayal...
@@robturney6325there are also things called "opinions" and what you stated was simply your own "opinion" on that specific subject when comparing it to multiple other subjects that others could have other opinions of their own.
Any person has a right do decide if they wish to forgive or not to forgive as well as to absolve or not to absolve another person by their own choice. It is everyone's own personality, feelings, thoughts, etc, etc, etc that make us unique and different. This is why we have our own "opinions" and there are reason in some cases where there is no right or wrong, no correct answer.
Scotlands national flower is the Scottish thistle.
"Why are people cheering?"
There are people today in 'civilized' countries that behave no differently. Everyone can see it, because they say it with their own mouths... on social medias.
first thing I thought of...well put.
Social medias? I mean yeah sure, but you can also see it in their literal actions in society.
Your right !! I'm sure that "premanocta" back then , is like, ain't no fun! if the homies can't have none! Nowadays.
Since you mentioned Game of Thrones, Campbell, Hamish's father, was also Sir Jorah Mormont, Commander of the Night's Watch. And the horse that Wallace rode and jumped from the tower was fake.
Jorah was the son, Jeor was the father.
Not the same guy
Jax: “I’m not sure what it’s about.”
Me: “I love when reactors go in as blind as possible.” 🙂
Jax: **Immediately reads a synopsis telling her what it’s about**
Me: 🤦♂️
Jax: Deer are so peaceful.
Me: And delicious!!
Nothing better than a venison stew
@@jamesrein648 Personally i would rather have venison steaks.
@@colinpreston80 yeah venison steak is good too
Venison with berries sauce. *finger licking good* 👍
They ARE delicious!
It's so hilarious that every woman that reacts to this movie is like "awe, poor horsie"...😂 But, most guys be like, that's the victors next meal. LMAO
I'm English and this movie is still in my top 10.
Ironically, it actually was Robert the Bruce who was the real Braveheart, not Wallace.
@@Kuhlio1313 Yes, it is.
When Robert Bruce lay on his deathbed in 1329, he could look back on an eventful life and great achievements.But a broken promise gnawed at him: He had sworn to go on crusade to fight for God's cause - he didn't make it. Before the disease took his life, however, Robert Bruce asked his knights to take his heart into the holy war. According to legend, Sir James Douglas charged a superior enemy force and threw a casket containing king Robert Bruce's heart in the direction of the enemy while shouting:”Onwards Braveheart, Douglas shall follow thee or die!”
Sure, it's based on a legend, but much of both Wallace's and Bruce's lives are built on legends. So at least according to them, Bruce was the one called "Braveheart".
Jax, I had to think for a moment, 😀 but you look a lot like Erin Grey, one of the actors from the late 70's series Buck Rogers, who I watched as a teenager. Anyway Braveheart is such a great movie. One of those you can watch every some years over again. Never gets dull.
Now you need to watch the movie ROB ROY a story that has all that love, fighting ,plus he's an ancestor of mine
My first time visit to your channel.. And became your biggest fans right away.. So pretty
Remember that feeling "Eww!" When you heard the King say, "Prima Nocte." Go back and watch Avengers: Age of Ultron. When Tony is trying to lift Thor's hammer Mjolnir, he says that "If I lift it, I'm restoring Prima Nocte." (I paraphrased)
I noticed but I also had to look it up.
Between the grudge holding and the "ooo maybe she's not really pregnant and she's just saying it", business, this was the most female reaction to this movie I've ever seen. 😂
Yeah, it had never crossed my mind until now!
Jax is awesome. The whole "nah, I'll never forget Robert the Bruce's betrayal!" is an amazing take :)
@@SerHenkan To this day, I doubt Jax would date a man with the last name "the Bruce"
Please watch Outlaw King
It'll give you a better perspective of the guy that you hate at the end (robert the Bruce the guy who gets crowned)
I've never heard of anyone who didn't buy into the Bruce's redemption arc. Did she miss something?
It seemed like she missed a few things.
She missed a lot. She came off as extremely childish with black and white thinking about the entire thing.
If Bruce was played by Brad Pitt, she woulda bought into his arc.
@@cesarmedina7080incel alert!
In the words of Stephen "shes not right in the head"
We literally said, “…but ya gotta eat” at the same time! 🤭
You’re great. 😘👍🏼
That's awesome! ❤️ 🎉
20:59 "He wasn't right, in the head."
😆 _"I_ converse with the Almighty, but _he_ wasn't right in the head."
"I could crush you like a wor'um" is my favorite quote ever 😂
Hahaha! That is a great quote.
With that aim of his, I think the "wor'ums" r safe.😄
Love that too. I also randomly say it when wrestling with my kids 😂 Obviously they haven't seen the film but I showed them that clip.
Not Historicly correct wallace and the Bruce probably never even met , but still an amazing film highlighting the Scots fight to be free of English rule . Some of us are still fighting that fight today just not with swords
"was [prima nocta] real?"
This is a matter of debate - some historians think it definitely was, and others believe it's a myth. Most of the documents and novels that reference it (including potentially one Shakespeare reference) are from hundreds of years later.
But there are also many accounts from people travelling through Europe claiming it happened, especially in Scotland.
Encyclopædia Britannica and other sources used to state that it definitely happened, but changed their stances to "No, it's probably a myth" a few decades ago. At the same time, other scholars insist it was real and they can prove it based on historical evidence.
So...we don't know.
Hey Jax!!! Great reaction...you are the first reactor to see this that laughs like I do at Stephen's line, "The Almighty says He can get me out of this, but He's pretty sure, you're f---ked!" My favorite line in the whole movie!
Mel Gibson won two "Golden Boys" at the Oscars...Best Director and Best Picture. The film also won Best Cinematography, Best Make-Up, and Best Sound Effects Editing...and was nominated for Screenplay, Costumes, Score, Sound, and Film Editing.
Stephen is my favorite character, too. The actor who played him was also in Harry Potter. David O'Hara played Albert Runcorn in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2...the Ministry official Harry used hair from in the polyjuice potion when they infiltrated the Ministry, so...in a way...he also played Harry Potter! I see him pop up in action films as a bad guy, but he'll always be Stephen the Irishman to me!
Sophie Marceau (Isabelle, the Princess of Wales) is an amazing French actress. She has not done many English language films, but she did play one of my favorite Bond Girls in The World Is Not Enough, opposite Pierce Brosnan as James Bond.
Patrick McGoohan (Edward the Longshanks) is best known for his role in the 1960s surreal spy series The Prisoner. He has done many films and TV series, but somehow...it always comes back to The Prisoner. He was amazing in this film, and I liked him a lot in a comic book movie called The Phantom with Billy Zane (Cal in Titanic). In That film he plays the ghost of Billy Zane's father, who was The Phantom before Zane. It's a fun, kinda campy film from the 1990s.
I am surprised you didn't call out Hamish's father, played by James Cosmo...Lord Commander Jeor Mormont of the Night's Watch on Game of Thrones! If you did...it was in the Patreon version. Besides Mormont, I think this is Cosmo's best role ever. His death scene never fails to make me cry.
Another fine film depicting 18th century Scotland is "Rob Roy" starring Liam Neeson, Jessica Lange and John Hurt. In 1713 Scotland, Rob Roy MacGregor is wronged by a nobleman and his nephew, becomes an outlaw in search of revenge while fleeing the Redcoats, and faces charges of being a Jacobite.
Robert the Bruce was a big historical person in the fight for Scottish independence
It’s a guilty pleasure of a movie,but a lot of the history is inaccurate . The Battle of Sterling Bridge doesn’t have a bridge in this movie. Plus,Longshanks didn’t die at the castle . He died weeks later from disease in a camp near a battle his son was fighting. Bruce never betrayed Wallace either . But it’s still a fun movie.
Your rage is so understandable. Betrail is the worst feeling for a leader. I worked as a humanitarian relief during the war in Africa and saw horrible things but I still have problem watching this movie because Mel Gibson did such a great job with this story and you feel the roller coaster of emotions. Great movie, great acting. Standing for what you believe is the lesson. Love watching you reacting, love your rage and comments. Bless you.
"Suck it, England!" 🤣🤣Too funny. Such a charming and rewarding reaction from you as always, tho it's been too long since I've seen one of yours. Braveheart is SUCH the epic film!
Most of the land reclaimed was the Scottish nobility reclaimed land from the Scotts, crofter's, do the research and don't take your history from an Australian
I saw notification and got pretty excited. I already know you'll love this.
Thank you for watching and for turning your notifications on!!!! This was such an amazing movie! ❤🎉
@@reactswithjax
Some disillusioning real history:
1. The Princess of Wales was 6 when Wallace died.
2. Wallace once skinned a friar and made a belt out of him.
3. The Battle of Falkirk was conducted across a bridged river, and Wallace defied chivalry by not letting the British cross first before engaging.
4. Wallace WAS seven feet tall, or close to it.
5. His father was not a landed commoner. They were minor nobility.
Historically speaking, Robert never betrayed Wallace. As far as the movie goes, there are obvious liberties taken. I don't blame Robert for Wallace's capture in the film, even if he was a bit naive.
I hate how this movie stabs Robert in the back.
The movie "Outlaw King" on Netflix has a good, reasonably accurate, portrayal of the early events of the story of Robert the Bruce...
@@df6957 I tried to watch that bro.
Problem was I couldnt get past the fact that is was Chris Pine...lol
Everytime I saw him all I could see was Captain Kirk and it felt weird🤣
@@brucefale6132
True😂😂😂
"Obvious liberties taken" You mean the entire film is entirely historically inaccurate... great movie but entirely fiction
The famous Snow White death scene with her hand dropping the poison apple... Mel Gibson also used the same death symbolism when William was beheaded, showing his hand dropping the handkerchief (their marriage vow)... memorable death symbolism... Bravo!
You need to watch Outlaw/King with Chris Pine as Robert The Bruce. It’s a more accurate biopic of King Robert and how he actually led a rebellion against the English.
There’s also another movie called Robert The Bruce with Angus MacFadyan back to play him which is a more personal, low budget story about him being cared for by a mother and her children and being encouraged to keep fighting.
I love Braveheart, but it’s done more like a romantic fantasy than actual historical film.
William Wallace and Robert The Bruce actually did fight the English for many years before Wallace was executed.
Watching one of the most innocent sounding people watch one of the most brutal movies ever is hilarious lol.
"Are there sheep in this movie?"
Welsh: "Not nearly enough."
I agree! There should be more.
38:19 "Those men, they fought for Wallace. And he _fights_ for somethin' that I've _never_ had."
"Honor? Integrity? Loyalty?"
Scottish independence. Scottish sovereignty. Scottish national identity and freedom from English rule.
Of course this is a Hollywood movie and full of historical "facts" but they really did Robert the Bruce wrong. He never betrayed William Wallace (they fought as allies) and it was indeed King Robert the Bruce who won Scottish independence despite being outnumbered as much as five to one in the Battle of Bannockburn.
It's rumored that that it was the help of some of the Knights Templars who were fleeing the persecution of the church in France that helped win the battle at Bannockburn that in the battle their was a unit of heavily armored and highly trained Knights with no heraldic arms who helped turn the tide who knows.
23:21 I don't know if it's just the editing but I love how the kilts go up and the pause button gets hit and look at her face 😂
Brian Cox played Uncle Argyle here. And played an evil character in the Scottish movie Rob Roy. Both in the same year.
Rob Roy is so underrated, best duel ever, fantastic cast.
Yes, Brian is eternally old 👴
And the actor who played Hamish's father was in the first couple of seasons of Game of Thrones, as commander of the troops on the Wall....
Jax: "How dare you stab the horse?!"
Viewers: "Oh girl, just wait for it..."
This is a weird virtue signaling thing that's become popular over the last decade or so. Reactors try to pretend that a depiction of an animal being hurt is somehow more impactful than the hordes of people suffering and dying in that same film/show. And in that pretense, we're supposed to play along and applaud their compassion for animals... while ignoring their utter disdain for human life.
@@Mr.Ekshin I agree to that partially, yet she also gave a good reason that I can accept - the Horses never had a clue what would happen until they also got stabbed and killed. But ofc at that time no one cared for animals like we do today 😉
@@Ezekielepharcelis - Do you think most people in those times (or even today), had any say whatsoever, as to whether they would go to fight?
@@Mr.Ekshin From a warfare perspective of the time depicted in those movies, if you want to take down someone on horseback: take down the horse!
@@Mr.Ekshin Caring about animal welfare doesn't change how deeply I care about people. Domesticated animals typically trust humans explicitly and are quite vulnerable. Most people feel a responsibility to treat them with respect. Considering they are innocently unaware that people are about to harm them when they are running into battle, I do think it warrants separate commentary when they get hurt. For you to suggest an honest reaction to an animal being stabbed to death means a reactor has an "utter disdain for human life," seems like a mischaracterization.
Stevens initial introduction is one of my favorite scenes!
Hollywood version of Scottish/English history...Good film though. FYI, The Prince's at this time was 3 years old and living in France.
You should check out 300, 300 Rise of an Empire, and Troy
Jax, your reaction when Princess Isabella revealed her pregnancy to King Longshanks tells me that you realised exactly what I thought at that moment: that William Wallace had, in a way, won at that point. (Well, if this whole thing was true, that is.)
I totally understand your eyerolls at Robert the Bruce since Falkirk.
My dad is totally obsessed with this film.
Once again, Jax, thank you for this wild ride.
Although in real life at the time Princess Isabella was 10 years old and still in France when Wallace was executed.
@@nigelhyde279 But she did dethrone her LGBT husband later on.
The flower is a thistle -- the symbol of Scotland.
The first battle is supposed to be the battle of Sterling bridge, except there is no bridge in the scene. When asked why did he do battle of stirling bridge without the bridge, Mel Gibson said 'the bridge got in the way of a good battle'. 'Aye, thats what the english found out too' came back the retort.
Also the pike strategy used in that scene was a bastardized version of a brilliant strategy used by the actual Robert the Bruce in the Battle of Loudoun Hill.
3:00 I can confirm even in the 1980s we played like this. We have only gotten soft in recent decades
Bruce didnt sell out Wallace for the throne. His father or that other noble did. thats why that one noble was like "you must not hurt the bruce." also where his whole speech about hating is father and it will die with him was shown. he wanted the crown but not at that price. thats what i have gleamed from it at least.
I'm Indian American and have William Wallaces sword tattooed on my neck from this movie lol
"What's purification?" - Jax
*Movie's introduction mentions being slaughtered*
25:21 _"'Retreat?' 'Retreat?'_ I was expecting them to _lose_ this battle."
There's a lot more to war than the number of _troops_ at your command, Jax.
You should watch outlaw king for a more accurate depiction of king Robert the Bruce
7:57 If you recall in Avengers: Age of Ultron, Tony Stark jokes about becoming King of Asgard and instituting prima nocta if he can lift Thor's hammer. This is what he was joking about, and it ended up generating a small bit of controversy because they didn't think Tony should've joked about such a cruel and disgusting practice.
I'm a Scot. The Irish are indeed our brothers and sisters.
Hello! Great seeing some true deep emotion during the tragic death of William’s wife. I saw this movie in the theater when it came out and walked out of the theater when I saw that happened I was so upset. Then walked back in and ultimately loved this film with all my heart.
Thanks for the reaction.
There is a little known spin-off/sequel to Braveheart that came out in 2019 called “Robert the Bruce”. The same actor that played him in Braveheart reprises his role as Robert the Bruce.
Wasnt that Chris Pine ?
@@BigBass-xf5yi No, it was Angus MacFadyen
@@BigBass-xf5yiChris Pine’s movie was called Outlaw King
"But... the horses didn't want to go to war..."
Neither did the men.
Need to now watch Outlaw King (2018), 15 minutes in is the aftermath of Wallace’s death, and a more historical accurate film, very similar style of film to Braveheart!
If you loved Wallace, Stephen and Hamish in Braveheart, you’ll love Black Douglas in Outlaw King, even crazier than Irish Stephen!
This is my favorite movie of all time. It has so many things wrong with it but the story and everything is just the best.
I saw it when it was released and it is still the best.
After they mooned the English, you see one man hit twice with an arrow in two separate scenes.
His name was Damien Muldarry.
I knew him when I was in the seminary in Ireland.
He came to NY a decade ago, his wife and child returned to Ireland, and then he committed suicide.
I saw him the year before, I wished I had made plans to hang out.
I miss him.
14:00 Awwww, your enthusiasm for bloody vengeance is so endearing... :)))
Historically Celtic women fought in wars alongside the men, and some did rise to rule.
What has Celtic women got to do with Braveheart? There are no Celtic women in Braveheart
@@Penddraig7You should do the pre-reading. The Kingdom of Scotland was formed when two Celtic tribes, the Picts and Gaels, merged in the Middle Ages, when Braveheart is set, So *all* the Scottish women depicted are Celtic. The Irish and Welsh are also of Celtic origins.
@@MGower4465 that’s not what happened, I think you should take your own advice and do “the pre-reading” because you clearly don’t know Scottish history if that comment is anything to go by
as a scotsman i can confirm steven is the best character and i fell in love with you watchign this :O
"I wonder what the population of Scotland was at this time"
It's impossible for us to know because although England had an established government and bureaucracy and all the paperwork that comes with it, Scotland did not. But we think it was under a million people. It's about 5.5 million today.
I've heard about 400,000 for AD 1300
I like the version of Bruce depicted in this film. He was a complex character, with fears, full of contradictions, but just as he said, he was never on the wrong side again after his father convinced him of betraying Wallace. I love this movie since I first watched it in 1996. And let's not forget about James Horner's marvelous score! Greetings from Chile :)
You would want loads of sheep in the background of a shot. With so many takes cut together to get the scene correct it would be a nightmare to try and maintain continuity with wandering animals
36:30 The way your facial expression changed at the betrayal! Great reaction.
@Jax, Murron as a little girl didn't just give little William any flower. She gave him a purple thistle flower, the national flower of Scotland. Symbolism in your face but only if you know about it to start with. 😉
That's so beautiful!
Robert the Bruce (born July 11, 1274-died June 7, 1329, Cardross, Dumbartonshire, Scotland) was the king of Scotland (1306-29), who freed Scotland from English rule, winning the decisive Battle of Bannockburn (1314) and ultimately confirming Scottish independence in the Treaty of Northampton (1328)
Recall Tony Stark in Age of Ultron, when trying to pu Thor's hammer, he said " I'll be reinstating prima nocta "
A line that didn’t make the final cut. I guess they didn’t want Tony Stark making jokes about raping women.
@@SolidSnake8295 Weird, it's in the version I've seen as well as many reaction channels I've watched.
@@jonnyincognito899 Some versions have it and the scene is on UA-cam, but the prima nocta line definitely wasn’t in the version that was originally released in theaters.
IIRC, they replaced it with a lame line like “I’ll be firm but fair” or something along those lines.
I do remember that! The line made it into the version they have on Disney+.
@SolidSnake8295 dude it's in the theatrical release... its in every version on every streaming app and the DVD releases
Ohhhhh Jax!!! I absolutely adored watching this with you! Your reactions and commentary are the BEST! Gained a new follower and I can’t wait to see your other reaction videos! I’m definitely going to check to see if you reacted to all of the emotional amazing movies on par with Braveheart! You’re awesome!!! 🤩
Oh boy this is always fun seeing women see the early love story only to turn to bloodlust for the rest of the movie!
Ottamus_Prima Nocte.
Gaza people also do the same thing to protect their Land