The movie Braveheart, released in 1995 and directed by and starring Mel Gibson, is a highly fictionalized and romanticized portrayal of the life of William Wallace, a Scottish knight who is revered as a national hero for leading a rebellion against English rule in the late 13th century. While the film does contain some elements of historical truth, it is ultimately a work of historical fiction and should not be taken as a reliable source of information about the life and times of William Wallace.
One of the most significant historical inaccuracies in Braveheart is the portrayal of Wallace as a simple farmer who is spurred to action by the murder of his wife at the hands of English soldiers. In reality, Wallace was a nobleman who had already been involved in political and military activities prior to the events depicted in the film. He was also not married at the time of his death, and there is no evidence to suggest that his wife was killed by the English.
The film also portrays Wallace as leading a unified Scottish rebellion against the English, with all of the Scottish nobles rallying behind him. In reality, the conflict between the English and the Scots was much more complex and involved rivalries and divisions among the Scottish nobility. Many of the Scottish nobles were actually loyal to the English crown and opposed Wallace's rebellion.
Another major historical inaccuracy in Braveheart is the depiction of the Battle of Stirling Bridge, in which Wallace and his army defeat a much larger English force. In the film, the Scottish army is able to win the battle thanks to a clever tactical maneuver involving the use of a narrow bridge to their advantage. However, the real Battle of Stirling Bridge did not take place on a bridge, and the Scottish victory was not due to any particular tactical genius on the part of Wallace.
In addition to these significant historical distortions, Braveheart also takes a number of liberties with the events and characters of the time period. For example, the film portrays the English king Edward I as a cruel and heartless tyrant, while in reality he was a complex figure who was both respected and reviled by his contemporaries. The film also includes a number of fictional characters and events that have no basis in historical fact.
In conclusion, while Braveheart may be an entertaining and emotionally powerful film, it is not an accurate representation of the life and times of William Wallace or the history of Scotland in the late 13th century. It is important to approach the film with a critical eye and not take its portrayal of historical events at face value.