Introduction:
Braveheart is a 1995 historical action-drama movie produced and directed by Mel Gibson, who also starred in the title role. The film was written for screen and then novelized by Randall Wallace. Gibson portrays a legendary Scot, William Wallace, who gained recognition when he came to the forefront of the First War of Scottish Independence by opposing Edward I of England and subsequently abetted by Edward's daughter-in-law Princess Isabelle and a claimant to the Scottish throne, Robert the Bruce.
Characters:
-William Wallace
-Edward I Longshanks
-Malcom Wallace
-John Wallace
-MacAndrews
-Hamish Campbell
-Argyle
-Robert Bruce
-Murron
-Stephen
-Princess Isabelle
Chapters:
1-The wits of men
2-Courage and a free Herat
3-The Royal Wedding
4-The trouble with Scotland
5-No other, forever
6-Application and consequences of laws
7-Gathering to rebel
8-Ruthlen compromise
9-Madmen and spies
10-Are you ready for war?
11-Terms and offers
12-Guardian of Scotland
13-Negotiating with a princess
14-Unity and betrayal
15-Lands of death
16-To capture a legend
17-The pledge of the Bruce
18-The crown’s price
19-A queen’s plea for mercy
20-Freedom!
21-Bleed with me
Resume:
Longshanks has occupied much of Scotland, and his oppressive rule there leads to the deaths of William Wallace's father and brother. Years later, after Wallace has been raised abroad by his uncle, the Scots continue to live under the harsh thumb of Longshanks' cruel laws. Wallace returns, intent on living as a farmer and avoiding involvement in the ongoing "Troubles." Wallace rekindles a romance with his childhood friend Murron after showing her the carefully preserved thistle she gave him as a child, and the two marry in secret to avoid the primae noctis decree the King has set forth. But after Wallace beats up a group of English soldiers attempting to rape her, the village Sheriff publicly cuts Murron's throat before Wallace is able to save her. An enraged Wallace, with the assistance of his fellow villagers, slaughters the English garrison. He then cuts the sheriff's throat with the same dagger that killed Murron.
Knowing that the local English lord will retaliate, Wallace and his men enter his castle dressed in English uniforms and burn it down. In response to Wallace's exploits, the commoners of Scotland rise in revolt against England.
As his legend spreads, hundreds of Scots from the surrounding clans volunteer to join Wallace's militia. Wallace leads his army through a series of successful battles against the English, including the Battle of Stirling and sacking the city of York. However, he is betrayed by the Scottish nobility and defeated at the Battle of Falkirk.
He goes into hiding, fighting a guerrilla war against English forces, and personally murders the two Scottish nobles who betrayed him at Falkirk. Princess Isabelle meets with Wallace as the English King's emissary. She and Wallace share a tryst, during which she conceives Wallace's child. Still believing there is some good in the nobility of his country, Wallace eventually agrees to meet with the Bruce. He is caught in a trap set by the elder Bruce and the other nobles, beaten unconscious, and handed over to the English Crown. Robert the Bruce is enraged by his father's treachery, and disowns him forever.
In London, Wallace is brought before the English magistrates and tried for high treason. He denies the charges, declaring that he had never accepted Edward as his King. The court responds by sentencing him to be "purified by pain." Later William Wallace is brutally tortured to death, being alternately hanged, racked, and finally disemboweled alive. He signals to the magistrate that he wishes to speak. Using the last ounce of strength in his tortured body, he cries out, "Freedom!". He turns his head and sees Murron in the crowd smiling at him, and smiles lovingly back at her as he is finally beheaded.
Some time later, Robert the Bruce takes control of the remaining Scottish army and faces a ceremonial line of English troops at the fields of Bannockburn. Cheering Wallace's name, Robert Bruce and the Scots charge the stunned English lines and win their freedom.
