The True Story of Braveheart
The True Story of Braveheart (2000) This ‘History’s Mysteries” History Channel documentary explores the fact and fiction of William Wallace, who was portrayed by Mel Gibson as a most noble Scottish hero in Braveheart(1995). There was such a person, born into a peasant family, who killed an English sheriff in 1297, led Scottish soldiers against the English, and was drawn and quartered by the English on August 23, 1305.
In subsequent centuries the Wallace legend has served as an icon of Scottish sentiment against the English. In the 1980s, American Randall Wallace, during a visit to Great Britain, became fascinated by his name sake’s exploits. Relying heavily on Blind Harry’s (Henry the Minstrel, c1440-c92) account of William Wallace, Randall provided the screenplay for Hollywood’s Braveheart. The documentary underscores serious flaws in this ‘history’ of Wallace. Andrew Fisher, who characterizes the movie as ‘ludicrous’ in The Hunt for William Wallace (History Today, September 2005), removes much of the luster from ‘braveheart.’
