"What Braveheart did for Scottish Independence" Topic

"On September 18, 2014, voters in Scotland will take part in a referendum that will determine the fate of the United Kingdom. The question being asked is "Should Scotland be an independent country?" and if the Yes side wins, it will lead to a breakup between Scotland and England, a union that was created in 1707.

Twenty years ago support for Scottish independence was confined to a small minority – but the release of the film Braveheart in the spring of 1995 changed their fortunes. The movie, starring Mel Gibson, tells the story of William Wallace, a Scottish leader who fights against English domination at the end of the 13th century. Braveheart was a massive success, generating over $200 USD million in box office sales and winning five Oscars at the 68th Academy Awards, including Best Picture.

The movie's effect in Scotland was even more profound, and spawned a new nationalism movement. Lin Anderson, author of Braveheart: From Hollywood to Holyrood, explained in an interview "It has become part of the fabric of Scotland. There was anger that people didn't know who William Wallace was, and had been cheated of their history. But whether it is myth or reality, it created an aspirational national hero at a time when we needed heroes."…"

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Full article here
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Amicalement
Armand

I wonder if "The Patriot" will do the same for the USA?

National identity based on poorly researched movies. Yes, it could happen I guess :)

I don't see how they can say that that 20 years ago it was a small minority. A minority yes but not that small it would have dropped back from 1987 to 90 when there may even have been a majority.

I think that that article is as well researched as the picture.

x42

y Facepaint? ;)

It makes as much sense as anything. An American who grew up in Australia in a movie where there is no bridge at Stirling Bridge will influence the fate of a nation.
I blame Lady Gaga.

Wait, wasn't the working title for Patriot "Braveheart II"? I was bummed there never was a third installment of that fantasy franchise. I'm mean, the Hobbit got three movies all by itself – why did this one only get two?

The Princess Bride has more relevance to Scottish Independence than Braveheart

I think everyone in the UK should get a vote on the break up of the union

(I'd vote for the Most Serene Republic of Stroud)

I am waiting for the Hollywood movie about Whitghar. Then watch the growth of the independence movement for the Isle Of Wight!

"(I'd vote for the Most Serene Republic of Stroud)"

Stroud certainly does seem to reside in its own pocket universe :)

My impression at the time was that Braveheart only attracted the louts in Scotland and was widely mocked for its bad acting, ridiculous leaps of logic, dodgy accents, and general air of bogusness. On the other hand, the positive value of that film and Rob Roy, which came out the same year, is that Mel and Liam made it acceptably cool to wear the kilt again and my life as a kilt-wearing piper in the USA has been noticeably more amiable and less vilified since those movies "educated" many Americans about Highland clothing and society (sort of, somewhat).

PS: "AYE!"

Seriously? BRAVEHEART?!?! I am speechless….

I liked the movie, but I was hoping to be entertained, not educated. There are other media for that.

Skirts aside (actually please don't!), how soon after independence will the Scots starting cross border raiding into Engrand again?

As long as the Oil and Single Malt continue to flow, go the Thistle!