OUTLAW/ KING
UK, 2018, 121 minutes, Colour.
Chris Pine, Stephen Dillane, Billy Howle, Florence Pugh, Sam Spruell, Callum Mulvey, Johnny Phillips, James Cosmo, Tony Curran.
Directed by David Mackenzie.
Scottish history in the Middle Ages. This time the focus on Robert the Bruce.
In 1995, Mel Gibson’s film, Braveheart, about the rebel William Wallace, won the Oscar for Best Film and made quite an impact around the world, a sympathetic thrust for Scotland and independence, and unsympathetic thrust at England.
Outlaw/King takes up the subsequent history (including a grim reference to the execution of William Wallace). Edward I of England has conquered and has a meeting with the Scottish Lords including the two members of the Bruce clan. The Lords have agreed to loyalty that there is a deep resentment within them for the conquering by the English.
The film was directed by David Mackenzie, Scottish director, better known for smaller films like Harlem Foe, The Asylum, Perfect Sense – but moving to the United States with great success for Hell and High Water. He uses the star of that film, Chris Pine, an unlikely casting for Robert the Bruce.
However, this is a 21st-century perspective on Scottish history and of the film was released during the Brexit negotiations, with memories that Scotland voted against Britain leaving the European Union. It is interesting to speculate on these themes while watching the film. The
Stephen Dillane is very effective, sinister and dominating as Edward I. His son, the Prince of Wales, played by Billy Howle, is a callow young man, disapproved of by his father, wanting to prove himself given command but failing. (The final credits give information about the characters and the subsequent history - those familiar with Elizabeth and drama will remember the grim play, Edward II, by Christopher Marlowe.)
The King nominates a bride for Robert the Bruce, Elizabeth De Burgh (a strong performance from Florence Pugh, powerful in Lady Macbeth and The Little Drummer Girl). No love at first, then standing up for her husband in public, her capture and internment in a cage on the wall of the castle, her refusal to sign a document repudiating her husband.
Robert the Bruce Hills a former ally and submits to the bishops for their support in his cause against England. He begins to gather troops, relying on loyal officers in his campaigns, especially Lord Douglas, humiliated by Edward I. Not all the clans agree and there are various skirmishes but, after a brutal defeat when Robert the Bruce had challenged the leading knight to single combat to resolve the conflict and the English perpetrate a vicious night attack, the rebellion is truly sealed.
Edward, dissatisfied with his son, decides to ride at the head of his troops but dies. The Prince of Wales continues and amasses a force of 3000 while the Scots can only field 500. As in the battles in Braveheart, the Scots use their strategy with cunning and skill, especially the digging ditches into trenches and installing pikes.
The battle scenes are particularly grim and graphic.
Robert the Bruce united the Scots clans, a kingdom for 300 years until James I became king of England and Scotland.
1. Scottish history? Audience knowledge? The impact of Braveheart and the story of William Wallace and its influence in the 1990s? The presence of Robert the Bruce?
2. 21st-century perspectives on Scotland, the mediaeval Europe, repression by England, the rebels in the fight for independence?
3. The director, his career, his Scots perspective?
4. The title, expectations? Knowledge of Robert the Bruce?
5. Elaborating the situation at the beginning of the 14th century, the role of England and its dominance, the power of Edward I, his personality, the conflict with William Wallace and the rebellion? The defeat of Wallace? The severing of his arm and its being posted in the public square? The effect on the rebels?
6. The initial assembly, the English and the Scots, the Scottish Lords in making peace with Edward? The Bruces, father and son and their making peace? Edward, his rule, harsh, putting down any sign of rebellion? His power, domination of his son, the son as ineffectual?
7. The portrait of Robert, the scenes with his father, the bond with him, with his father and his father’s death? Edward and the decree about Robert’s wedding, the nomination, Elizabeth, the politeness between the two, the ceremony, the blessing for the wedding night, Robert being distant, leaving Elizabeth in her room? His previous marriage, the death of his wife, his love for his daughter? Elizabeth and her care for Marjorie? Her loyalty to Robert, in love with him, the public demonstration and her defiance of English military in the streets? Robert appreciating this? His organising her escape with Marjorie, their fleeing the town, their being captured, Marjorie sent to the convent with a harsh nun, Elizabeth put in a cage on the wall of the castle? Prince Edward and his document, renouncing Robert, her parents urging her? Her refusal?
8. Robert, his personality, his experience, the links with the clans? The various leaders? The significance of Douglas and Edward I expelling him, humiliating him? Angus, the constant loyalty? Robert and the confrontation with John, talking peace, Robert killing him? The meeting with the bishops, asking for pardon, the Bishop supporting him?
9. The growing rebellion, the king and his wanting to put it down, nominating his son to work with the other knight? Prince Edward in the past, growing up with Robert, challenging him to the duel but its being interrupted? The meeting with Robert and the troops, the proposal of single combat, the viciousness of the night raid, the arrows and fires in the dark? The Scots going to exile, the plan to go to Ireland, on the boats, the attacks from other clans?
10. The Scots re-forming, the various loyalties, Scottish Lords and their not joining but not preventing Robert? The later coming and joining? The small numbers of men?
11. Edward, his anger, putting his son in charge, rebuking him for not achieving much? Edward I leading his troops, riding along the coast, he is becoming ill, collapsing and dying? His son not fulfilling his wishes for burial?
12. The Scots and the buildup of the troops, the strategies, the digging of the ditches, the pikes? The arrogant English, the attack, the trenches, the impaling, the hand-to-hand fighting? The deaths, the young man with the crown for Robert and his dying? The retreat of the English?
13. Robert as King, the 300 years history of independence, James I and his becoming king of England and Scotland in the 17th century? The further history of Scotland and independence?
14. And this film being released at the time of Brexit negotiations and the vote of the Scots against it?
