Jim Daly

The fact that this film is being sniped at with such bitterness in some quarters shows that any creative endeavour involving Robert The Bruce is still live political ammunition. It would be a pity though, if the audience for this thoughtful film was limited along the lines of political partisanship. Angus Macfadyen offers us a surprising take on the legend of Bruce, which is unlikely to raise anyone's political hackles. After many defeats against the English, Bruce is ready to give up the fight and flee into the wilds of Scotland. He is hunted for the bounty on his head and almost killed. On the brink of death, he finds refuge with Morag (Anna Hutchinson), whose husband died fighting with Bruce, and her young family. While she attempts to nurse Bruce back to health, the threat of those seeking to hunt him down draws ever nearer. Bruce, broken mentally and physically, must try to heal, and regain his sense of purpose and destiny before it is too late. MacFadyen makes the bold choice of portraying Bruce as vulnerable and enfeebled for much of the film. He also has surprisingly little dialogue; much of the story of his spiritual renewal is simply told through those large, greenish-brown eyes, as he watches the tale of this family's courage unfold in front of him. It makes his re-emergence as leader all the more stirring. But the emotional heft of the film is carried by the wonderful Anna Hutchison, as Morag. Ultimately, this is a not a film about the glory of victory, but of making sure you know what you are fighting for, and it is worth the sacrifice.

First of all, well done to David Mackenzie and everybody involved for getting it made. While never hitting the heights of 'Braveheart', it is a film I can definitely recommend. Chris Pine is an inspired piece of casting as Bruce, oozing intensity and charisma, and portraying Bruce as the intelligent and thoughtful man he undoubtedly was. The film makes a praiseworthy attempt to put you in the place and time and not to modernise the mentality of the characters. It lays emphasis not only on the sacrifice of Bruce but that of the ordinary people who supported him. The settings look authentic and the location work is often magnificent (watch it on a big screen if you can). The weaknesses? It is incredibly difficult to do justice to a towering figure like Bruce, you would need at least a twelve episode series to even come close. Even though the film wisely focuses on a relatively small span of time, there is still something of the feel of a rushed bio-pic about it, the events come thick and fast, slamming into each other like billiard balls. Unfortunately at times the writing feels rushed too, and scenes are there to carry information, all set-up and no drama. Bruce's father, seemingly hale and hearty at the begining of a conversation, sums up a few things for Robert, and then dies with almost comedic swiftness. Edward was at least shown to be ailing, but he suddenly ceases breath too, despite being in good enough shape to be dissing his son with gusto a moment before. And then there is the one-on-one with Bruce and Edward II near the end of the film. David, if you ever have the opportunity to do another 'cut' of the film, take this out. It's supposed to bring things full circle with Bruce and Edward II after their first confrontation, but it just doesn't work, its embarrasingly bad. A few close shots of Edward's dismay juxtaposed with the English retreat would get the job done. I was wincing all through this scene because after two hours of very competent film-making, this threatened to tip everything over on its backside, and throw away the good work of a lot of people. Thankfully the film ends on a well-judged scene with Bruce and Elizabeth de Burgh which goes some way to erasing the memory of this debacle. Whilst not a classic, there is much to enjoy here, definitely worth watching.