340. Robert The Bruce; movie review

ROBERT THE BRUCE
Cert 15
131 mins
BBFC advice: Contains strong violence

It's been a while since we saw Mel Gibson, daubed with woad, battling for Scotland as William Wallace in Braveheart.
Films about Robert The Bruce are not afforded the same level of traction and, consequently, the lack of budget kept a sequel away from cinemas for a long time.
Nevertheless, Richard Gray's story of the great-great granddaddy of Scottish independence proves to be quite engaging.
However, if you are expecting a biopic of the Scottish king - you are in for a disappointment. This film focuses entirely on one winter when he nearly died and others vied for his throne.
Gray's film follows on from Braveheart with Angus Macfadyen, who played the Bruce, reprising the role.
It alights upon his story after he has crowned himself king with the ambition of leading Scotland to freedom.
However, he is defeated by the English repeatedly, his army is scattered and the Scottish nobility abandons him.
With a price on his head, he is alone, wounded and hiding in a cave with his famous spider.
But he is nursed by a young widow (Anna Hutchinson) and her orphans and his battle for survival during their care is the movie's focus.
Meanwhile, the duplicitous local lord (Daniel Portman) wants to see him dead.
Robert The Bruce could not hope to emulate Braveheart because it neither has funds of star actors.
Therefore, it feels lacking in oomph by comparison the Mel Gibson award-winner. Its central problem was that it was made too late.
If it had emerged immediately from Braveheart's shadow, then it could have been equally as good.


Reasons to watch: Stirring Scottish nationalism 
Reasons to avoid: Its unknown cast

Laughs: None
Jumps: None
Vomit: None
Nudity: None
Overall rating: 7/10

Did you know? For battle, Robert the Bruce preferred to employ a light cavalry of ponies (called hobbies) and small horses (called palfreys) in a tactic known as hobelar warfare.

Final word. Angus Macfadyen: “I’d basically given up trying to make the film when it actually came together. I really knew the sense of futility of the Bruce and was able to play on that.”

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