Robert the Bruce

My title kind of sums up the general feeling towards this watchable but pensive movie, concerning the life and times of one of Scotland's greatest heroes. In fact it's only really about a month in real time and leading up to his final, victorious battle against the English. Great scenery, competent acting (with authentic details ans accents) but lacking in the sheer excitement and high drama of say a Mel Gibson production.

Good and accurate. but... Robert The Bruce in 1306 had 32 years old... so maybe the choice of Angus MacFayden wasn't a good one... looking at him it seems that 25 years from the death of William Wallace has passed and not only 1 :-) :-) :-)

Ok!

To be fare straight!

This movie is not so bad if you expecting a Drama movie.

But for those who's looking for action is not for you.

I was disappointed at this movie because Angus Macfadyen was playing the part as Robert the Bruce. The same actor playing Robert the Bruce on Brave heart. So my expectation was very high.

It was said that this movie was kind a sequel to Brave Heart, and the storyline from that movie to this one fits very good. But it doesn't have the same style as Brave Heart. This is more like Drama movie with a low budget production.

Not much really happens in the movie. Not much action at all except for one ore two fighting scenes. The rest is just drama.

The movie focus on Robert the Bruce hiding from other Scott's in a cave because of a price on his head. Actually the movie dose not show so much about Robert. Instead it's has it focus on another family with a mother telling stories about Robert to her kids. Robert do not appear much in this movie and has not so many lines.

This movie was not for me and I lost focus so many times in this movie because I got so bored.

I am going to start by saying that the accents in this film are diabolical. Apart from the main star, Angus McFadyen, I found it painful to listen to everyone attempting to try a generic Scottish accent. For this reason I am deducting stars, because I couldn't concentrate on the plot.

The film runs at a very slow pace, which does add to the atmosphere but almost at the detriment of keeping the viewer's interest.

On the plus Angus McFadyen is great in the role as Robert and it is truly wonderful to see him in this role again (after 24 years since Braveheart). The action that we see is very well done and you can tell there is a lot of love in this film.

I would recommend this as a film you could watch in an afternoon but I wouldn't say that this is a film I would desperately go out of my way see otherwise.

I had the privilege of seeing this in Edinburgh at a small screening, film was introduced by the main star and director. This is clearly a labour of love and small budget dealing with The Bruce on the run and giving up on himself. Being hunted by other Scots who are after some coin, he has to hide out through winter. Filmed mostly in Montana with a bit of Scotland at the end, seems a bit of a shame but this sort of thing happens a lot. The film itself is a slow burner and a bit of a come down on the back Brave Heart, this is a beaten King giving up and hiding out, wounded he is taken in by a family who've lost their Husband/father to the battles with the English army. Some mixed feelings towards him but they come to terms in the end he is a good King and wants what's best for Scotland.

Bits of the film reminded me of old westerns like High Noon or 3:10 to Yuma, there's a showdown coming and the odds are against you but you have to fight regardless. It was good to see Angus back in the role of Bruce seems fitting and if they ever do a Bannockburn movie I'd want him back in the role.