Braveheart PEE points Scene 1 Wallace’s transformation- Lover to Warrior

Costume is used effectively during this scene to convey the savagery of the impromptu Scottish attack. As the scene unfolds, Wallace and the rest of the rebel Scots start to become slathered in a mixture of blood, mud and sweat. Their clothes which were ragged to start with also become torn. The costume and makeup highlight the raw emotion of the scene and they enhance the animalistic and barbarous nature of the Scottish rebellion.

As Wallace enters the Scottish camp, the variety of camera techniques help to suggest the idea of Wallace as a lone figure under attack. As Wallace rides into the town, tension is built with a combination of slow motion and series of camera shots and angles that make it seem as though the viewer is stalking Wallace. The camera shots make Wallace seem very vulnerable. This scene marks the beginning of the Scottish rebellion which is mostly driven forward by Wallace and the slow motion helps to convey the importance of the scene.

Sound is used effectively to both build tension in the scene, but to also draw attention to the extremity of emotion that is being felt by not only Wallace but the fellow Scots too. At the beginning of the scene the diagetic sounds are enhanced and these are coupled with an ominous drum beat. Significantly there is also very little dialogue in the scene and none from William Wallace himself. The sounds at the beginning of the scene help to build tension before the clash, and the slow enhanced diagetic sounds mimic the thoughts and feelings of Wallace as his plan of a surprise attack comes to fruition. Although his attack is clearly planned, this only comes as a result of the raw emotion that he feels at having lost his wife. The depth of emotion that he feels is shown in the lack o dialogue. This intelligent man can no longer deal with his feelings of anger and rage and so reverts back to his animalistic instincts seeking revenge in the form of a savage attack.

Prior to this scene, Wallace had made it abundantly clear that he had no intention of being involved with the rebellious groups: “I want to raise crops, and god-willing a family, if I can live in peace I will”. This shows that family was his only priority and that he was happy to live his life and work the land.

After Murron’s death, Wallace’s priorities change and a key symbol is used to highlight this key change in the character. As Wallace rides into the town, at one point he rides front on, directly towards the camera through fire and smoke. This symbol is used throughout the film to highlight turning points for either Wallace or Scotland as a whole. Prior to Murron’s death, all Wallace wanted was to settle and have a family, but as this was cruelly taken away from him, the symbol of the fire is used to show that Wallace has been reborn anew with an alternate priority: that of liberating Scotland from English oppression.

Key Scene 2 Battle of Stirling

Representation is used effectively during the Battle of Stirling scenes to ensure that the English army are portrayed as a well prepared and fully equipped fighting force, whilst the Scots are shown to be the exact opposite. The English army is shown to operate in ordered units, dressed in full uniform with sophisticated armour and weapons. The Scots are stood in an unorganised line on the battle field. They have no uniform and carry what seem to be homemade weapons. Their facial expressions highlight the Scottish army’s concern, and this coupled with their costume and unsophisticated weaponry, makes them seem more akin to farmers than soldiers. This contrasts significantly with the professional looking English soldiers, and thus the audience are drawn into the sense of despair that seems to be running through the Scottish army.

Contrasting camera shots are used to both distance the audience from the English army, and develop the connection with the Scots. Only long shots and extra-long shots are used to present the English army, whereas close-ups are used to show the viewer the individual faces of the Scottish army. The close-ups highlight the Scottish army’s concern and because close-ups are used, the viewers develops a connection with the various individual soldiers. The long shots and extra-long shots ensure that the viewer only sees the English army as a collective, thus reaffirming the connection with the rebels.

A combination of both sound and camera techniques are used to convey the increasing tension as the English heavy cavalry ride towards the Scottish line at the beginning of the Battle of Stirling. As this scene plays out, music compliments the diagetic sounds of the heavy cavalry as the slowly start to make their way towards the Scots. Camera shots pause on the Scots and the English cavalry alternately. When the cavalry start to charge and the distance between the two sides decreases, the speed of the music increases and the length of the shots on each side deceases. This combination of quick jump cuts and fast-paced music really help to build the tension in this scene just before the clash itself. The increase in pace mirrors the feeling and the heart rate of the Scottish soldiers as they watch the English heavy horse ride towards them. This really draws the viewer into the action.

A variety of camera techniques are used during the fighting scenes within the Battle of Stirling itself to really show the audience the horror of war. Throughout the battle of Stirling the viewer is placed in the heart of the action, as the shots are filmed from the centre of the fighting rather than from a distance. An array of dolly shots, zooms and angles are used, complimented by quick jump cuts which all increase the sense of pace and chaos throughout the scene. This combination of camera techniques, and editing really illuminate the brutality of the battle, and they also demonstrate the savage barbarism that the soldiers have to display in order to survive.

At the end of the Battle of Stirling symbols and setting are used to highlight the Scottish victory. At the end of the battle scene Wallace stands alone in a shot holding his sword with only the blue sky as his set. The sky is a very piercing colour of blue, matched by his eyes, which stand out through his bloodied and muddy face. Just as his eyes stand out, the sword itself still manages to glint in the light, reminiscent of his father’s funeral, despite the fact that it is bloodied. The blue sky occurred once before in the film during a date with Murron. This sky is associated with happiness and freedom, as these were the clear sentiments during the previous scene with Murron. After her death, Wallace realised that he was not free. This victory at the Battle of Stirling symbolises the first time that he has felt a sense happiness and liberation again since the death of his wife. He has managed to achieve this victory through he use of his sword, which is a symbol of good and righteousness throughout the film, supported by the fact that it is used in the following scene to knight him as a guardian of Scotland.