The Bruce (1996)

In the early 14th century, Scottish warrior and Earl Robert the Bruce is crowned King of Scots, leading Scotland during the First War of Scottish Independence against England.

Directors:

Bob Carruthers, David McWhinnie

Writer:

Bob Carruthers (screenplay)

Stars:

Gary Andrew, Brian Blessed, Richard Brimblecombe

Cast

Credited cast:
Gary Andrew	...	Scottish Soldier
Brian Blessed	...	Edward I
Richard Brimblecombe	...	Edward II
Conor Chamberlain	...	Elizabeth Bruce
Steven Clark	...	English Soldier
Tomm Cody	...	Soldier
Pavel Douglas	...	John 'Red' Comyn
Ross Dunsmore	...	Nigel Bruce
Vincent Faber	...	Scottish Soldier
Kern Falconer	...	Black Douglas
Heather Flannagan	...	Majorie Bruce
Graeme Ford	...	Knight to Edward I
Dee Hepburn	...	Mary Bruce
John Hoye	...	Edward James
Paul Kerr	...	knight to Edward II

Storyline

Robert the Bruce unites the Scots in a rebellion against the hated English, led by Edward I. He is supported by various loyal followers, notably the bishop who agrees to recognize his claim and crown him as King of the Scots.

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Plot Keywords:

robert the bruce | earl | scottish independence | 14th century | england | 

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Taglines:

Courage never dies...

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Genres:

Biography | Drama | History | War

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Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English Scottish Gaelic

Release Date:

12 April 1996 (UK)

Also Known As:

Robert Brus

Filming Locations:

Blackness Castle, Blackness, Falkirk, West Lothian, Scotland, UK

Box Office

Budget:

$500,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Cromwell Productions Ltd., Lamancha Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

107 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Stereo

Color:

Color (Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

A school girl in Dunfermline skipped school one day and landed a part in this, crowning Robert The Bruce. She then went on to film other scenes including a corpse. Although she never got paid she claims it was the most exciting thing that happened. Never been in front of cameras before ,she was shy but found it easy as set was closed when Oliver Reed was in the coronation scene. The crown on Sandy (Robert The Bruce) kept slipping off his wig . He told the school girl that inside was a dot which was supposed to sit at the back. This helped. The next scene was perfect and they kept it in movie where the school girl smiles at her friends next to her, happy it stayed on.

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Alternate Versions

UK versions were cut by 16 secs by the BBFC to remove all shots of women's bloodstained breasts.

User Reviews

" The Spider's web has looped six times and Sterling Castle awaits for a seventh time "

From the annals of Scotish history comes this story and film which tells the legend of Robert " The Bruce (Sandy Welch)." The Scots, having endured years of brutal English rule, once again take up arms against the insufferable tyranny and do so under a new crown king of Scotland. England is ruled by Edward I, the brutal king of England in this film played by Brian Blessed, who plays it to the hilt. Other notables in the film are Oliver Reed and Michael Van Wijk. The movie itself is lased with an assortment of English and Scotish notability, but because the director Bob Carruthers decided to keep all characters in 'scrag' weaponry, motley costumes, shaggy long hair, five day old beards and despicable dress even after war time battles, everyone in the film are terrible looking to the audience members. As such, one can hardly distinguish between friend and for alike. The battle scene are authentic looking, but if you have a 'stop-frame' recorder, you may notice that several combatants fighting each other are not very convincing. In many respects, this movie should follow historically on the footsteps of the Mel Gibson film ' Braveneart. ' As such, the audience does it's best to follow The Bruce with patience and understand. So enjoy it if you can, but don't expect too much. I'll recommend it because the late Oliver reed is in it. ****