Outlaw King is a sweeping epic beautifully and brutally depicting Robert Bruce’s (Chris Pine) arduous efforts to unite all Scots and free Scotland from British rule. Braveheart made us familiar with the Scots’ graphically bloody plight for freedom in the 14th century. This film echoes similar sentiments, especially when William Wallace’s death inspires Bruce to boldly take action against the British monarchy.
While Wallace is fighting in the Battle of Falkirk, Bruce obeys his father’s (James Cosmo) wishes and reluctantly pledges fealty to King Edward I of England (Stephen Dillane). The monarchy marks this alliance with an arranged marriage between sweet Lady Elizabeth (Florence Pugh) and hesitantly accommodating Lord Bruce. The stage is set for relative peace, but all goodwill is lost when the Brits savagely disembody Wallace and suspend parts of him throughout England and Scotland as a warning to all Scots. The chilling sight of Wallace’s severed torso prompts Bruce to break his pledge and rally his people in the fight for justice and freedom.
“…Robert Bruce’s arduous efforts to unite all Scots and free Scotland from British rule.”
In all aspects of his life, Bruce is clearly a man of honor and decency. He is a loving father to his little girl, an understanding gentleman to his bride, and a fiercely loyal brother and friend. He would not instigate a war without merit, and he does not want to be king for selfish and superficial reasons. His only goal is to serve his people, not to rule over them and stake claim to their land. Conversely, King Edward and his maniacal son (Billy Howle) are self-serving tyrants.
The Prince of Wales is a true foil to Bruce. Upon hearing of the Scots’ efforts, England raises the dragon flag, disregarding all chivalry in battle. The result is horrifying. Prince Edward ruthlessly pilages his way through Scotland in search of the ever evading Bruce and tries luring him out by violently striking where it hurts him the most – his family.
David Mackenzie has artfully crafted a visually stunning film. Panoramic views capture beautiful and romantic landscapes. Viewers are drawn into the narrative as the camera circles around Bruce during intimate conversations and suspenseful confrontations. He tastefully depicts gruesome and visceral battle sequences. Blood splatters across the screen during hand-to-hand combat and swords impale soldiers, but it is done so with much more reserve than the haunting gore excessively illustrated in Braveheart. The climactic battle will leave you breathless, without making you feel disgusted.
“…a gripping, moving and grand film full of spellbinding performances.”
As for the much talked about nudity. Pine made a valid point on the publicity circuit. Full nudity is expected from women, but not from men. If an actor bares all, it is taboo or mystifying. A big deal is made out of it, and that is not fair to either gender. There is nothing salacious about Pine’s exposure because it happens organically – once during a tender love scene and another time while bathing in nature. These fleeting moments do not (and should not) distract from the greatness of this film in its entirety.
Outlaw King is a gripping, moving and grand film full of spellbinding performances. Pine effortlessly embodies Bruce’s conviction, bravery, and compassion. Aaron Taylor-Johnson is a scene-stealer as the ravenous James Douglas, who loyally serves Bruce and seeks justice for his family. Pugh is enchanting as Elizabeth, a strong and smart woman who supports her husband’s noble efforts and is willing to sacrifice her life for their beliefs. Howle is frighteningly compelling as the Prince of Wales. His scenes with the incredible Dillane are absolutely chilling. The supporting cast is equally mesmerizing.
Bottom line: You do not want to miss out on this supremely entertaining, vividly illuminating, and brilliantly well-rounded film.
Outlaw King (2018) Directed by David Mackenzie. Written by Bathsheba Doran, David Mackenzie, James MacInnes. Starring Chris Pine, Stephen Dillane, Billy Howle, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Florence Pugh.
9 out of 10 stars
This might have been a great film. Unfortunately it’s badly undermined by weak dialogue and, with the exception of a surprisingly good Pine, two-dimensional performances in the service of two-dimensional dialogue. I had high expectations for “Outlaw King” and came away utterly underwhelmed.
As both a descendant of Robert the Bruce and an amateur historian (I studied Scottish history at the University of St. Andrews), I was thrilled with this film and only disappointed that it was not given wide release on the big screen where it deserves to be seen. My sister and I drove from San Diego to Los Angeles to see it on the one screen where it was showing in Southern California, and it was well worth it. The photography is breathtaking and draws you right into medieval life with not only the mud, but the candlelight, the ecclesiastical pageantry, and the light and dark of the Scottish landscapes. We don’t really know what Robert looked like, though his bones indicate he was tall (just an inch shorter than “Longshanks”), but for my money, Chris Pine was perfect at conveying his intelligence, determination and gravitas. Robert was an educated man, and his campaign was one of strategic brilliance. The supporting cast is excellent and memorable. The few historical inaccuracies are mostly there to make things comprehensible. It was Robert’s sister who was put into a cage, not Elizabeth (who was sent to a convent due to her connections), and the cage was a bit more survivable than the one shown, but still not a pleasant fate. To add two sisters to the mix would have diluted the focus. (I am so glad that the Countess of Buchan did place the crown on Robert’s head in another historical moment.) The only jarring historical anomaly was the duel between Edward II (who was not yet king at the time of Loudon Hill – nor would the great Edward I’s bones been left by the wayside!) and Robert, which would not by any medieval probability have ended as it did, even if they had met on the field. I only hope that the imagined trilogy could be completed so that we could see the full epic sweep of this struggle through Bannockburn and beyond, with Douglas carrying Bruce’s heart into battle in Spain.
Great review but… Prince of WALES please, you’ve got Prince of WHALES twice……
“the Prince of Whales” FGS How thick is this reviewer?
nor does she engage with more important points such as the reliance on stereotypes, the boringness of Bruce, and the absence of anything much for women to do in this film – Elizabeth disappears halfway through
Elizabeth was captured and imprisoned in a cage on the wall of a castle. The film kept mostly to historical fact, so what would you like her character to have done? How thick are you?