Smithsonian Video about William Wallice.

[commissarmoody]

http://www.smithsonianchannel.com/sc/web/full-episodes/titles/25391/the-real-story-braveheart

[Paul]

Iīm still amazed it got five oscars..if it had been in the Fantasy category,  no Problems.
This pic anoys me....the guy who portrays the Irish "itīs moi Island!" guy, is in the film right handed but for this Scene heīs gone left handed (far right of the pic face covered by the pole)

as can be seen  later,  in this shot

[Crossedlances]

So poor I can not be bothered with it.....

[commissarmoody]

True it is not the best if docs. But its not a subject that gets much attention on this side of the pond, so its good for small crunchy bites, but hardly a main course.  

[Orlock]

Not one to stir it up..being descended from Norman heritage but...well he was a bit of a trouble maker. A bit like Mel Gibson.

[Atheling]

Sadly, "This video is not available to users in your location." seems to be the order of the day! 

Darrell.

[former user]

Iīm still amazed it got five oscars..if it had been in the Fantasy category,  no Problems.
This pic anoys me....the guy who portrays the Irish "itīs moi Island!" guy, is in the film right handed but for this Scene heīs gone left handed

what, skilled with both hands is not an option for You? 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ambidexterity

[Patrice]

what, skilled with both hands is not an option for You? 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ambidexterity

In some re-enactment battles I've also met some guys who could only be described as "ambisenestrous". 

[Atheling]

In some re-enactment battles I've also met some guys who could only be described as "ambisenestrous". 

 

Darrell.

[former user]

the duel scene from "The Princess Bride" comes to mind 

[Hitman]

Hey Paul;
It is not that uncommon for people to be right handed and use weapons with their left hand. I happen to be one of those people. I study Martial Arts and I am trained in several weapon categories, and the martial arts training has improved my ability to use weapons using either hand efficiently. Also, when playing sports (baseball, hockey, golf, etc.) I throw right, catch left and use a bat, golf club and hockey stick left handed...I have been like that my entire life. My youngest son is the same way as me while my Dad is the opposite...he is left handed but plays all sports right handed. It just means people like us are able to use more of our brain's ability than most people...this type of ability has been highly researched and published in the American Medical Journals and other such publications.
Regards,
Hitman
 

[Patrice]

I did not notice it at first glance, but now that you talk about it, things look wrong on this picture.

Right-handed people hold a pike, spear, or pointy staff, with their right hand close to their hip and their left hand forward; this gives more strength to resist shock, and to thrust.
It is for long cutting weapons (hallberd, bill, two-handed axe) that they have their left hand close to their hip and their right hand forward, to give strength to cutting blows.
So on this picture it is Mel Gibson who has become left-handed (unless he wants to use his wooden staff as a club).

[former user]

so, the question is, how authentic is "Braveheart" in depicting both right and left handed people (or even ambidexterous) when handling thick pointy wooden sticks? and why the hell are they wearing blue camouflage body painting? is this an amphibous landing?

[flags_of_war]

"Mel Gibson's "Braveheart" won five Oscars for its tale of William Wallace, a 13th-century Scottish warrior. But how historically accurate is this Hollywood portrayal?"

I think that's an easy one.....IT'S NOT. It's a load of shite!!!

[Patrice]

Hey... If Mel Gibson was holding his pointy stick as he should (with his left hand forward), we would only see his left arm on the pic, not his glorious face and chest. The film-makers know what they are doing.

And the answer to the other question:

Why are they wearing blue camouflage body painting?

Because everyone knows that, historically, 13th century Scottish warriors looked like ancient Picts!

BUT something is still not logical; everyone knows that, historically, ancient Picts looked like this: