Outlaw King is finally getting the wide recognition it deserves, with particular props in order for how the movie portrays the famous Battle of Loudoun Hill (1307). Directed by David Mackenzie, Netflix’s historical drama stars Chris Pine as Robert the Bruce, the King of Scots who led his people in the First Scottish War of Independence against King Edward I of England (Stephen Dillane). The movie’s ensemble cast features more familiar faces who deliver some powerful performances, including Florence Pugh (as Elizabeth de Burgh) and Tony Curran (as Angus Og MacDonald).
Netflix offers its subscribers top-tier original content, especially in historical dramas. The King (2019) is one of the streaming services’ standout titles. It’s been over seven years since Outlaw King’s release, and although the movie didn’t make a big splash upon release, Bruce’s story and quest for Scottish independence are back in the limelight. Mackenzie’s historical drama is another must-watch, from its solid performances to its terrifyingly violent portrayal of desperate victory.
Outlaw King’s Battle of Loudoun Hill Is Graphically Violent
Outlaw King castImage via Netflix
Outlaw King does not shy away from violence; in fact, it thrives on it. By the time the movie reaches its climactic Battle of Loudoun Hill, viewers have already experienced enough graphic content, including nudity and profanity, to last some people a while. The movie’s conflict is one of those cinematic battles that starts on a relatively quiet note, but as soon as the two opposing forces meet, the bloodshed seems never-ending.
In just a few minutes, the Battle of Loudoun Hill portrays non-stop gore. Soldiers die at an alarming rate, blood sprays everywhere, the sounds of weaponry hitting their targets are loud, and the wails of horses meeting their unfortunate deaths raise the unpleasant feelings that brew from watching everything play out.
Outlaw King‘s depiction of the Battle of Loudoun Hill is difficult to stomach, but it portrays the Scots’ bravery, courage, and dedication perfectly. From the moment the battle starts, the Scots, with the knowledge that their freedom hangs in a delicate balance, fight with a level of fierceness that many war movies don’t exactly lack, but certainly don’t match in intensity.
Bruce’s decision to fight alongside his people is an admirable one that many kings wouldn’t dare to undertake. Though the movie’s battle isn’t terribly long, the pure exhaustion and fear everyone experiences are palpable on their faces and in their movements.
Chris Pine’s Robert the Bruce Uses Trench Warfare
Robert the Bruce (Chris Pine) is wearing medieval armor in Outlaw King.Image via Netflix
Robert the Bruce is an interesting historical figure, to say the least. Chris Pine’s portrayal is still one of the best interpretations of the King of Scots seven years later. Still, the best way to fully see how influential and dynamic Bruce was during his lifetime is through reading written works about him, not just watching him come to life on-screen.
Between his personal family ties, initial allegiance to Edward I, and successful time in hiding after ascending the Scottish throne, Bruce lived an extremely full life. While it was marked by a lot of conflict, there were also quite a few legendary successes.
Out of everything Bruce says and does throughout Outlaw King, one of the character’s smartest decisions is the tactical decision to create spike-filled trenches, knowing that the English would be the ones advancing. At the Battle of Loudoun Hill, Bruce and his army entice the English perfectly by initially standing in front of trenches, keeping them out of sight without making their plan obvious.
As the opposing army approaches, the Scots retreat behind the line at the last second. This move throws off the English immediately, with horses falling over and soldiers getting impaled within seconds. Bruce’s trench warfare is a classic example of how to beat enemies through logic rather than just with weapons.
Outlaw King Significantly Changes the Battle of Loudoun Hill
Outlaw King posterImage via Netflix
As far as historical accuracy goes, Outlaw King generally retells Bruce’s story correctly, albeit the timeline is dramatically condensed to fit as much as possible into a standard movie. Edward I’s Siege of Stirling Castle did feature the large and in-charge Warwolf, though Bruce’s rebellion didn’t start immediately after William Wallace’s death, as the movie implies.
The narrative includes James Douglas (Aaron Taylor-Johnson) and his purpose with surprising accuracy. However, the infamous death of John Comyn (Callan Mulvey) is generally rushed and rather ambiguous, despite the event’s influence on Bruce’s reign.
When it comes to the Battle of Loudoun Hill, however, Outlaw King takes some incredibly bold liberties that dramatize the legendary conflict extensively, although the physical combat is on the nose. The most obvious change that the movie makes includes a one-on-one duel between Bruce and Edward II (Billy Howle).
While Bruce’s victory is admirable, Edward II was not involved in the Battle of Loundon Hill in real life. The wooden spikes used to defeat the English are an essential part of the movie’s violence. Still, in reality, the trenches were effective without any additional stakes placed inside them. While Outlaw King doesn’t replicate the Battle of Loudoun Hill to a tee, it certainly packs a punch.
Release Date
November 9, 2018
Runtime
137 Minutes
Director
David Mackenzie
Writers
David Mackenzie, James MacInnes, Bathsheba Doran, Mark Bomback, David Harrower
