Tired of running and hiding from his English oppressors, Robert the Bruce (Chris Pine) uses the unforgiving land and unpredictable weather of Scotland to his advantage in a muddy and bloody battle at the foot of Loudoun Hill in which despite being vastly outnumbered five to one results in an unlikely victory.

One of two standout scenes which bookend director David Mackenzie’s (Hell or High Water, Starred Up) engaging slow-burner. The other being a lengthy one-shot near the beginning – shortly after a close up of a flickering candle symbolising the brevity of power and how vulnerable rulers are to the winds of change – which skilfully introduces the main protagonists and their fraught relationships.

Namely, the ageing but ruthless Edward I (Stephen Dillane) who like his loyal subjects and fierce foes thinks little of his cocky son and heir to the throne Edward, Prince of Wales (Billy Howle); two warring Scottish noblemen, Bruce and John Comyn III (Callan Mulvey), who reluctantly agree to bury their differences and unite behind the King; and a portend of the final battle in which the Prince of Wales goads Robert to cross swords.

In between, however, the pace is more a steady stride than a march to battle; the plotting is episodic, a volley of thrown stones skirting the surface water; the performances are subdued, including Pine’s, who though captivating throughout alternates between intense and frenzied; and despite a tender relationship between Bruce and his second wife Elizabeth de Burgh (Florence Pugh), passions are seldom stirred.

Still, a classy retelling of a key moment in Scottish history which is refreshingly absent of Hollywood hokum; as far from Braveheart as Theresa May is from strong and stable; and visually stunning thanks to the cinematography of Barry Ackroyd (Captain Phillips, The Big Short) who captures the rugged and beautiful landscape to a Visit Scotland-pleasing tee.

Director: David Mackenzie
Writers: Bathsheba Doran (screenplay by) (as Bash Doran), David Mackenzie (screenplay by)
Stars: Chris Pine, Stephen Dillane, Rebecca Robin
Peter Callaghan
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