Whenever I think of the word "Freedom", my mind would instantly associate with the unforgettable cry of William Wallace (Mel Gibson) just before he was executed by the English soldier in the movie Braveheart. For some reasons, I just love epic war movies and Braveheart is one of the best. It was a hit long (1995) before LOTR and Gladiator.
Although I love the fighting sequences in these films, the parts that I love most are the ones just before a major showdown, when the lead commander would usually rouse his army of warriors with a battle 'speech'. No, these are more than pep-motivational talks. They can influence the morale of the entire army and determine the outcome of the battles. I would love to write more on this someday, but today I'll just copy Braveheart's battle speech here.
Just a brief background. It was a time when the scattered Scottish clans gathered to fight against the English rule, only to discover that the English army was much larger than what they thought. Most of the Scots were not trained for war anyway. Some were too old, others too young. Some were already making their way home upon seeing hopelessness. Prior to that day, most Scots had only heard stories of William Wallace, who fought and won a few skirmishes here and there. Their messiah hero was about to show up and lead them into their first major battle. Then they saw that Wallace was just an ordinary man, just like one of them. What did William Wallace say to them? How did he persuade them to stay to fight the impossible battle? And die for Scotland?
Here's the movie script of the battle at Stirling:
(Battlefield at Stirling. The Scots and English stand prepared on opposite sides.)
Mornay: Well, what news?
Horseman: We're outnumbered, at least 3 to 1.
Mornay: How many horse, then?
Horseman: 300, maybe more.
Mornay: 300 heavy horse?
Lochlan: We must try to negotiate.
Mornay: Who's in command? Did he have a scarlet chevron?
Horseman: Aye, he did.
Craig: We can still negotiate.
Young soldier: What are they talking about?
Veteran soldier: I can't hear, but it doesn't look good. The nobles will
negotiate. If they do a deal, then we go home. And if not, we charge.
Mornay: 300 heavy horse; we have no chance.
(The heavy calvary of the English army appear over the hill and every Scot
becomes scared.)
Young soldier: I didn't come here to fight so they can own more lands;
then I have to work for them.
Veteran soldier: Nor me. Alright lads. I'm not dying for these bastards!
Lets go home.
(The two Scots turn and start to leave the field and several others
join them.)
Lochlan: (In desperation) Stop men. Do not flee. Wait until
we've negotiated.
(William and his men into the scene. William's face is painted solid
blue except for a sharp wedge of bare flesh pointing down over his
left eye.)
Young soldier: William Wallace?
Veteran soldier: Can't be. Not tall enough.
(William and his men ride up to the nobles.)
Stephen: The Almighty says this must be a fashionable fight. It's
drawn the finest people.
Lochlan (To William): Where is thy salute?
William: For presenting yourselves on this battlefield, I give you
thanks.
Lochlan: This is our army. To join it you give homage.
William: I give homage to Scotland. And if this is your army, why does
it go?
Veteran soldier: We didn't come here to fight for them.
Young soldier: Home. The English are too many.
William: Sons of Scotland, I am William Wallace.
Young soldier: William Wallace is 7 feet tall.
William: Yes, I've heard. He kills men by the hundreds, and if he were
here he'd consume the English with fireballs from his eyes and bolts
of lightning from his arse. I am William Wallace, and I see a whole
army of my countrymen here in defiance of tyranny. You have come
to fight as free men, and free men you are. What will you do with
that freedom? Will you fight?
Veteran soldier: Fight against that? No, we will run, and we will live.
William: Aye, fight and you may die, run and you'll live. At least a while.
And dying in your beds many years from now, would you be willing to
trade all the days from this day to that for one chance, just one
chance to come back here and tell our enemies that they may take
our lives, but they'll never take our freedom?! Alba gu bra!(Scotland
forever!)
(The Scots cheer "Alba gu bra" repeatedly)You can also view the video clip of the scene here (recommended especially if you've not watch the film).
That battle sequence that followed is one of my all-time favourites. Yes, including the naked Scottish butts! You can also search in YouTube for Wallace's torturing-dying scene where he yelled "Freedom!" instead of "mercy".
Question of the Day:
Would people trade everything they have for a shot (no guarantees) for what they truly want?
Would you?
It's interesting that Wallace didn't guarantee freedom (though he saw it as the vision for their future), but a chance to fight for it.Wallace showed both conviction (truth, in advance) and courage (spirit) as a warrior leader (may I also add sense of humour, very handy to diffuse and disarm tense situations). Both these qualities must exist together, one is useless without the other.
I came to realise that most people would not give anything to fight even if the victory is guaranteed. Therefore it's not about what's guaranteed and what's not, it's really about both convictions and courage.
You can't say you value something without paying a price for it. And you can't say you're truly brave without knowing what you're really in. It's true that many are hurt and beaten up even before the battle begin, and that may be true for you. Of course there will be those who spread lies, after all they're called liars, are they not? Lies only function as clouds that block the sunlight (truths) for a while, not to hold its unbearable glory that will soon break forth and tear the dark sky apart. And of course the odds are stacked against you, they have to and they always will be, that's why they're called the odds! A war is never a numbers game, it belongs to those who would write stories with convictions and courage. Not to make a name for themselves but for what's most important.
What would you answer to Wallace's question: "What would you do with that freedom?"
Happy Merdeka Day!
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