Theater is not history.
I would, and will, argue that just about every rousing speech on a battlefield or in a locker room draws on the St. Crispin’s Day speech. It is a cultural touchstone. From “win one for the Gipper” to Bill Pullman’s speech in “Independence Day,” They all draw water from the same well. The best depiction of WWII combat, “Band of Brothers,” takes its name directly from Shakespeare.
So, yeah. Mel Gibson’s speech in “Braveheart” was influenced by the St. Crispin’s Day speech. Because it changed the dialogue for the English-speaking world. The relevant question isn’t when the battle occurred — it’s when the script was written.
Theater is not history.
I would, and will, argue that just about every rousing speech on a battlefield or in a locker room draws on the St. Crispin’s Day speech. It is a cultural touchstone. From “win one for the Gipper” to Bill Pullman’s speech in “Independence Day,” They all draw water from the same well. The best depiction of WWII combat, “Band of Brothers,” takes its name directly from Shakespeare.
So, yeah. Mel Gibson’s speech in “Braveheart” was influenced by the St. Crispin’s Day speech. Because it changed the dialogue for the English-speaking world. The relevant question isn’t when the battle occurred — it’s when the script was written.
I said it looked like the Battle of Agincourt.
In Agincourt, Henry had his archers carve 8 foot poles into long spikes to impale the French cavalry as they charged into his ranks.
In Braveheart, William Wallace (Mel Gibson) ordered his men to carve tree trunks into long spikes to impale the English cavalry as they charged into his ranks.
Maybe it's just me, but it seemed like there was a similarity there.