The candidate analyzes how the film Braveheart constructs representations of the English and Scottish through its use of mise en scene, soundtrack, and plot devices. Specifically, the Scots are portrayed as natural, emotional, and victims, while the English are shown as artificial, stiff, and villains through their costumes, settings, and roles in major events like Murron's death. These techniques successfully shaped the candidate's views to dislike the English and sympathize with the Scots during viewing.

1. Candidate 6
Choose a film which contains a sequence of great power, excitement or tension. Briefly
explain the context of the sequence in the film as a whole and go on to show how the effect is
created. You should refer in your answer to mise en scene and soundtrack.
In the film Braveheart one of the most exciting scenes is that of the Battle of Stirling. This is
an extremely long scene, this being because it is the first battle and there is a need to show the
audience the details here, so they won’t all need to be shown in the later battles. (Also
because it is famous and the turning point of Wallace’s fortunes).
The Scottish army has arrived – assembled by the nobles – but the intention is not to fight,
but to negotiate. The English army arrives, and the Scots are overwhelmed by the sheer
numbers. They turn to go. While the nobles try to convince them to stay, Wallace arrives
with his men, rallies the army together. The nobles then go to discuss King Edward’s terms
with the leaders of the English army. Wallace goes with them and proceeds to humiliate the
English until there are no options left but to fight. The battle is then fought and won by the
Scots.
The different emotions that appear in this scene are mirrored by the soundtrack which is,
therefore, a key element to the effect of the scene as a whole.
When we first see the Scots army, there is no music. This has been done purposely, as there
is nothing happening. Also the lack of music is itself building tension, as music hints at what
will happen, so here we have no idea what will happen. The music begins when the English
begin to appear, although we are still allowed to hear the marching feet and hooves and the
rattle of their mail. The music is ominous and as we see the Scots looks of concern. The
music tells us also what they are feeling. The next significant moment when music is used is
when Wallace arrives. This is the first time we hear this tune and it is proud music with the
Scottish influences dominating it. Suddenly we have a feeling that everything will be all
right. As Wallace goes on to deliver his speech, the music rises and falls with the emotions
he is showing: anger, Passion, his love of his country. The music reaches its peak when they
all come together and in one unanimous voice decide to fight. There is a break in the music
here, until they prepare to fight. This is because when they are discussing the king’s terms
the dialogue is very important, so we must not be distracted by the music.
The music resumes when Wallace joins his men and they mentally prepare to fight. At this
point there is a single drumbeat. This shows the total silence and concentration of each man
and represents one heartbeat which they all share. This goes on for some time and the tension
mounts, until the Scots let out a war cry and the Scottish bagpipes begin. Previously Irish
bagpipes were used as their sound is less harsh than Scottish bagpipes, but for the battle scene
the Scottish are more appropriate, because they are harsh. The English fire their arrows,
some Scots are killed, but the cry and music resumes. The English now send their horsemen
(cavalry) in and this is where the real tension begins. As the horses get closer and closer, the
short sharp repeated tune on the violins begins. This is completely different to anything in
the whole film, because the scene is different. The battle begins and there is no music. This
is so we can see and hear the fighting. The music resumes when the Scots realise they have
won and they let out a resounding cheer as the same music which was played when Wallace

2. first arrives is played. The use of the same piece of music links the two bits together.
Wallace at first is the only believer and at the end they are all believers.
The mise en scene also contributes massively to this scene and works with the music to create
the overall effect. The shots of the Scots soldiers, where the camera is running down the
front row helps to personalise the Scots. We see many different faces all wearing the same
expression. In contrast when the English arrive, we are only given shots of the leaders’ faces.
Their soldiers are also going to die, but it doesn’t matter. We don’t see them as individuals,
but as a group who obey the villains.
When Wallace arrives he comes over a hill, he is also on a horse which makes him appear
bigger than everyone else. The close–ups of his face here show his confidence and
determination. The fascinating thing about his speech is the horse’s movements. They seem
to reflect his emotion. When Wallace’s speech rises the horse runs. This is also apparent
when he goes with the nobles to talk with the English. He himself is agitated, as is his horse
and he is menacing. When he returns to his men we again see lots of faces. All these men
are prepared to give their lives, we feel their fear.
Mel Gibson’s use of horses in this film is very interesting. When the cavalry approach we
see the horses’ hooves and heads in slow motion. They stay in slow motion until they
become nearer to the Scots. Now they are moving at normal speed and there follows a
barrage of different shot: behind the English, looking at the Scots and vice versa, English
faces, Scots faces, horses’ hooves, hand held shots as if the camera were attached to the horse
and there is a shot reverse shot zoom between the English and Wallace’s face. When the
fighting begins the camera moves quickly to show the confusion of the scene.
When it is all over we see the shot of Wallace’s face against a pure blue sky. This has been
used earlier on and will be used again. This last look at Wallace against the sky is the last
shot in the scene and shows the contrast of the music – proud and good – to the mise en scene
– savage, but these work together to give us the overall image of Wallace, and is a good
example of how music and mise en scene work together in film.

3. Assessment commentary on candidate 6
Understanding
This candidate is not concerned with the discourses of the text, as they have not been asked
for in the question. Rather she has got to grips with the language of the sound as it has
constructed the battle at Stirling. Her understanding of how the film aurally has been
constructed is quite clear. She has then gone on to deal with the meaning of the camera shots.
Analysis
She has explained how the techniques have worked, and supported them with evidence from
the text. She does for example explain how the ominous music builds the atmosphere at
Stirling, and then how it changes to prepare for Mel Gibson’s pre battle speech. She also
understand how the music combines with the mise en scene, and says so specifically ‘The
mise en scene also contributes massively to his scene and works well with the music’ to
create the overall effect. ‘The use of the close–ups personalise the Scots, unlike the shots of
the English’. There is sufficient detail here to meet the requirement of an indicator of
excellence.
Evaluation
An enjoyment of the film is clear underneath the prose. She has not stated her pleasure
specifically, but rather implied it in ‘suddenly we have a feeling that everything will be all
right’ as well as in the raciness of her writing. She does not go beyond this to evaluate the
skill of the film making.
Expression
Her line of thinking is clear, and the connection between the two strands of thinking is also
clear. She has an understanding of the language of the film, but is thin on the nomenclature
or the detail of the actual types of shots. There is more could be said about the use of the pan,
the zoom etc in this scene. HOWEVER, THE QUESTION HAS NOT ASKED FOR THIS.
Furthermore there is no conclusion to round off the essay.
The analysis and awareness of techniques rise above pass level.
Higher – Grade B.

4. Candidate 5
Choose a text which represents a group in society in a way which affected your views. By
closely referring to the text, explain how these representations were constructed and why they
changed your views.
Having known very little about the history of Scotland the film Braveheart was an
opportunity to learn something. There are many groups within this film but it is the
representation of both the English and the Scottish which I find most interesting.
The opening shots of Scotland are very stereotypical: rolling hills, mist, clear waters. The
fact that a pan shot is used here indicates the land is seen from a bird’s view – this represents
freedom. The music is spiritual which then moves into a proud theme which is used at
certain points throughout the film so right away we feel quite emotionally involved with
Scotland. In the next scene this theme is developed. The music becomes ominous and
Bruce’s voice is heard (although we do not know it is his voice at this point). We are told
that English historians will deny what their Scottish counterparts say, but ‘history is written
by those who have hanged heroes’. This make us dislike the English immediately.
When we first see the Scottish people it is apparent that they belong to Scotland, the earth,
where they are. Their clothing is coloured very naturally. They are not well groomed,
although they are still attractive. The montage of Wallace leaving Scotland as a boy and the
wedding of the English prince and French princess helps to build this contrast of the way they
each look. The English are dressed in very colourful clothes, are clean – too clean – they
have many manicured haircuts and are very stiff. The music used for their first appearance is
a mass which is very long winded: not at all light hearted.
This wedding is held in contrast with the two Scottish weddings that follow which are full of
emotion. This is just one of the situations which is paralleled during the film. The funeral of
Wallace’s father and Murrin is also a parallel. They are used as contrast or as a
reinforcement of a point, always however making the Scots look good and the English bad.
The plot itself gives the biggest representation of the Scots and English. From the beginning
we feel sorry for Wallace (because of the death of his father) so we are more likely to be
drawn to him when he returns. We learn of his simple intentions and watch in horror as they
fall apart, beginning with the death of Murrin. Her death is the fault of an English soldier
who is physically repulsive to reflect his nasty character. He is yet another reason to dislike
the English.
The first stand is made – and won – by the Scots, and although Wallace is extremely brutal,
we can understand why because his relationship with Murrin was so intense.The actions
taken by the English king are equally as brutal, although we cannot excuse him, as we see no
sorrow in his life. The order of prima nocte, the intimidation towards his son, the suggestions
made towards the princess and the death of Philip the prince’s ‘friend’ all make him a
thoroughly dislikeable character, and as he is leader of the English, they become the enemy.
So by using all of these techniques the representation of the Scots versus the English is made
clear. In the time setting of the film, I came away disliking all the English and liking most of
the Scots. This is what the film set out to do and it successfully achieved it.

5. Assessment commentary on candidate 5
Understanding
This candidate has a grasp that the drift of this film is setting up the Scots as good, and the
English as bad. It is rather too simplistic however. She has not come to grips with the role of
young Bruce, which is vital to an understanding of the deeper levels of this film. There are
plenty of textual references to support her simplistic stance but there is no real depth.
Furthermore much of it is content only.
Analysis
There is very little serious analysis in this script. There are some reference to how meaning is
made by the music, the mise en scene, and the camera work. However the analysis of how
the meaning is made is almost non–existent: (she does explain the pan shot of the Highlands,
but does not go beyond that).
Evaluation
There is little evidence of a personal stance or critical approach beyond the opening
paragraph, nor is there any evaluation of the film techniques.
Expression
There is a line of thinking, but it is very thin. The use of critical terminology is likewise thin.
She has explained how mise en scene works, but has failed to use this term.
The essay is technically fair, but the writing lacks style.
Intermediate 2 – Fail