Outlaw King, 2018

Outlaw King is a 2018 historical action drama film, co-written, produced, and directed by David Mackenzie. Chris Pine stars as Scottish king Robert the Bruce during the Scottish Wars of Independence in 1304–07. The ensemble cast also features Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Florence Pugh, Billy Howle, Sam Spruell, Tony Curran, Callan Mulvey, James Cosmo and Stephen Dillane.

Trailer

PLOT

In 1304, outside the besieged Stirling Castle, John Comyn, Robert Bruce and their allies surrender to Edward I of England and pay him their homage.  Afterwards, Bruce spars with the king's son, Edward, Prince of Wales, whom he had known as a child (their fathers becoming friends whilst fighting on crusade in the Holy Land). 

A widower, he is betrothed to the king's goddaughter, Elizabeth de Burgh. Lord James Douglas arrives, asking for the restoration of his ancestral lands, but is denied on the grounds that his father Lord Douglas committed treason. The King and Prince depart Scotland, with Bruce and Comyn acting as their vassals under the supervision of the Earl of Pembroke, Aymer de Valence.  

Robert marries Elizabeth but respectfully delays the consummation. Elizabeth is, however, an increasingly important presence in the life of Robert's daughter, Marjorie. Not long after, his father, the Lord of Annandale, dies, fearing his friendship with the King of England may have been an error.  

Soon after, while delivering tax monies to the English, Bruce notes their unpopularity. Rioting ensues when news of the rebel William Wallace's execution reaches Scotland. Bruce decides to organize another rebellion with the support of his family, including Elizabeth. He meets Comyn in a church, trying to persuade him to join the rebellion but as Comyn threatens to inform Edward, Bruce kills him. 

The Scottish clergy offers Bruce absolution for serving the English and supports Bruce's bid for the crown of Scotland if he supports the Catholic Church. King Edward declares Bruce an outlaw and orders the Prince of Wales to suppress his uprising, with instructions that no quarter is to be shown to any Bruce supporter.  

Calling a council of nobles, most refuse to break their oaths to Edward. Despite the lack of support, Bruce heads to Scone to be crowned king of the Scots. On the way, Douglas pledges his allegiance. 

The ambitious de Valence, brother-in-law to Comyn, tries to move against Bruce before the Prince arrives. To avoid bloodshed, he challenges de Valence to single combat, who accepts but delays the duel a day, as it is Sunday. 

That night, Bruce and Elizabeth finally consummate their marriage, but the English launch a surprise attack. Elizabeth and Marjorie Bruce are sent to safety with his brother Nigel, and he fights a losing battle, during which most of the Scottish army is killed. Escaping with fifty men, they flee to Islay. 

On the way, John MacDougall parleys with them, bitter about the murder of his cousin Comyn but allows them to pass. Later, however, he attacks Bruce as his party attempts to cross Loch Ryan. Some get away in boats, but Bruce's brother Alexander dies.  

Prince Edward arrives in Scotland, searching for Bruce at Kildrummy Castle, only to find Bruce's wife, daughter, and brother. The prince has Nigel hanged, drawn, and quartered, and sends Marjorie and Elizabeth into captivity in England. Bruce's band presses on to Islay anyway; there, they learn of the fall of Kildrummy Castle. 

Bruce decides to take back the castle through stealth. The successful operation inspires him to utilize guerilla warfare against the more powerful English. Shortly thereafter, Robert the Bruce is reunited with his only surviving brother, Edward. In England, Elizabeth learns that Marjorie has been sent to a nunnery by King Edward. 

After Edward hears Douglas Castle has been re-taken, he goes after Bruce himself. Edward offers amnesty to Elizabeth if she renounces her marriage, but she refuses and is put in a hanging cage.  King Edward I dies shortly after arriving in Scotland, and his son takes over his forces. Bruce fights the new king in a pitched battle at Loudoun Hill, despite being outnumbered six to one. 

As Edward II's army is composed almost entirely of cavalry, Robert overcomes his army's size disadvantage in the battle with a spear wall hidden by a ditch. 

Attempting to attack the flanks, horsemen become bogged down in the mud, as anticipated. The English knights fall from their horses, many are slain, and the battle becomes an open brawl, where the Scots prevail over the disoriented English soldiers, with James killing the noble to whom King Edward had granted his family's lands. 

Realising the battle is hopeless, de Valence orders a retreat. However, determined to kill his nemesis, Edward II does not join them. Instead, he duels Bruce as the Scots look on. Edward is outmatched, and realising he is about to be slain, he vomits in fear and cries for help. Bruce prevails, allowing Edward II to leave unarmed.  

Rating: 10 Stars