Braveheart Quotes
When his secret bride is executed for assaulting an English soldier who tried to rape her, William Wallace begins a revolt and leads Scottish warriors against the cruel English tyrant who rules Scotland with an iron fist.
William Wallace: And if this is your army, why does it go?
Veteran: We didn't come here to fight for them!
Young Soldier: Home! The English are too many!
William Wallace: Sons of Scotland! I am William Wallace.
Young Soldier: William Wallace is seven feet tall!
William Wallace: Yes, I've heard. 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.
[Scottish army laughs]
William Wallace: I *am* William Wallace! And I see a whole army of my countrymen, here in defiance of tyranny. You've come to fight as free men... and free men you are. What will you do with that freedom? Will you fight?
Veteran: Fight? Against that? No! We will run. And we will live.
William Wallace: 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 willin' 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!
[Scottish army cheers]
William Wallace: Alba gu bràth!
["Scotland forever!"]
Army: ALBA GU BRÀTH! ALBA GU BRÀTH! ALBA GU BRÀTH!
Veteran: We didn't come here to fight for them!
Young Soldier: Home! The English are too many!
William Wallace: Sons of Scotland! I am William Wallace.
Young Soldier: William Wallace is seven feet tall!
William Wallace: Yes, I've heard. 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.
[Scottish army laughs]
William Wallace: I *am* William Wallace! And I see a whole army of my countrymen, here in defiance of tyranny. You've come to fight as free men... and free men you are. What will you do with that freedom? Will you fight?
Veteran: Fight? Against that? No! We will run. And we will live.
William Wallace: 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 willin' 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!
[Scottish army cheers]
William Wallace: Alba gu bràth!
["Scotland forever!"]
Army: ALBA GU BRÀTH! ALBA GU BRÀTH! ALBA GU BRÀTH!
Murron: You're going to teach me to read, then?
William Wallace: Aye, if you'd like.
Murron: Aye!
William Wallace: In what language?
Murron: Ah, you're showing off now.
William Wallace: That's right. Are you impressed yet?
Murron: No. Why? Should I be?
William Wallace: Oui. Parce que chaque jour j'ai pensé à toi.
[Yes. Because every single day I've thought about you]
Murron: [hesitates, impressed despite herself, then smiles] Do that standing on your head and I'll be impressed.
William Wallace: Well, my kilt will fly up, but I'll try.
William Wallace: Aye, if you'd like.
Murron: Aye!
William Wallace: In what language?
Murron: Ah, you're showing off now.
William Wallace: That's right. Are you impressed yet?
Murron: No. Why? Should I be?
William Wallace: Oui. Parce que chaque jour j'ai pensé à toi.
[Yes. Because every single day I've thought about you]
Murron: [hesitates, impressed despite herself, then smiles] Do that standing on your head and I'll be impressed.
William Wallace: Well, my kilt will fly up, but I'll try.
Robert the Bruce: Lands, titles, men, power, nothing.
Robert's Father: Nothing?
Robert the Bruce: I have nothing. Men fight for me because if they do not, I throw them off my land and I starve their wives and their children. Those men who bled the ground red at Falkirk, they fought for William Wallace, and he fights for something that I never had. And I took it from him, when I betrayed him. I saw it in his face on the battlefield and it's tearing me apart.
Robert's Father: All men betray. All lose heart.
Robert the Bruce: I don't want to lose heart. I want to believe as he does.
Robert's Father: Nothing?
Robert the Bruce: I have nothing. Men fight for me because if they do not, I throw them off my land and I starve their wives and their children. Those men who bled the ground red at Falkirk, they fought for William Wallace, and he fights for something that I never had. And I took it from him, when I betrayed him. I saw it in his face on the battlefield and it's tearing me apart.
Robert's Father: All men betray. All lose heart.
Robert the Bruce: I don't want to lose heart. I want to believe as he does.
Princess Isabelle: The king desires peace.
William Wallace: Longshanks desires peace?
Princess Isabelle: He declares it to me, I swear it. He proposes that you withdraw your attack. In return he grants you title, estates, and this chest of gold which I am to pay to you personally.
William Wallace: A lordship and titles. Gold. That I should become Judas?
Princess Isabelle: Peace is made in such ways.
William Wallace: Slaves are made in such ways. The last time Longshanks spoke of peace I was a boy. And many Scottish nobles, who would not be slaves, were lured by him under a flag of truce to a barn, where he had them hanged. I was very young, but I remember Longshanks' notion of peace.
William Wallace: Longshanks desires peace?
Princess Isabelle: He declares it to me, I swear it. He proposes that you withdraw your attack. In return he grants you title, estates, and this chest of gold which I am to pay to you personally.
William Wallace: A lordship and titles. Gold. That I should become Judas?
Princess Isabelle: Peace is made in such ways.
William Wallace: Slaves are made in such ways. The last time Longshanks spoke of peace I was a boy. And many Scottish nobles, who would not be slaves, were lured by him under a flag of truce to a barn, where he had them hanged. I was very young, but I remember Longshanks' notion of peace.
Princess Isabelle: I understand you have suffered. I know... about your woman.
William Wallace: [pauses] She was my wife. We married in secret because I would not share her with an English lord. They killed her to get to me. I've never spoken of it, I don't know why I tell you now, except... I see her strength in you. One day, you'll be a queen. And you must open your eyes. You tell your king that William Wallace will *not* be ruled... and nor will any Scot while I live.
William Wallace: [pauses] She was my wife. We married in secret because I would not share her with an English lord. They killed her to get to me. I've never spoken of it, I don't know why I tell you now, except... I see her strength in you. One day, you'll be a queen. And you must open your eyes. You tell your king that William Wallace will *not* be ruled... and nor will any Scot while I live.
Guard: Volunteers comin' in!
Faudron: [kneels] William Wallace, we've come to fight and to die for you.
William Wallace: Stand up, man, I'm not the Pope.
Faudron: [smiles and stands] My name is Faudron. My sword is yours. I brought you this.
[reaches for something, Hamish tries to stop him]
Guard: We checked 'em for arms.
Faudron: I brought you this.
[pulls out a sash]
Faudron: My wife made it for you.
William Wallace: Thank you.
Stephen: [starts laughing] Him? That can't be William Wallace. I'm *prettier* than this man!
[to the sky]
Stephen: Alright, Father, I'll ask him.
[to William]
Stephen: If I risk my neck for you, will I get a chance to kill Englishmen?
Hamish: Is your father a ghost, or do you converse with the Almighty?
Stephen: In order to find his equal, an Irishman is forced to talk to God.
[to the sky]
Stephen: Yes, Father!
[to Hamish]
Stephen: The Almight says, "Don't change the subject, just answer the fuckin' question."
Hamish: Mind your tongue.
Campbell: Insane Irish.
Stephen: [draws a dagger on Campbell; everyone draws weapons] Smart enough to get a dagger past your guards, old man.
William Wallace: That's my friend, Irishman. And the answer to your question is "yes". You fight for me, you get to kill the English.
Stephen: [grins] Excellent!
[removes his dagger]
Stephen: Stephen is my name. I the most wanted man on my island, except I'm not on my island, of course. More's the pity.
Hamish: "Your island"? You mean Ireland?
Stephen: Yeah. It's mine.
Hamish: You're a madman.
Stephen: [nods and starts laughing, then Hamish does as well] I've come to the right place, then.
Faudron: [kneels] William Wallace, we've come to fight and to die for you.
William Wallace: Stand up, man, I'm not the Pope.
Faudron: [smiles and stands] My name is Faudron. My sword is yours. I brought you this.
[reaches for something, Hamish tries to stop him]
Guard: We checked 'em for arms.
Faudron: I brought you this.
[pulls out a sash]
Faudron: My wife made it for you.
William Wallace: Thank you.
Stephen: [starts laughing] Him? That can't be William Wallace. I'm *prettier* than this man!
[to the sky]
Stephen: Alright, Father, I'll ask him.
[to William]
Stephen: If I risk my neck for you, will I get a chance to kill Englishmen?
Hamish: Is your father a ghost, or do you converse with the Almighty?
Stephen: In order to find his equal, an Irishman is forced to talk to God.
[to the sky]
Stephen: Yes, Father!
[to Hamish]
Stephen: The Almight says, "Don't change the subject, just answer the fuckin' question."
Hamish: Mind your tongue.
Campbell: Insane Irish.
Stephen: [draws a dagger on Campbell; everyone draws weapons] Smart enough to get a dagger past your guards, old man.
William Wallace: That's my friend, Irishman. And the answer to your question is "yes". You fight for me, you get to kill the English.
Stephen: [grins] Excellent!
[removes his dagger]
Stephen: Stephen is my name. I the most wanted man on my island, except I'm not on my island, of course. More's the pity.
Hamish: "Your island"? You mean Ireland?
Stephen: Yeah. It's mine.
Hamish: You're a madman.
Stephen: [nods and starts laughing, then Hamish does as well] I've come to the right place, then.
Robert the Bruce: I'm not a coward. I want what you want, but we need the nobles.
William Wallace: We need them?
Robert the Bruce: Aye.
William Wallace: Nobles.
[laughs a little]
William Wallace: Now tell me, what does that mean to be noble? Your title gives you claim to the throne of our country, but men don't follow titles, they follow courage. Now our people know you. Noble, and common, they respect you. And if you would just lead them to freedom, they'd follow you. And so would I
William Wallace: We need them?
Robert the Bruce: Aye.
William Wallace: Nobles.
[laughs a little]
William Wallace: Now tell me, what does that mean to be noble? Your title gives you claim to the throne of our country, but men don't follow titles, they follow courage. Now our people know you. Noble, and common, they respect you. And if you would just lead them to freedom, they'd follow you. And so would I
[first lines]
Narrator: I shall tell you of William Wallace. Historians from England will say I am a liar, but history is written by those who have hanged heroes. The king of Scotland had died without a son, and the king of England, a cruel pagan known as Edward the Longshanks, claimed the throne of Scotland for himself. Scotland's nobles fought him, and fought each other, over the crown. So Longshanks invited them to talks of truce - no weapons, one page only. Among the farmers of that shire was Malcolm Wallace, a commoner with his own lands; he had two sons, John and William.
Malcolm Wallace: I told ye to stay.
Young William: Well, I finished my work. Where're we goin'?
Malcolm Wallace: McAndrews'. He was supposed to visit when the gatherin' was over.
Young William: Can I come?
Malcolm Wallace: No! Go home, boy.
Young William: But I want to go.
Malcolm Wallace: Go home, William, or you'll feel the back o' my hand.
Narrator: I shall tell you of William Wallace. Historians from England will say I am a liar, but history is written by those who have hanged heroes. The king of Scotland had died without a son, and the king of England, a cruel pagan known as Edward the Longshanks, claimed the throne of Scotland for himself. Scotland's nobles fought him, and fought each other, over the crown. So Longshanks invited them to talks of truce - no weapons, one page only. Among the farmers of that shire was Malcolm Wallace, a commoner with his own lands; he had two sons, John and William.
Malcolm Wallace: I told ye to stay.
Young William: Well, I finished my work. Where're we goin'?
Malcolm Wallace: McAndrews'. He was supposed to visit when the gatherin' was over.
Young William: Can I come?
Malcolm Wallace: No! Go home, boy.
Young William: But I want to go.
Malcolm Wallace: Go home, William, or you'll feel the back o' my hand.
[Lord Bottoms had claimed the right of Prima Nocte and raped Morrison's bride on the first night of their marriage]
Morrison: Do you remember me?
Lord Bottoms: [scared] I never did her any harm. It was my right!
Morrison: Your right? Well, I'm here to claim the right of a husband!
[kills Lord Bottoms]
Morrison: Do you remember me?
Lord Bottoms: [scared] I never did her any harm. It was my right!
Morrison: Your right? Well, I'm here to claim the right of a husband!
[kills Lord Bottoms]
King's Advisor: [to Princess] Sanguinarius homo indomitus est, et se me dite cum mendacia.
[He is a bloody murdering savage. And he's telling lies]
William Wallace: Ego nunquam pronunciari mendacium! Sed ego sum homo indomitus.
[I never lie. But I am a savage]
William Wallace: [to Princess] Ou en français, si vous préférez?
[Or in French if you prefer?]
[He is a bloody murdering savage. And he's telling lies]
William Wallace: Ego nunquam pronunciari mendacium! Sed ego sum homo indomitus.
[I never lie. But I am a savage]
William Wallace: [to Princess] Ou en français, si vous préférez?
[Or in French if you prefer?]
Longshanks: Who is this person who speaks to me as though I needed his advice?
Prince Edward: I have declared Phillip my high counselor.
Longshanks: Is he qualified?
Phillip: I am skilled in the arts of war and military tactics, Sire.
Longshanks: Are you? Then tell me, what advice would you offer on the present situation?
Prince Edward: I have declared Phillip my high counselor.
Longshanks: Is he qualified?
Phillip: I am skilled in the arts of war and military tactics, Sire.
Longshanks: Are you? Then tell me, what advice would you offer on the present situation?
Robert the Bruce: [Robert the Bruce is visiting his leper father] Father?
Robert's Father: Ah, come in. Come in.
Robert the Bruce: A rebellion has begun.
Robert's Father: [pause] Under whom?
Robert the Bruce: A commoner... named William Wallace.
Robert's Father: [another pause] You will embrace this rebellion. Support it from our lands in the north. I will gain English favor by condemning it and ordering opposed from our lands in the south. Sit down. Stay awhile.
Robert the Bruce: This Wallace... he doesn't even have a knighthood. But he *fights*, with *passion*, and he *inspires*.
Robert's Father: [laughing] And you wish to charge off and fight as he did, eh?
[Robert nods slightly]
Robert's Father: So would I, eh?
[he laughs again]
Robert the Bruce: Well, maybe it's time.
Robert's Father: [the elder man stops laughing] It is time... to *survive*. You're the seventeenth Robert Bruce. The sixteen before you passed you land and title because they *didn't* charge in. Call a meeting of the nobles.
Robert the Bruce: But, they do nothing but talk.
Robert's Father: Rightly so. They're as rich in English titles and lands as they are in Scottish, just as we are. You admire this man, this William Wallace. Uncompromising men are easy to admire. He has courage; so does a dog. But it is exactly the ability to *compromise* that makes a man noble. And understand this: Edward Longshanks is the most ruthless king ever to sit on the throne of England. And none of us, and nothing of Scotland will remain, unless *we* are as ruthless. Give ear to our nobles. Knowing their minds is the key to the throne.
Robert's Father: Ah, come in. Come in.
Robert the Bruce: A rebellion has begun.
Robert's Father: [pause] Under whom?
Robert the Bruce: A commoner... named William Wallace.
Robert's Father: [another pause] You will embrace this rebellion. Support it from our lands in the north. I will gain English favor by condemning it and ordering opposed from our lands in the south. Sit down. Stay awhile.
Robert the Bruce: This Wallace... he doesn't even have a knighthood. But he *fights*, with *passion*, and he *inspires*.
Robert's Father: [laughing] And you wish to charge off and fight as he did, eh?
[Robert nods slightly]
Robert's Father: So would I, eh?
[he laughs again]
Robert the Bruce: Well, maybe it's time.
Robert's Father: [the elder man stops laughing] It is time... to *survive*. You're the seventeenth Robert Bruce. The sixteen before you passed you land and title because they *didn't* charge in. Call a meeting of the nobles.
Robert the Bruce: But, they do nothing but talk.
Robert's Father: Rightly so. They're as rich in English titles and lands as they are in Scottish, just as we are. You admire this man, this William Wallace. Uncompromising men are easy to admire. He has courage; so does a dog. But it is exactly the ability to *compromise* that makes a man noble. And understand this: Edward Longshanks is the most ruthless king ever to sit on the throne of England. And none of us, and nothing of Scotland will remain, unless *we* are as ruthless. Give ear to our nobles. Knowing their minds is the key to the throne.
William Wallace: [after being outthrown] That's a good throw.
Hamish: Aye. Aye, it was.
William Wallace: I was wondering if you could do that when it matters.
[Hamish stares at him]
William Wallace: As it - as it matters in battle.
[Hamish continues staring]
William Wallace: Could you crush a man with that throw?
Hamish: I could crush you, like a worm.
Crowd: Oooohhh!
William Wallace: You could?
Hamish: Aye.
William Wallace: Well, then do it.
[to the crowd]
William Wallace: Would you like to see him crush me like a worm?
[the crowd cheers]
Murron: Aye!
William Wallace: [picks up a small stone] Come do it.
Hamish: You'll move.
William Wallace: I will not.
Hamish: Right.
Campbell: He'll move.
Morrison: Come on, Hamish!
Campbell: Come on there, boy!
[Hamish throws the stone but misses the unflinching Wallace]
Campbell: [pointing at Wallace] Well done!
[Wallace throws his stone hitting Hamish's head]
Hamish: Ah!
Crowd: Oooh!
Campbell: Fine display, young Wallace!
Hamish: Aye. Aye, it was.
William Wallace: I was wondering if you could do that when it matters.
[Hamish stares at him]
William Wallace: As it - as it matters in battle.
[Hamish continues staring]
William Wallace: Could you crush a man with that throw?
Hamish: I could crush you, like a worm.
Crowd: Oooohhh!
William Wallace: You could?
Hamish: Aye.
William Wallace: Well, then do it.
[to the crowd]
William Wallace: Would you like to see him crush me like a worm?
[the crowd cheers]
Murron: Aye!
William Wallace: [picks up a small stone] Come do it.
Hamish: You'll move.
William Wallace: I will not.
Hamish: Right.
Campbell: He'll move.
Morrison: Come on, Hamish!
Campbell: Come on there, boy!
[Hamish throws the stone but misses the unflinching Wallace]
Campbell: [pointing at Wallace] Well done!
[Wallace throws his stone hitting Hamish's head]
Hamish: Ah!
Crowd: Oooh!
Campbell: Fine display, young Wallace!
William Wallace: [to a swaying Hamish] You all right? You look a wee bit shaky.
Hamish: Shoulda remembered the rocks.
William Wallace: Aye, you shoulda.
[Hamish collapses; helps Hamish up]
William Wallace: Get up ya big heap. It's good to see you again.
Hamish: Aye, welcome home.
[laughs and hugs William]
Hamish: Oh, me head.
William Wallace: Oh, you shoulda moved.
Hamish: Shoulda remembered the rocks.
William Wallace: Aye, you shoulda.
[Hamish collapses; helps Hamish up]
William Wallace: Get up ya big heap. It's good to see you again.
Hamish: Aye, welcome home.
[laughs and hugs William]
Hamish: Oh, me head.
William Wallace: Oh, you shoulda moved.
[Murron is tied to a post about to be executed]
Magistrate: All of you know full well, the great pains I've always taken never to be too strict, too rigid with the application of our laws, and as a consequence, have we not learned to live together in relative peace and harmony, huh? And this day's lawlessness is how you repay my leniency. Well you leave me with little choice. An assault on the king's soldiers is the same as an assault on the king himself.
[slits Murron's throat]
Magistrate: Now, let this scrapper come to me.
Magistrate: All of you know full well, the great pains I've always taken never to be too strict, too rigid with the application of our laws, and as a consequence, have we not learned to live together in relative peace and harmony, huh? And this day's lawlessness is how you repay my leniency. Well you leave me with little choice. An assault on the king's soldiers is the same as an assault on the king himself.
[slits Murron's throat]
Magistrate: Now, let this scrapper come to me.
Hamish: What the hell are the Irish doing fighting with the English?
Stephen: I wouldn't worry about them. Didn't I tell ya before? It's my island.
William Wallace: Hamish, ride ahead to Edinburgh and assemble the council. Order it.
Hamish: Right.
William Wallace: Your island?
Stephen: My island! Yup.
Stephen: I wouldn't worry about them. Didn't I tell ya before? It's my island.
William Wallace: Hamish, ride ahead to Edinburgh and assemble the council. Order it.
Hamish: Right.
William Wallace: Your island?
Stephen: My island! Yup.
Robert the Bruce: Now, you've achieved more than anyone ever dreamed. But, fighting these odds, it looks like rage, not courage.
William Wallace: It's well beyond rage. Help me. In the name of Christ, help yourselves. Now is our chance. Now. If we join, we can win. If we win, well then we'll have what none of us has ever had before: a country of our own.
William Wallace: It's well beyond rage. Help me. In the name of Christ, help yourselves. Now is our chance. Now. If we join, we can win. If we win, well then we'll have what none of us has ever had before: a country of our own.
Hamish: There's somebody coming.
Campbell: MacGregors from the next clan.
MacGregor: We heard about what was happenin' and don't want you "Amadans" thinkin' you can have your fun without us.
William Wallace: Go home. Some of us are in this; can't help that, now. But you can help yourselves. Go home.
MacGregor: We'll have no homes left when the English garrison from the castle comes through and burns us out. And they will!
[Wallace motions for the MacGregors to join them]
Campbell: MacGregors from the next clan.
MacGregor: We heard about what was happenin' and don't want you "Amadans" thinkin' you can have your fun without us.
William Wallace: Go home. Some of us are in this; can't help that, now. But you can help yourselves. Go home.
MacGregor: We'll have no homes left when the English garrison from the castle comes through and burns us out. And they will!
[Wallace motions for the MacGregors to join them]
Hamish: Your dream isn't about freedom. It's about Murron! You're doing this to be a hero, 'cause ya think she sees ye!
William Wallace: I don't think she sees me. I *know* she does. And your father sees you, too.
[Hamish punches him, knocks him down, and stalks off]
Stephen: [to the sky as he goes to help William up] Jesus.
William Wallace: I don't think she sees me. I *know* she does. And your father sees you, too.
[Hamish punches him, knocks him down, and stalks off]
Stephen: [to the sky as he goes to help William up] Jesus.
Robert's Father: I'm the one who's rotting, but I think your face looks graver than mine. Son, we must have alliance with England to prevail here. You achieved that. You saved your family; increased your land. In time you will have all the power in Scotland.
Robert the Bruce: Lands, titles, men, power... Nothing.
Robert's Father: Nothing?
Robert the Bruce: I have nothing. Men fight for me because if they do not, I throw them off my land and I starve their wives and children. Those men who bled the ground red at Falkirk fought for William Wallace. He fights for something that I never had. And I took it from him when I betrayed him. I saw it in his face on the battlefield and it's tearing me apart.
Robert's Father: All men betray. All lose heart.
Robert the Bruce: I don't want to lose heart! I want to believe as he does... I will never be on the wrong side again.
Robert the Bruce: Lands, titles, men, power... Nothing.
Robert's Father: Nothing?
Robert the Bruce: I have nothing. Men fight for me because if they do not, I throw them off my land and I starve their wives and children. Those men who bled the ground red at Falkirk fought for William Wallace. He fights for something that I never had. And I took it from him when I betrayed him. I saw it in his face on the battlefield and it's tearing me apart.
Robert's Father: All men betray. All lose heart.
Robert the Bruce: I don't want to lose heart! I want to believe as he does... I will never be on the wrong side again.
Longshanks: Scottish rebels have routed one of my garrisons and murdered the noble lord.
Prince Edward: I heard. This Wallace is a brigand, nothing more.
Longshanks: And how would you deal with this 'brigand?'
Prince Edward: Like any common thief. Have the local magistrate arrest him and punish him accordingly.
Longshanks: [to all] Leave us.
[room clears, then Longshanks strikes the Prince]
Longshanks: Wallace has already killed the magistrate, and taken control of the town!
Prince Edward: I heard. This Wallace is a brigand, nothing more.
Longshanks: And how would you deal with this 'brigand?'
Prince Edward: Like any common thief. Have the local magistrate arrest him and punish him accordingly.
Longshanks: [to all] Leave us.
[room clears, then Longshanks strikes the Prince]
Longshanks: Wallace has already killed the magistrate, and taken control of the town!
King's Advisor: Milord, the princess might be taken hostage or her life be put in jeopardy.
Longshanks: Oh, my son would be most distressed by that. Uh, but in truth, if she were to be killed, we would soon find the king of France a useful ally against the Scots. You see, as king, you must find the good in any situation.
Longshanks: Oh, my son would be most distressed by that. Uh, but in truth, if she were to be killed, we would soon find the king of France a useful ally against the Scots. You see, as king, you must find the good in any situation.
