This just-about-edible slice of historical ham takes us to 14th-century Scotland in the dog days of Robert the Brave, with Angus Macfadyen playing the role of the outlaw king just as he did in Mel Gibson’s ‘Braveheart’ more than 20 years ago. That’s a nice touch, and the casting coup works in the film’s favour as it’s an older, heavier, world-wearier Robert we meet, on the run from the English and enemy Scots and hiding out in the backwoods with a young family who gives him shelter.
Everything else about this is pretty average, though, and it feels like dipping into a couple of episodes mid-run of an unexceptional historical drama series. There are rousing landscape shots, a fair amount of bone-crunching, and a dash of brooding patriotism – and a welcome attempt to look at history from the view of ordinary folk – but the storytelling is downbeat and basic.
