Who would have thought that after Halloween we’d still be getting plenty of treats? Well, it certainly isn’t a trick. Netflix has a slew of originals coming your way in November. One such film is the Outlaw King set to air on November 9th. Here’s everything we know so far about Outlaw King.
What is the plot?
Outlaw King stars Chis Pine and is a historical action drama based upon the Scottish national hero Robert the Bruce. The film will follow Robert the Bruce’s war of liberation against English occupation in Scotland and his rise to become the King of Scots.
Who was Robert the Bruce?
Robert the Bruce is a celebrated national hero of Scotland due to his war of liberation against English occupation in the late 13th and early 14th centuries. Having taken part in William Wallace’s revolt against Edward the I of England, he was already a renowned warrior of his time. Having inherited the Scottish throne after the death of his family, Robert the Bruce reigned as King of Scotland for twenty-three years.
Prior to his reign, he took part in the Scottish war of Independence. As King of Scotland, he would continue the war against English occupation. The war lasted for thirty-two years, from 1296 to 1328. Having been defeated in battle during his first campaign for freedom, Robert went into hiding.
After recovering and coming out of hiding the people of Scotland flocked to his cause. Robert would go on to lead his people to multiple victories against the English and in 1320 the first declaration of independence was sent to the Pope. His subsequent invasion of the North of England forced the hand of Edward III to sign the treaty of Edinburgh-Northampton. To seal the peace, Robert’s son David II would marry the sister of Edward III.
Why was he an outlaw?
Besides the war against the English, prior to his claim to the throne, Robert would attempt to murder the traitor Comyn. With Comyn dead, he was treated as an outlaw and excommunicated. If it wasn’t for his pact with Lamberton and support from the Scottish Church his claim to the throne would have been non-existent.
Once he was crowned King he lost a campaign against the English and was forced to flee to Ireland, thus making him an Outlaw King.
Who are the cast members?
The main core of the cast is in the table below:
| Role | Actress/Actor | Where Have I Seen Them Before? |
|---|---|---|
| Robert The Bruce | Chris Pine | Wonder Woman, Star Trek, Jack Ryan |
| Elizabeth de Burgh | Florence Pugh | The Commuter, The Falling, Lady Macbeth |
| James Douglas | Aaron Taylor-Johnson | Godzilla, Age of Ultron, Kick-Ass |
| Angus MacDonald | Tony Curran | Underworld: Evolution, Red Road, Flight of The Phoenix |
| Sir Robert VI de Brus | James Cosmo | Braveheart, Game of Thrones, Highlander |
| Edward I | Stephen Dillane | Game of Thrones, Spy Game, Darkest Hour |
| Lord John Comyn | Callan Mulvey | Batman vs. |
| Lord Henry Percy | Duncan Lacroix | Vikings, Outlander, Primeval |
What is the critic reception?
Critics appear to be split in half on their opinion of the film. The performances of Pine and Pugh have been highly praised. Some of the story and battle scenes have been criticized for lack of originality.
One major note to mention is the historically accurate portrayal of the armies. Compared to that of Mel Gibson’s highly inaccurate Braveheart, such things as the correct armor and sigils of the respective commanders go a long way in our books.
The Trailer
Netflix released a brand new trailer for Outlaw King and after viewing this we can’t wait to watch it!
Are you excited to see Outlaw King? Let us know in the comments below.
