A liberal historian has been blasted for her article in the Daily Beast, in which she described Mel Gibson's film "Braveheart" as a "sadomasochistic fantasy beloved by evangelical Christians, who wallow in its exaltation of violent, macho religion".
In an article published in the Daily Beast, Kristin Kobes Du Mez reflects on the legacy of the movie, which won five Oscars, noting that it has become a touchstone for a generation of American evangelicals, who loved it for its "righteous warrior motif, for its portrayal of rugged masculinity, feminine purity, and for its call to heroic action".
She argues that "Braveheart" offered a more vigorous model of Christian manhood, which then led evangelicals to choose militancy over kindness and transform "the Jesus of the Gospels into a ruthless warrior king who leads them into the battles of their own choosing".
The article prompted a strong backlash online, with users accusing the author of being woke and wondering what other films the left will attempt to cancel.
Oh Brother does it ever end with the wokieness? It's a movie and a good movie ..my personal opinion. Don't watch it if it offends you..
— Roses Have Thorns (@BabyBoo92789067) June 28, 2021
What's next " Bambi"?
— Kitty (@Kitty91805230) June 29, 2021
Others said that the movie is loved by everyone.
Jews, Catholics, atheists, Hindus … everyone likes Braveheart. But to leftists who live under labels and segregation it's a movie for Evangelicals. https://t.co/ShByWec5CP
— Marina Medvin 🇺🇸 (@MarinaMedvin) June 28, 2021
Ah yes Braveheart: winner of 5 Oscars, including Best Picture, Director, and Cinematography; nominated for five other Oscars and four Golden Globes…
— Owen Siebring (@owensiebring) June 28, 2021
Yet somehow only beloved by evangelical Christians. https://t.co/eEv1Xjylbt
Many users noted that the movie has nothing to do with the religion.
Braveheart actually highlights the importance of intelligence, planning, and patriotism. It's a beautful tale
— Supreme Emperor Longstaffe (@NickLongstaffe) June 28, 2021
I've seen the film several times and it has nothing to do with religion. It's the story of a Scottish patriot who inspired his people to throw off the yoke of British rule (sound familiar?) In order to create a Marxist State you must destroy all images of patriotism or resistance
— Bill Nickerson (@bnicktweet) June 28, 2021
One user suggested that the article is an example of how the left is getting religion wrong.
The left despises religion and wants to supplant it. Note how the word religion is used here. It's a tell. https://t.co/tvErCOIGkD
— Mike LaChance (@MikeLaChance33) June 28, 2021
As mentioned earlier, the war drama has been repeatedly admonished for historical inaccuracies, in particular film critics and historians drew attention to the inaccuracies in dates and characters as well as the clothes worn by people in the movie.
One critic said the inaccuracy about kilts in the movie was tantamount to characters "wearing 20th century business suits" back-to-front in a movie about Colonial America. Gibson has dismissed the accusations of the critics.
"I'll admit where I may have distorted history a little bit. That's ok. I'm in the business of cinema. I'm not a f**king historian", he said.
