Letter: Miscast Mel

RECENT correspondence regarding the film Braveheart (Letters, 22 April) points out the historical inaccuracies of the production.

However, if you can suspend belief and ignore such things as the portrayal of the Scots as being kilted and painted (vital for the American market), and the "romantic interest" involving a French princess who, in reality, was only ten years of age in 1305 when Wallace was executed, I think you can still enjoy Braveheart as a decent movie.

If I had one minor complaint about this film, then it was the choice of actor in the lead role: Mel Gibson has been regularly accused of antisemitism and it is documented that on more than one occasion he has signed himself into rehab in order to dry out: a religious bigot with a drink problem? Who in their right mind could possibly cast him as a Scot?

Walter J Allan

Colinton Mains Drive

Edinburgh