Netflix has dramatically expanded its historical film collection with the addition of Outlaw King, the acclaimed 2018 war drama featuring Chris Pine and Florence Pugh. This move provides British viewers with immediate access to one of cinema's most visceral portrayals of the Scottish Wars of Independence.
A Star-Studded Cast Brings History to Life
Directed by David Mackenzie, who also co-wrote and produced the film, Outlaw King chronicles the turbulent period between 1304 and 1307 when Scotland fought for its sovereignty. The narrative centres on legendary warrior Robert the Bruce, portrayed by Chris Pine, after his coronation as King of Scots.
The English crown forces Bruce into exile, where he gathers a band of outlaws in a daring campaign to reclaim his throne. The film explores how Bruce employed both cunning strategy and raw bravery to challenge the might of the English army.
Beyond Pine and Pugh, the production features an impressive ensemble cast including Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Tony Curran, Billy Howle, and Stephen Dillane. James Cosmo and Sam Spruell also deliver powerful performances in this sweeping historical epic.
Mastering the Scottish Accent
In discussions with Entertainment Weekly, Chris Pine revealed the considerable effort required to perfect his Scottish accent for the demanding role. 'It was difficult to get an accent to be organic that is so foreign from my own', the American actor confessed.
Pine elaborated on particular phonetic challenges, noting 'There were particular sounds that I stumbled on, but also just getting the musicality of the language down.' His primary objective was ensuring the accent felt authentic without overshadowing the narrative, stating 'I didn't want it to be a movie about an accent; I didn't want people to not believe I was Scottish, but I also couldn't draw too much attention to it and away from the story.'
Critical Reception and Audience Response
The film has earned a respectable 69% score on Rotten Tomatoes, with viewers particularly praising its cinematic qualities and historical authenticity. One Netflix subscriber commented 'Good movie. Cinematic. Story was interesting, good pacing, and acting was good. Worth the watch.'
Another viewer highlighted the film's technical achievements, noting 'Great movie all around, deserves way more love than it has received. This one will age well, fantastic period piece with stunning cinematography, solid acting/cast, and realistic fight scenes.'
The attention to detail extended even to background performers, with a third viewer observing 'Noticed that not only were the cast amazing but the extras in the battle scenes were unbelievable, probably the best extras I've seen in any movie.'
Outlaw King represents another significant addition to Netflix's growing catalogue of historical epics, joining other popular period dramas that have found success on the streaming platform. The film's arrival comes as another international series, Danish crime thriller The Asset, also gains traction among British subscribers.
For those seeking an immersive historical experience, Outlaw King is available to stream immediately on Netflix UK, bringing the dramatic story of Robert the Bruce's rebellion directly to British living rooms.
