Battle of the Brave

Despite the dramatic title and the militaristic drum-and-fife cover art, this isn’t really a film about the Battle of Quebec, that key conflict of the French and Indian Wars that led to the British conquest of Canada.  Instead, it’s essentially a romantic costume drama set in mid-18th century Quebec.  Which isn’t a criticism, because the costumes are great.  In fact, the entire production design of this movie is generally excellent, and the locations – mostly in Laurentian Canada – are beautiful.

 

The film centers on a love triangle involving lovely Marie-Loup, peasant and herbalist; hunky merchant Francois; and Xavier, a swaggering militiaman.  Though the love story business is rather conventional, many of the movie’s other plot points were inspired by a fascinating – and historically genuine – incident that has become part of Quebec folklore; namely, the story of Marie-Josephte Corriveau, who was tried before a British court martial for a crime that, some still believe, she didn’t commit.  I won’t say more, except to note that Marie-Josephte is featured on a 2015 Canadian postage stamp.

 

This is a movie to enjoy if you don’t mind your Canadian history buried deep beneath a wagonload of good-looking actors in handsome locations doing a whole lot of smooching and yearning.