Countries vary in several ways. Some are big, some have mountains, some have dictators, some are as old as time. One thing that remains constant is everyone's cultural pride and need for national identity. According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, pride is “the pleasure or elation derived from an act, possession, or relationship.” Therefore, it can be inferred that cultural pride is the love, appreciation and exaltation for a person's origin and practices of that culture. For example, Americans are proud of everything that was invented and achieved in America. Hispanics are proud of the traditions of their ancestors like the “Day of the Dead.” The Scots are proud of their heritage and traditions and resented England taking over their lands and forcing them to change their way of life in the 1290s. National identity is important because it is what differentiates countries from each other. If humans didn't have their own personalities, everyone would be the same, despite their different body shapes and features. Likewise, if countries did not have their own identity, what would make them different? The film Braveheart showed Scotland's efforts to form its own national identity. However, fictionalized films have many effects. Fictional films focused on national identity can act as demagoguery and provoke political movements. Although the film Braveheart provides a good example of cultural pride and the struggle for national identity, it does not accurately depict England's Scottish Rebellion; Additionally, many historical films do not accurately depict historical events. Misconceptions, Inaccuracies, and Movies While Braveheart provides multiple lessons regarding the middle of a sheet of paper, a different perspective of the world around them. Studying what makes countries different and their different backgrounds will also help students form credible opinions about history, economics, and politics. Works Cited Gibson, Mel, ed. Brave heart. Perf. Mel Gibson, Patrick McGoohan, Sophie Marceau. Icon Entertainment International, 1995. DVD. “History vs. Braveheart.” Angel fire. Internet. 24 March 2014. Innes, Ewan J. “The Scottish Wars of Independence.” Scottish History. 1995. Internet. March 24, 2014. “Pride.” Merriam Webster. Merriam-Webster, nd Web. April 21, 2014. “The Real Story: Braveheart.” » SmithsonianChannel.com. Internet. March 24, 2014. “The Wars of Independence.” EducationScotland. Internet. March 24, 2014 “William Wallace”. Angel fire. Internet. May 1, 2014. “William Wallace Undiscovered Scotland: The Ultimate Online Guide.” » Unknown Scotland. and Web. May 1 2014.