Why don't the British shoot in the movie?

[Vivaldi]

[purplepoppy]

The advancing force tries to close the gap as quickly as possible. The defending side tries to get off as many volleys as they can. If the attacking side stops to fire too soon it gives the defenders more time to reload.

A high percentage of defender shots will miss at distance and as the gap closes panic sets in and mistakes are made loading and shooting. Once close enough the attacker will return fire.

[BoobSlayer]

They just want an excuse to play dead until tea time. "Right jolly, I think I been hit. I'll lay here until a the nurse brings me a cup of Earl Grey."

[purplepoppy]

Actually battles did used to stop for a cup of tea at one point

[BoobSlayer]

They say the American Revolution was won when Benjamin Franklin put on a kettle of water for the jetlagged British soldiers. They thought it was time to stop for tea.

[MysticDevice]

Just baffles me that that's the best tactic the greatest military of the time could think of.

In any case, the Brown Bess had an effective range of 50ish yards. So you gotta get up nice and close to the Frenchies for a good volley