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In the years between
Braveheart and The Passion Of The Christ, Mel Gibson created
The Patriot - a big screen portrayal of the American
Revolution against the British crown. Nominated for three
Academy Awards, and including a brilliant original soundtrack
composed by John Williams, The Patriot is an excellent
illustration of the historical roots of American
representative government. Mel Gibson stars in the lead role
with his usual charismatic screen presence. In essence, this
is Braveheart in the foothills of South Carolina, and Gibson's
fans will not be disappointed…
The year is 1776, and in
a small South Carolina town, farmer Benjamin Martin (Mel
Gibson) is disheartened to hear of the impending American
rebellion against England. A veteran of the French and Indian
War, Martin is well aware of the horrors associated with armed
conflict. He prefers the safety and tranquility of farm life
and encourages his family to do the same. But when his eldest
son Gabriel (Heath Ledger) joins the revolution, British
redcoats arrive on Martin land and threaten the entire family.
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When one of Benjamin's younger sons attempts
to help his brother, the sadistic British officer William Tavington
(Jason Isaacs) cuts him down. The murder of his son inflames the
passions of Benjamin Martin who changes his mind about fighting and
enlists in the local militia. Hunting down British army officers
with the stealth actions of a wild animal, Martin employs guerilla
tactics and superior knowledge of the land in order to level the
playing field against the world's greatest army…
As British General Cornwallis moves his troops
into the South Carolina area, Martin leads a band of militiamen who
successfully sabotage British supplies, bomb British ships anchored
in Charleston, and pluck off redcoats one-by-one. Fighting side by
side with his eldest son, Martin hopes to hold off the British
advance long enough to receive aid from the French. He also hopes to
avenge the murder of his son and give birth to a new nation. But
another chance encounter with Tavington results in Gabriel's death
on the battlefield.
As the American Revolution gains ground
against the British forces, Martin engages in a series of bloody
conflicts - one of which leads to the inevitable showdown between
himself and Tavington, the man who murdered his sons…
Released in late June of 2000, just a few days
before Independence Day, The Patriot is a well-written, action
packed foray into the world of Colonial rebellion. Its stunning
portrayal of the American Revolution inspires every viewer who
retains a modicum of patriotism for the American experiment, and the
fight for freedom makes for a worthy subject. One of Mel Gibson's
best movies, The Patriot offers scene after scene of majestic
landscapes, elegant soundtrack music, and an overall story dripping
with action and suspense. If you loved Braveheart, then you'll
definitely enjoy The Patriot. Its similar depiction of an honorable
and heroic figure fighting for the freedom of his countrymen makes
The Patriot a must-see film for the ages…
About the Author
Britt Gillette is author of The
DVD Report, a blog where you can find more reviews like this one
of The
Patriot (DVD).
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