Film Review: The Patriot
Film Summary
"Before they were soldiers, they were family. Before they were legends, they were heroes. Before there was a nation, there was a fight for freedom." This was the motto for one of the most disappointing war films ever made, The Patriot, which stormed the theaters of United States and Canada on July 4 of 2000. Directed and produced by Roland Emmerich , and starring Mel Gibson, Heather Ledger, Chris Cooper, and Jason Isaac, the film became not only one of the most cheesy war film ever made, but also one of the most inadequate historical movie released.
"The Patriot" is a historical drama focused on the American Revolution. The film tells the story about Benjamin Martin (Mel Gibson), a well-known politician, a famous war hero, and a widowed father of seven. He was tormented daily by the memories of what he did to the French during the war, praying for forgiveness and trying to avoid conflict. His intentions to lay down the sword, however, were dashed when the British marched through his hometown and killed members of the local militia who were fighting for freedom. In the process, the redcoats, led by the cruel and merciless Colonel Tavington (Jason Isaac), destroyed his house and killed his second son, Thomas. Enraged by the action of the Redcoats, Benjamin Martin with the help from his two prepubescent sons salvages all the weapons from their house, and tracks down the British squad responsible for the carnage. While he has his two kids lay down cover fire for him, he sneaks up on the soldiers and slaughters them all one by one.
Benjamin Martin's oldest son, Gabriel Martin (Heather Ledger) left the family to fight for the Continental Army despite of his father's objection. Unable to allow another one of his children to be killed, he took up his sword, and left his children in the hands of their aunt Charlotte to fight along side of his son. Refusing to join the army, he was named Colonel of the militia of South Carolina, and...
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