America 250! A Look at “The Patriot”

Throughout the month of July, I will be checking out films for my special America 250th review slate. To kick things off, I took a look at a film that was heavily polarized when it was initially released in 2000 - “The Patriot.” “The Patriot” was generally divided between those who view it as a thrilling, emotional action epic and those who criticize its historical liberties.

A widowed farmer, with a brave but brutal military past, decides not to join up when the British arrive. However, when his son enlists and is later captured by the enemy and after his second oldest son was killed, the former soldier must abandon his new-found pacifist principles in order to rescue his oldest child, and forms a regiment of Carolina patriots, whose guerrilla tactics prove pivotal to the war effort.

A lot of the general audience (and myself) view the 2000 film as a highly entertaining, action-packed epic, but it still remains heavily debated for some of its historical inaccuracies. While viewers generally praise the film’s cast and emotional weight, most British audiences and historians criticized it for villainizing British troops.

“The Patriot” delivers some intense, thrilling sequences, an emotionally charged performance from Mel Gibson and Jason Isaacs' captivating portrayal of the ruthless villain. The film also featured a sweeping, beautiful score from the legendary John Williams (which actually helps the emotional and action-packed moments alot) and the epic, larger than life scale of the Revolutionary War battles.

The lead character’s (Benjamin Martin) journey in the film is really enjoyable as we see a compelling transformation from a haunted, pacifist father trying to shield his family into a fierce militia leader seeking vengeance and justice. Martin’s reason for only taking up arms when the British directly threatens and attacks his family is both highly relatable and sympathetic as he’s a parent doing all he can to protect his family. His emotional arc in the film is truly captivating and his mastery of 18th century guerrilla hit-and-run tactics against the massive British armies added immense suspense and action.

“The Patriot” also delivers rather intense, visually striking, and visceral combat sequences. The film showcases the grotesque and graphic realities of early warfare, from reloading muskets under heavy fire to bayonet charges and cannonballs ripping through the ranks. While the large scale battles are amazing since the production team utilized extensive practical effects, the small scale guerrilla ambushes are also quite intense, such as Benjamin Martin’s dramatic rescue of his son.

The 2000 film received a mixed to positive overall response during its initial release. While it was praised for its gripping action, emotional score, and entertainment value, it generated significant controversy and backlash for its historical inaccuracies.

“The Patriot” is a great pick for the 250th anniversary because it captures the visceral, mythic spirit of the Revolutionary War. Its high-stakes action and focus on a reluctant hero make it an engaging watch, while its exaggerated history and some sanitized elements serve as a starting point to discuss the complex realities of the nation’s founding.

MPA: Rated R for strong war violence   (runtime 165 minutes)

Initial release date: June 27, 2000

Streaming services: Tubi/various PVOD platforms/Peacock (begins streaming on Peacock 7/1) (as of writing this review)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R_C_dPHEWN0

• Heath Ledger didn't work for a year because he only got offers for teen heartthrob roles. He was about to quit acting, and return to Australia, when he was cast in the film.

• When teaching Mel Gibson and Heath Ledger how to shoot a muzzle-loading rifle, technical advisor Mark Baker gave them the advice to "aim small, miss small," meaning that if you aim at a man and miss, you miss the man, while if you aim at a button (for instance) and miss, you still hit the man. Gibson liked this bit of advice so much, he incorporated it into the movie, just prior to the ambush scene.

• Anne's speech was inspired by letters Abigail Adams sent to John Adams during the Revolution.

• In addition to Francis Marion, a.k.a. The Swamp Fox, Mel Gibson's character is also based on the life of South Carolina militia leader General Andrew Pickens. Pickens had his estate torched, and lost a son, before he went back into action and led the militia forces at Cowpens.

• Everyone in the battle had to undergo a two-week long boot camp before shooting began. The hand-to-hand combat moves are authentic to the time, and are still used by the military today.

• Aunt Charlotte's house is the same one used in Forrest Gump (1994), with slightly different interior paneling. The stone hedge visible in Forrest Gump is camouflaged with bushes in this film.

• The scene where Benjamin Martin (Mel Gibson) returns the dogs to General Cornwallis (Tom Wilkinson) may be based on a similar story told about General George Washington. During the Revolutionary War, Washington reportedly noticed the terrier of a British General wandering the battlefield. He subsequently negotiated a cease-fire, and both sides stopped firing until the dog was returned to the British commander.

• The character of Benjamin Martin is loosely based on the real-life soldier Francis Marion, a.k.a. The Swamp Fox. The Swamp Fox taught soldiers guerrilla tactics.