The Patriot
Starring
Mel Gibson, Heath Ledger, Jason Isaacs
Rating
Rating within genre
Rated
R for violence
Directed by
Roland Emmerich
Written by
Robert Rodat
Genre
Historical war drama
Film
Color; 2 hrs. 40 min.
Date of Release
2000
Filming Locations
Charleston, SC (USA)
Chester, SC (USA)
Rock Hill, SC (USA)
Synopsis
During the early American Revolution, an ex-soldier with seven children must enter into the fight for independence to protect his family from the British army.
Summary
Full of historical war action, 'The Patriot' is a film that will definitely hold your attention. Some of it is certainly a little mush-mush and corny, but Mel Gibson's performance is one of his best....and Heath Ledger is amazing. The movie, however, is thoroughly depressing. In every bad situation you're sure it's going to work out, that the good guys will find a way to pull through. But the results leave you pretty down and on the edge of tears (over the brink for some)....though the whole point is to be realistic, and that the film does extremely well. But despite its hardcore effect on the mind, all in all 'The Patriot' is a stunning work of art, and by far the top revolutionary war drama yet seen in the film world.
Notable Quotes
"Stupid boy." -- Colonel William Tavington
"Oh son, that wasn't your fault." -- Benjamin
"May I have permission to write your daughter, Anne? Permission to write Anne. To write your daughter!" -- Gabriel
"You've done nothing for which you should be ashamed....I've done nothing - and for that I am ashamed." -- Benajmin
Reviews
Stygian Films: "Gripping, and holds your attention all the way through..."
NZone: "...a good film..."
E! Online: "Huge, handsome, and compelling in scope..."
Cinema Sense: "Despite its power to invoke the sentiment of honor and gratitude, the movie is dampened by some nagging unrealities."
Entertainment Weekly: "...inflated with clichés from the screenwriter's manual."
Film Threat: "...the best film ever made about the Revolutionary War."
USA Today: "...comes close to being a must-see movie." .... "Bloody history is spattered with brilliance."
Flick Filosopher: "...corny and manipulative..."
Los Angeles Times: "...never completely satisfying."
Orlando Weekly: "...this summer's unavoidable event movie."
Cast List
Mel Gibson.................................Benjamin Martin
Heath Ledger..............................Gabriel Martin
Jason Isaacs................................Colonel William Tavington
Lisa Brenner...............................Anne Howard
Joely Richardson.........................Charlotte Selton
Chris Cooper..............................Colonel Burwell
Tcheky Karyo.............................Major Jean Villenueve
Gregory Smith.............................Thomas Martin
Tom Wilkinson............................General Cornwallis
Logan Lerman.............................William Martin
Rene Auberjonois........................Reverend Oliver
Beatrice Bush..............................Abigale
Mika Boorem..............................Margaret Martin
Trevor Morgan............................Nathan Martin
Bryan Chafin...............................Samuel Martin
Skye McCole Bartusiak..............Susan Martin
He fought for his country....
To save their lives.
Also recommended
Gladiator
Johnny Tremaine
The Messanger
Pictures taken from Yahoo! under "The Patriot"
Also see The Patriot Official Site