First off, 2000's The Patriot is by no means historically accurate.  Really in any aspect I can think of.  Just do some reading up on the film and you'll see lots of other reviews railing on it for its blatant inaccuracies, and judging it solely on those points.  Forget all that.

The Patriot, in my opinion, ranks right up there with the likes of modern war movie classics like Saving Private Ryan.  I'll get to explaining that reasoning in a bit, don't worry.

Set in 1776 South Carolina at the height of the Revolutionary War, we find one Benjamin Martin (Mel Gibson) and his family.  His son, Gabriel (Heath Ledger) has volunteered for the Contintental Army, much to the dismay of Ben.  You see, Ben knows all too well the horrors of war, having been involved in a terrible incident during the earlier "French-Indian" war.  The British forces, locally lead by one Col. Tavington (Jason Isaacs) come upon his home, where there happen to be some wounded soldiers, along with Gabriel.  Tavington kills the next youngest Martin boy, Thomas in cold blood, forcing Ben back into action, much against his will.

From there the movie explores the terrible truths of war, present then, and present now.  The true costs of war, and indeed the costs of freedom and principle are presented in such a way that if you're not moved at least a little, you must be made of stone.  That's where this movie excels, in its message.

OK, I'll give you that the depiction of the British as wanton barbarians hell bent on burning and killing everything in sight may be over the top.  Just a bit.  But I think without a clear and distinct "evil" in this picture it wouldn't have worked as well.  Which is why all of the politics and historical facts were also left out, it just doesn't matter for the message.

Sure I suppose it gets a little "formula" in between Martin's change of heart and the conclusion.  Especially the typical "grudge match" ending between Tavington and Martin.  But that final "zinger" makes it all worth it, and I think sums up the entire movie, and what it represents.

"My sons were better men."

And because of them I'm able to write this article.  Don't forget.  Watch The Patriot.

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