THE PATRIOT
US, 2000, 175 minutes, Colour.
Mel Gibson, Heath Ledger, Joely Richardson, Jason Isaacs, Chris Cooper, Tcheky Karyo, Rene Auberjonois, Lisa Brenner, Tom Wilkinson, Donal Logue, Adam Baldwin.
Directed by Roland Emmerich.
The Patriot was written by Robert Rodat who wrote such different films as the family film, Fly Away Home, and Steven Spielberg’s Saving Private Ryan. American-written, it is a film about the War of Independence. It was considered objectionable by British authorities in the year 2000 who officially protested to the American government. British commentators also criticised Mel Gibson for appearing in it, commenting on a trilogy of attack on Britain from Gallipoli, Braveheart and The Patriot.
However, audiences will find it an interesting portrait of an aspect of the war of revolution. It is set in South Carolina in 1776. Mel Gibson plays a veteran of the Indian wars who wants to settle down as a farmer and have nothing to do with the war of revolution. However, his two sons enlist, one of them captured and about to be hanged, the other killed while trying to rescue him. This has such an effect on the farmer that he decides to go to war and becomes a strong leader.
The villain of the film is Jason Isaacs as Colonel Tavington who employs brutal methods against the rebel Americans. Again, the film was criticised by the British in 2000 for this character, considering him a caricature. Tom Wilkinson portrays the commander-in-chief of the British forces, Lord Charles Cornwallis.
The film was directed by Roland Emmerich who began his career in his native Germany. He made an impact in the United States with Stargate and, especially, with Independence Day. He also made the big-budget version of Godzilla.
1. An American epic? War epic? The importance of the War of Independence? The American ethos in the 18th century, the motivation for the war of revolution, its execution?
2. The re-creation of the 18th century, the countryside and way of life, the presence of the Britons, objections to British rule, objections to the rule of George III? The incidents leading up to the war, the Boston Tea Party? The background of work, farming? The religious devotion of the Americans? The nature of southern society? The background of the French- Indian wars? Life on the frontier? The traditions, the fight for freedom, the fight against oppression and brutality? The presence of the British militia? The musical score and its mood?
3. The response of the British, the assumptions about British superiority, the militias, the rule of George III? The various clashes? Their inability to hear the desires of the Americans?
4. The title, the American emphasis, the issues of the Americas?
5. The Martin family, the place of Benjamin Martin in his background of warrior, wanting to settle down, the farming? The memories of his dead wife? His number of children? Gabriel and Thomas, their place in the family, characters, their deciding to go off to war despite their father? Peter, anger? Susan and her not talking? The role of the aunt in the house, the different houses? The establishing of the characters of the family and the individual members?
6. The background of slavery, the slaves and their stances? The characters? Their decisions to fight? Exhibitions of prejudice? The promise of freedom? The role of Colonel Berwell? Benjamin Martin and his vote, his ideals?
7. The portrayal of the battles, the details on the two sides? The care for the wounded? The young men in battle? Colonel Tavington and his arrival, the Americans’ reaction? Gabriel, being captured, his visit home, the messages? Peter being shot? Benjamin and his reaction? Sending the children to be cared for by their aunt? The details of the battles and the fighting?
8. The portrayal of the British, Lord Cornwallis, his skills, personality, his diaries? His dogs? The codes? Society life, uniforms, etiquette? The banquets? His expectations? His property? His reaction to Tavington, the codes, brutality? The number of defeats, the role of the militia, the capture? Benjamin Martin and the negotiations? Prisoners and freedom? Cornwallis and his attitude towards Tavington, giving him permissions? The final battle and the defeat?
9. Colonel Tavington, his background, personality, brutality? With Cornwallis? The reactions of Cornwallis? The issue of the ghost? The battles, the hand-to-hand fighting? His brutality in burning the Martin house, the atrocity of the burning of the church? Confronting Martin? His having hanged his son?
10. The character of Benjamin Martin, an upright man, his decisions and motivation? His knowing the secrets of French tactics from his history? The shooting, the ambush – the ghost? The militia and the recruiting, going through the towns? Gabriel and his fighting? The girl and her father, the supplies? The role of the priest? The training, the skirmishes? The issue of reprisals – suicides, soldiers captured, freed?
11. The escape of the children to their aunt? The betrayal? The chasing of the children, their hiding, the house being burnt?
12. The issue of exile, Gabriel and his wedding, Benjamin and relying on the aunt?
13. Everybody returning, Berwell, Benjamin and Gabriel? The build-up to the final battle, Martin as a patriot, the codes of war, Cornwallis despising the militia, the retreat, the patriots winning?
14. The importance of the war of revolution in the United States, in the American psyche, independence and liberty, the Declaration of Independence, the consequences?
