The Patriot (2000)

The Patriot is a movie about an patriotic American. It is the story of a man who had family values and lived them out. He was satisfied being a loving and caring father of his large family of children aged 2 to 17. He was a recent widower. He was a farmer. He lived in the time of the American Revolution. He was typical of the average American in 1776 and I think typical of many patriotic Americans today.

He was a reluctant warrior patriot. He was a member of the legislature. He was not in favor of going to war with the. However, when he saw the abject cruelty of the British and when his own son who enlisted in the American army and was later wound and then captured by the British

If you like historic dramas and a lot of action this is the movie for you. Mel Gibson not only acts, but he also directs this film. I think that he does both well. It depicts wholesome, yet realistic family and human relationships.

One website explains, “The Patriot tells the story of how the will to be free triumphs against impossible odds. In the movie, "The Patriot", Benjamin Martin and his son, Gabriel Martin, are really composite characters of real American patriots. In "The Patriot by LawBuzz.com," you will meet the real heroes behind Benjamin Martin, and Gabriel Martin: Francis Marion (the "Swamp Fox"), Daniel Morgan (the brilliant military strategist), and Andrew Pickens (the famous freedom fighter).”

The movie’s battle depictions are extremely graphic. I would not permit young children to view it. In one scene a cannonball is shown flying slow motion through the air decapitating a soldier. Because of the violence only older teens should be permitted to watch it.

The movie does a good job portraying the American spirit. The spirit remains in the soldiers serving in Iraq and Afghanistan today. Even though Senator Reid and Speaker Pelosi do their best to aid the new Redcoats, the Islamic terrorists, the soldiers typify the independence and freedom loving principles and values upon which this nation was built.

I highly recommend purchasing your own copy of this movie and at the very least renting it or watching it the next time it appears on TV. It will inspire you, it will educate you and it will entertain you at the same time. The principles and values portrayed are timeless.

TIP

I recently purchased this movie and Glory (1999) a movie which I recently reviewed in a double feature DVD set for under $14 at Wal-Mart.

RATING

gregjaye rates this movie ****1/2 of *****. However, the movie is definitely not suitable for younger children.