The Patriot

Oddly enough the Revolutionary War has never been a popular war that has been interpreted into mainstream media culture, as compared to the Civil War or WWII. And yet, it's the most important war that has ever been fought in America's history. Its victory set the foundation of every free Western  civilization since then. As a Virginian (but not a southerner, there's a difference) I live 90 min. away from Colonial Williamsburg, which is one of the primary cities of America's Independence. Inspired by numerous different war heroes, The Patriot takes the confusing aspects of the Revolutionary War and condenses them into the passionate journey of a man who must confront the sins of his past to preserve the freedom of his future. 

I have long feared that my sins would return to visit me,

 and the cost is more than I can bear.

~ Benjamin Martin

Benjamin Martin is a legendary war hero from The French and Indian War. However, he silently suffers from the horrific crimes he committed towards the French and afterwards swore never to raise arms again. Now, a well to do farmer in South Carolina, Benjamin has his hands full raising his seven lively children, Gabriel, Thomas, Nathan, Margaret (Meg), Samuel, William and Susan on his own after his beloved wife died. If he's not dealing with his oldest, seventeen year old, idealistic Gabriel who is determined to sign up for the militia, then it's longing to hear his youngest child Susan finally speak, but she has been incapable of doing so since her mother's death. 

All throughout the colonies, talk of war against England is taking grip upon the men and women who long to be freed from King George's rule. Due to his involvement in the French and Indian conflict, Benjamin is not convinced that war is the absolute answer to gaining freedom and is outspoken about his opposition. However, war is declared and Benjamin is hopeless at preventing Gabriel from enlisting in the militia. 

As the war rages on and the British invaders becoming more aggressive as they are led by the ruthless, Colonel William Tavington, Benjamin's once pacifist beliefs begin to dissipates as his home is destroyed and his family torn apart. When he is finally pushed to the breaking point, Benjamin realizes that in order to regain peace, he must be willing to step onto the battlefield and fight for it. No matter the cost and the blood that will be shed to live in a country free from tyranny. 

Thomas was my brother, as well as your son.
 You may not believe this, but I want satisfaction as much as you do,
but not at the expense of our cause. 
There will be a time for revenge.
But until then, stay the course.
~ Gabriel Martin

Mel Gibson stepped onto the world stage as an Australian, but he's a natural born American. Even though his family has generational ties to Australia, he was born in New York and moved to Australia when he was twelve. The Patriot was Gibson's first American war film and to be honest, his best film. In many ways, it was more personal because one of the stories of his family's move to Australia was to prevent his older brothers from being drafted into The Vietnam War (although it's never been confirmed). However, that possible legend certainly plays into Benjamin's pacifist mindset and his refusal to allow his own son from joining the army. 

I remember the controversy that surrounded The Patriot when it came out (what kind of Gibson film would it be if it wasn't seeped in controversy?), due to its intense and bloody battle scenes. Yet, war can never be sanitized and history rewritten to appease those who may not agree with it. Despite the gritty, gruesomeness of war, there's a beautiful warmth of the Martin's the family life; especially the father/son bond between Benjamin and Gabriel that grows stronger as they fight together. Benjamin's desire to reunite his family, even if it means leaving them for the battlefield is the whole heart of this film. It's a constant reminder of why America went to war in the first place. To create a better country and better world for those who follow after us.