Patriotic to the end (The Patriot (DVD))

Member Name: Excelle

Product:	The Patriot (DVD)
Date:	02/04/01 (22 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Great plot, good character, well acted

Disadvantages: Some may take it as a historical reference

War is a terrible thing. Even those that were never there know that without a doubt, so for those who have fought in an armed conflict, the terrors must be all the more real. History helps is record and recall the horrors that befell those who fought for what we have today, and it also helps us to remember them. But we can never know what it was really like – only those that have experienced it know that.

Films and history – the history of war in particular – are tightly bound up with each other. Look through the archives of filmmaking, and you'll see countless scores of films attempting to dramatise the events that have passed, but most just end up glorifying war – making it seem clean cut and courageous. However, in recent times, it's been a trend to try and give an impression of war as it really was, to get us closer to the terrors of war, and to make us realise that it wasn't at all pleasant. Films like 'Saving Private Ryan' and other similar efforts gave us a truer picture of war – dirt, noise, blood, and people dying.

The Patriot is one such film – it shows war in all it's gory and horrifying details. And it also shows how war can affect everyone – no matter where their standing in the battle, be it on the front lines or in their homes. War is universal in its scope – it affects all and spares none. This film shows this to great effect, and leaves you in no doubt as to what war meant to the people of history.

So, to the film itself. Based in the times of the American War of Independence with the British, in the 1770s. The story centres around Benjamin Martin (played by Mel Gibson), who, after fighting bravely in the French – Indian wars, returns to his native South Carolina to live a peaceful life with his wife, tending to his crops and looking after his seven children. He has seen the horrors of war, and certainly has quite a few demons in his past he woul
d rather forget about, but never will. His wife dies, and Martin now completes renounces the violence of war in favour of being a good father and a good farmer. So, when the War of Independence comes knocking on his door, Martin stands up in front of the people of his state and says it straight – they should not go to war, but urge for a peaceful solution as long as possible, until they have no other choice. He tells them that if there is war "It will not be fought on the frontier, but amongst us. Our children will see it with their own eyes."

But Martin is outvoted, and the state goes to war. His eldest son, Gabriel (played by Heath Ledger), eager for a piece of the action, signs up without his fathers permission and goes off to experience the war for himself. However, he's soon back, wounded and on his way to deliver important dispatches to the American army. But the battle is soon upon them, and Gabriel is discovered, and Martin's second eldest son is killed ruthlessly trying to save him, by the evil and calculating Colonel Tavington (Jason Isaacs). Martin is drawn into the war, and so the main part of our story begins. Martin goes to war, mainly for vengeance, but also partly for pride for his country.

This story is well written and complex – there are enough sub plots to keep you on your toes, and you're never short of something to think about in the film, and this is just the way I like it. The film has a bit of everything – action, romance, morals, and a healthy lashing of the horrific cruelty of war for good measure. It's nothing short of an epic feature, and at over two and half hours, you're going to really have to enjoy it to watch it through to it's crescendo-like conclusion. Luckily, there was no point in the film that I even considered how long I'd been watching it for, and this is always a good sign.

Gibson plays an excellent part as the lowly farmer who rises to lead a
n assault against those oppressing them. He has a hero's charm, and there are plenty of clever moments in the film where he sets up a cunning trick, but there's the strong overtones of a man who will stand by his principles, and not sink to base tactics. The demons from his past add an interesting dimension to the film, and the combination of a loyal soldier and a devoted father produce a fascinating character. Gibson is shaping up to be an excellent and versatile actor, and after his successes with Ransom, Braveheart and What Women Want, I expect him to continue to do great things.

Isaacs is the classic arch-enemy character. While a excellent tactician and soldier, he is also dastardly and ruthless, and he will stop at nothing to get what he wants, or what he thinks he deserves. While some people will see him as a unrealistic Americanisation of an Englishman, these people need to remember that such people exist on both sides in conflict, and while there are also heroes, for each one of those there is an underhand and evil type who has a totally different view on battle.

So what of the controversy the film created? Well, I'm sorry to say this, but most of it is unfounded. Some British soldiers would act in a way that they did in the film, just as some American soldiers would too. We see soldiers doubting their superior's actions, soldiers disobeying orders, and some taking vengeance with no restraint – on BOTH sides. And in the end, it is just a story, not a documentary. While it's not a completely accurate depiction of history, I prefer to take the film on face value, and enjoy the story for what it is. Although it is based in part on a true story, it is a dramatisation, with many improvised parts, and many part altered to be more 'film-friendly', including most of the characters, so it's much better to take it as a fictional story, and enjoy the action and storyline it brings with it.

The effects in
the film are quite impressive, and some of the more gory scenes are quite vivid – hence if you're young or squeamish, then you shouldn't be watching this. The dialogue is impressive in parts, and the soundtrack is by John Williams (Jurassic Park, Star Wars), so I need say no more! Casting is also brilliant, and Star Trek fans will be pleased to see the excellent Rene Auberjonois (Odo from Deep Space 9) playing a timid and god fearing reverend, who is forced into battle by needs rather than choice. I was surprised how well he acted outside the Star Trek environment, but he did a good job and I hope to see more from him in the future.

I enjoyed this film immensely, and although it was quite strange to see what many would call a 'period drama' used in this way, it was welcome, and added to the atmosphere. It's a film full of charm, excitement, and above all - meaning. If people don't learn something of the dreadful nature of war from this film, the pain of loosing loved ones, and the meaning of family, then, well – they obviously weren't watching hard enough! This is a well crafted film, and certainly one to watch.

Summary: