Revisionist History Again (The Patriot (DVD))

Member Name: silent2

Product:	The Patriot (DVD)
Date:	23/07/00 (8 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Good scenery, special effects

Disadvantages: Historical nonsense

Yet another piece of blatant historic revisionism from the Hollywood studios. We know the Americans won the War of Independence but they achieved this with excellent guerilla warfare tactics which the British had little experience in fighting. Very able, agressive and tactically aware officers leading their regular forces and a small but very effective fleet. It was not by the kind of trash that Hollywood and Mel Gibson are trying to inflict upon us.

As in his previous anti-English 'patriotic' films, the formula is predictable. Peace lover who by force of circumstance, for that read the sadistic English, takes up the flag of his country and wins the war. The finale scenes are worth a comedy award it is so improbable.

Having said that the cinematography was very good and the scenery stunning. The battle scene where troops are engaged by cannon quite realistic, there are documented reports of legs being ripped off by cannonballs rolling along the ground.

I worry that people are going to watch this and believe this to be fact. It would be nice if the Americans/Mel Gibson put the disclaimer that this is a work of fiction is big bold letters at the start of the film

Summary: