The Patriot is set during the American Revolution and shines a light on the Colonial Militia and the men who fought the war. The movie follows the story of Benjamin Martin (Mel Gibson) as he tries to fight for a better world for his children.

I tend to not enjoy action or war movies that have a peaceful beginning. There are a few movies that start with the protagonist living their normal life but then are called into action. I much prefer it when the movie jumps immediately into action and this will really hook the viewer. Saving Private Ryan, for example, throws the characters, as well as the audience, directly into a war zone, but then later slows down to let the audience breathe. The Patriot did start peacefully with the protagonist living his calm life as a farmer. However, for this movie, starting in a more quiet environment worked better as it built the suspense perfectly. It also reflected how the war was not fought in some far off country where soldiers had to travel to but instead the war came to their homes.

And although it did take a while to build to the action, the action that was seen was quite incredible for its time. The action used mostly practical effects to its advantage since visual effects were still being developed at the time this movie was made. The Patriot was also extremely violent and deserves its MA15+ rating here in Australia and I wouldn't be recommending the movie for anyone under this age bracket.

Many of my favourite books, movies and musicals have one clear protagonist but still delve into the story of many other characters. This was true for The Patriot as there were many characters to whom the audience grew attached. This reflected the individuality that was seen in Militia in the war.

Do I even have to mention anymore that any movie with John Williams as a composer has amazing music? The music of John Williams will always reflect the overall theme of the movie even if the scores aren't enjoyable to listen to on their own. War movies often face the challenge of making the movie funny enough that the movie isn't too depressing but doesn't take away from the seriousness of the issue. The Patriot did exactly this as it had enough laughs but these weren't put right next to an incredibly serious scene.

One of the best parts of The Patriot was how the movie was able to feel modern. The movie was obviously set hundreds of years ago but still felt relevant. This was because of how the characters talked. They all talked as if they were in a movie set in 2021 but just wore old clothes and didn't have the technology of today. This worked astonishingly well and is something that should be done in all movies set a long time ago.

The Patriot is an incredible war movie. It brilliantly reflects the War of Independence unlike a history textbook could ever do. It not only could be an excellent addition to a history class but is also enjoyable to watch. When you watch the movie, it doesn't feel overly long but will take up almost three hours of a day. It is a must-see for anyone over the suggested age of fifteen.

Director: Roland Emmerich

Starring: Mel Gibson, Heath Ledger, Joely Richardson, Jason Isaacs

Year released: 2000

My rating: 9.25/10

Review by Tristan Carr

Last edited: 12/09/2021