Figure 1.--'The Patriot' is a genre now called American historical fiction. In reality, there are very few Holywood historical fims that are not historical fiction, including the films based on real events and characters. Here the maincharacter's son is seen furing on the Btitish. There were drummer boys on bith sides. We are not sure to what extent boys and youths were involved in the fighting.

'The Patriot' is a genre now called American historical fiction. In reality, there are very few Holywood historical fims that are not historical fiction, including the films based on real events and characters. It was directed by Roland Emmerich and written by Robert Rodat. The cast starred Mel Gibson, Chris Cooper, Heath Ledger, and Jason Isaacs. It was produced by the Mutual Film Company and Centropolis Entertainment and was distributed by Columbia Pictures. The film is set in the southern theater, suposedly rural York County, South Carolina. The plot describes an American desiring to remain neutral, but swept into the Revolutionary War because his family is threatened. The fictional Benjamin Martin played by Gibson is a composite figure the scriptwriter says is based on four factual Revolutionary figures: Andrew Pickens, Francis Marion, Daniel Morgan and Thomas Sumter. The premise is of course absurd. You can not base a character in such disparate individuals. The film provides a surprisingly realistic view of the War, at least for Hollywood. Like several of Gibson's films, it proved controversial. The controversies involved the portrayal of historical figures and the depiction of atrocities. Professor Mark Glancy, instructor of film history at Queen Mary, University of London complained "It's horrendously inaccurate and attributes crimes committed by the Nazis in the 1940s to the British in the 1770s." [Bettridge] Now the British have a great deal to complain about regarding Hollywood's depiction of the British. But here 'The Patriot' is more honest than most Hollywood films. Th Revolution abounded with rueties and attrocities. In the South Major Banastre Tarleton. And the British tratment of POWs was little shot of genocidal. That said, the Colonists were also often brutal, not Washington's Continentals, but the many irregulars as well as mob action against loyalists. The film shows young boys fighting. There were drummer boys on both sides. We are not sure to what extent boys and youths were involved in the fighting. we are not entirely sure about the accracy of the costuming. We suspect that the boys wear clothing that the more affluent would have worn. The tri-corner hats are historically correct, but we are not sure if every colonial boy had one or even if most boys had one. Nathan Martin

Created: 3:34 AM 1/23/2016
Last updated: 3:34 AM 1/23/2016