The Patriot

Mel Gibson takes another star turn as an heroic freedom fighter. Loosely based on a real American Revolutionary known as the Swamp Fox, Gibson starts out as a man who is tired of fighting. An infamous veteran of the French and Indian Wars, widower Gibson wants nothing more than to farm and raise his children in peace. When his oldest son, played by Heath Ledger, joins up to fight the British, Gibson is angry but uninvolved. But when Ledger is captured by the Redcoats and scheduled for execution, his father rises up to save not only his boy but his fledgling country.

The Patriot worked hard to present an authentic view of a war fought in that time period, and the battle scenes are truly awesome. The story line is engrossing (the fact that some complained about its historical inaccuracies is immaterial to the plot), and the costuming and set decoration are top notch. Gibson, who made us weep for Scotland in Braveheart, will inspire you to get teary-eyed at the sight of the first American flags in The Patriot.

Family Suitability: The Patriot doesn't shy away from some fairly graphic battle scenes, but kids have probably seen worse on their video games, and the violence here is never gratuitous. The movie's usefulness as a general history lesson also cannot be overstated. Though specific events have been added for dramatic impact, the overview of the Revolution and the depiction of day-to-day life is quite authentic and well presented. This movie should be fine for kids of 10 or so and older, especially if Mom and Dad watch it with them.

NOTE: Actor Harrison Ford was offered the lead role in The Patriot. Hollywood gossip has it that he turned it down because a couple of young boys actually handle and shoot muskets in the film. Enter Mel Gibson, who later upset reporters when he told them he not only had no problem with the kids having guns in the movie, but that the father of seven would arm his own boys in a revolutionary scenario. I don't know about you, but guess who strikes Lady Liberty as the real patriot here?

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