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Rating: 1/10 (5 November 2000)

I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw one user comment refer to this film as a "Stunning American Civil War Epic." Yes, and "Saving Private Ryan" was a "Fabulous Vietnam War Film." Hello people! Read a book! I'll give you a hint: go back four score and seven years before the American Civil War.
This film was a perfect example of today's American cinema: lush cinematography, amazing special effects, beautiful actors and no substanceno story. This cliche-ridden clap-trap goes on too long and tortures the viewer with hollow characters and emotional "string-pulling." The problem with most war movies (and particularly "The Patriot") is that they try to exalt warfare as a glorious and necessary activity. War is a horrific thing. As long as we elevate and worship warfare through the cinema it will always be with us. This movie is a nearly three-hour infommercial for the NRA.