Don't Call Me A Buff

Rating: Null/10 (5 July 2007)

I am a history major at a university. I watch these movies for the entertainment and the costumes. I watch them even more to see people like Mel Gibson and Heath Ledger, and others including the daughter of Vanessa Redgrave. We know that historical accuracy may not be what sells tickets to movies. It is comforting to know, however, that at the end of the credits all due respect is given to The Smithsonian Institution for their excellent guidance. For total accuracy, check out the History Channel, though sometimes I feel that their presentations are none too intelligent.
That said, I am also an actor. I try to watch "most" of the gory scenes, knowing full well about the special effects, miniatures and fake blood and gore. I also know that no animals were hurt in this film, so when we see a horse stabbed we know that it is just an illusion for movie making. We must suspend our sense of reality.
I hate the phrase "history buff". That is for all of those armchair critics of the American Civil War (yes, there were/are plenty of civil wars in other countries). Getting a college degree in history is much more important than being on either the side of the Union or the Confederacy in the 1861-1865 conflict.
This movie shows the British war strategists to be brilliant. They obviously have access to an English treasury that will finance all of their trappings, ships, weapons, etc. They fight in formal rows, as do the Continentals. The Continentals get slaughtered big-time, until ol' Mel Gibson, in his anger, fires up his band of ragtag homeboys to eventually turn the war around around to the good-new U.S. of A., LOL. Mel (Martin) obviously learned this from being that great hero of the French and Indian Wars, being a British soldier but somehow noticing that the Indians/Native Americans never fought in neat rows like they were going out for a Sunday outing. Martin found out that to hide behind trees and dress in blah colors was a sure way to beat the Redcoats (the new enemy, circa-1776) who were his former compatriots. Besides, if animals could disappear from the environment and not be seen by predators, maybe Mel and his buddies could, too. Mel and his drunkards (pow-sock-bam-biff-bop) had several instances of line-fighting, even alongside the Continental uniformed regulars.
I figured early on that Mel would face Tavington and kill that redcoated scoundrel at the end (the big finale), but I didn't figure on Gabriel (Ledger) getting killed much less the younger boy getting killed also. That was heartbreaking, but remember folks, it's fake blood and bottled ooze. Tavington (Jason Isaacs, later of Captain Hook snarling infamy) finally got HIS, but kept refusing to die, first at the hands of Gabriel then at the fatal unmercy of ol' Braveheart himself. But of course, Mel outfoxed him, and lived to see his sons' lives avenged. Even Peter Pan (2003) finished off Isaacs by feeding Hook to the bloodthirsty crocodile. If you saw 'Peter Pan', you know that Hook/Isaacs went down "old, alone, and unloved"). As far as Tavington and his annihilation, go figure. Cornwallis didn't like his sadistic tactics, and Tavington's officers figured him for a insane madman to boot. Maybe they were glad that Mel finished him off.
To see even humongously more fake blood and gore, visit Mel's 'Passion of the Christ'.
13/10.