Another excellent 'war is hell' movie

Rating: 10/10 (23 July 2000)

Was this movie as good as Braveheart? No, but then how many are? Certainly it is a better effort than such recent 'blockbusters' like the highly over-rated 'American Beauty'. Maybe if they portrayed Benjamin Martin masturbating in the shower more viewers would consider this to be an excellent movie? Nonetheless, it was an excellent movie in many ways and worthy of being seen by every US patriot out there. Some of the comments I've read would indicate the movie touched a nerve with the British. Well, hurray!!! The Imperialistic British empire of that era deserves every bit of it. Some of the strong points of the movie were the excellent performances by some relatively unknown actors like Heath Ledger and Jason Isaacs. I didn't find the movie to be overly melodramatic. I wasn't moved to tears in any parts, mostly I felt anger and outrage. The portrayal of brutality and loss of life and property were very real. Some of the comments I've read would indicate that they think this movie was about a totally fictional period of world history. The losses and tragedies suffered by signers of the Declaration of Independence are well documented, but how many realize that the same happened to most of the 'patriots' of that era during a war fought on their doorsteps amongst former friends and neighbors.

Though some would make light of it, I thought this movie captured the sense of sacrifice that is often necessary to gain and keep liberty. War is hell, but sometimes you must fight.
I thought the movie did a decent job of portraying the inner turmoil of a man in Benjamin Martin's position. Things aren't that bad, I have a family now, all I want to do is live in peace, so why would I want to go to war with the British. Yet he eventually realized that his pacifism only led to more grief and bloodshed. The movie is by no means perfect, but I still rate it a 10 and highly recommend it for all you patriots out there.