Playing to the gallery

Rating: 3/10 (2 July 2000)

I suppose if you like action and do want to think too much then this film might be your cup of tea (or, ahemm, perhaps coffee would be more appropriate) However as a Brit living this side of the Atlantic I Frankly found this film offensive. As far as I have been able to determine none of my ancestors murdered women and children in Churches and infact many of them were on the receiving end of some pretty nasty post independence atrocities themselves and left to make Canada in the process. So the character of Francis Marion is whitewashed to be all sweetness and light, no mention of his racism, and brutality. In contrast the British are heartless, war criminals just too incompetent and wicked to be believable. Infact if it wasn't for the French and some luck they might have won, but you would never believe it from this film. Oh well I suppose the Russians are gone now and nobody could demonise the Americans God forbid. Whatever next, Tom Cruise escaping from Colditz?