Emmerich's best film to this date.

Rating: 9/10 (2 May 2001)

Director Roland Emmerich redeems himself in directing "The Patriot", a glorious yet extremely take on the Revolutionary War and how a former war hero, Benjamin Martin (Mel Gibson) gets dragged into the war when his eldest son, Gabriel (Heath Ledger) enlists in the Continental Army and one of his other sons, is shot and killed by a cold-blooded British colonel, Tavington (Jason Issacs), whose harsh tactics are heavily despised by Cornwallis (Ton Wilkinson) himself. This movie shows very clearly why the war took a physical and personal toll on some people and Gibson's character makes the best example. Also, Robert Rodat writes a solid script, the score by John Williams is fresh and moving, and Caleb Deschanel's priceless cinematography is breath-taking. Overall, this film is Emmerich's best one to this date.