Flawed epic

Rating: Null/10 (3 November 2000)

I watched this movie on a jumbo jet en route between London and New York and what was my first ever visit to the States. After seeing this jingoistic rubbish I felt like keeping my head down and my English identity anonymous on my arrival at J.F.K. I know we were bad during the War of Independence but surely not as brutal as portrayed in the film. Patriot was certainly well made and written and Mel Gibson played his role with his usual professional enthusiasm. I actually met him in Scotland when he was filming Braveheart - another savage anti-English epic.I must say Patriot passed away the time during the journey but I doubt if I will bother to watch it again. Incidentally I received nothing but kindness and generosity from all the Americans I met in the States and nobody tried to stab me in the back.