Any cinematic merit spoilt by lies.

Rating: 3/10 (15 June 2000)

The Patriot is an exciting film with dramatic action sequences and another good performance from Mel Gibson. However, coming from England, I found it impossible to enjoy the film and found it intensely irritating. The reason for this is not just a small minded love for my country but because of the black and white portrayal of the historical events depicted in the movie. Apparently the English soldiers were the bad guys and the Americans were the good guys. Well, true it is modern popular belief to instantly be on the side of the rebels against the oppressors. Fair enough. But in real life, and this is REAL life not Hollywood's depiction of it, the character played by Mel Gibson was himself guilty of many atrocities - including the raping of a servent girl and his passion for gambling. On the other hand the "Horrible" British officer in the Patriot who kills poor old Mel's family was and still is, an English war hero who was known as a man of honour. I find that it is a shame when such a potentially good film with great actors, and a great writer - spoils itself by resorting to the fabrication of history which in my opinion is a greater crime than those portrayed in the film. Overall I would have to say I was disappointed.