It's not a documentary, folks

Rating: 10/10 (2 January 2003)

Mel Gibson laid himself on the line emotionally in this film, as the father caught between his need to nurture and protect his family and the deep well of savagery he has subjugated years before. This is brought to a test by the pressure of the Revolution finally appearing literally at his doorstep. I think he is wonderful in this film. Acting kudoes should also have gone to Heath Ledger, Tom Wilkinson and Jason Isaacs, as well as numerous other character actors in the film. People have quibbled about the historical accuracy, but this was made as a fictional story about a family during the American Revolution, not a documentary. In little details they were scrupulous as to accuracy. Mel's fictional character was BASED ON a composite of three separate people in real life, including Frances Marion, "The Swamp Fox". The battle at the end was BASED ON a composite of two different battles, one of them being Cowpens. I didn't expect to care much for this movie, ordinarily being more interested in the Civil War than the Revolutionary War, but found this story very compelling. In my humble opinion movies made today have to have unbelievable action in them to satisfy 95% of the movie-going public and they usually require a great leap of faith somewhere in the film during an action scene, sometimes more than once. ("Well, that was impossible in real life, but we'll just ignore that and move on"). I've heard and read complaints about scenes in this film that were sort of unbelievable, too, but I think that this film was no different in that respect from many others I've seen that are considered wonderful movies. Evidently because it's placed in an historical context they consider this a major flaw but again I feel they are expecting a documentary and not a movie. I went back to see this movie 3 or 4 times and dragged different friends and family every time who all went out afterwards raving about what a great movie it was. I got the DVD for Christmas. I have minor complaints, like some anachronistic phrases sprinkled throughout during humorous scenes. But these are so minor. I still think it's a fantastic movie.