Excellent movie

Rating: 9/10 (31 July 2000)

THE PATRIOT is an excellent movie with attention to historical detail in terms of dress, interiors, and modes of speaking. In terms of actual history, however, Hollywood has revised history to suit their script. For instance, the great battle at the end of the movie was supposed to be based on the Battle of Cowpens, but General Cornwallis was not at Cowpens. Banastre Tarleton was in charge of the British troops at Cowpens. Secondly, there was no ruined plantation mansion at Cowpens because it was literally an open range "cow pens," hence the name "Cowpens." Mel Gibson's character was supposed to be based on Francis Marion (the Swamp Fox), but again various liberties have been taken. The character of Tarington is based on Banastre Tarleton (a.k. The Butcher), but again another fictional character. Tarleton's Legion actually wore green uniforms with red trim. The King's Own Dragoons wore red uniforms with white trim. The attention to historical detail was great, but again various liberties were taken for the sake of Hollywood revisionism. Overall, THE PATRIOT is a great movie with great fight scenes and battles, but its revisions of history keep it from earning a "10" from me.