Intelligent and thoughtful script

Rating: 10/10 (21 March 2006)

This is not a review of the movie... It is a 10 and any direct comment on it might end up change your point of view. So I thought I'd comment on the notion that this movie is "anti-American" or anti-democratic.
It amazes me how, as Americans, we can be so self-righteous and patriotic about our independent rebellious nature and yet condemn this movie. This movie is about fighting totalitarianism, fascism, and in defense of fundamental rights. Replace the homosexual references with Jews and the fascist government with Nazi Germany and this movie would have been unquestionably received as truly American in the late 1940's and early 1950's. The following is a US history timeline that should not be forgotten:
1770 - Boston Massacre: British troops sent to Boston to maintain order and to enforce the Townshend Acts. The troops, constantly tormented by "gangs", finally (Mar. 5, 1770) fired into a rioting crowd and killed five menthree on the spot, two of wounds later. The funeral of the victims was the occasion for a great patriot demonstration. (BTW - John Adams represented the defense for the British Capt. Thomas Preston)
1773 - Boston Tea Party: A group of indignant colonists, led by Samuel Adams, Paul Revere, and others, disguised themselves as Native Americans, boarded merchant ships on the night of Dec. 16, 1773, and dumped forty-five tons of tea into the Boston Harbor. (Today's commercial value of tea is about $1/oz... 16 oz in a lb... 2000 lbs in a short ton... So the "Sons of Liberty" dumped over $1.44 million worth of tea.)
1775 - Lexington & Concord: The Boston British commander, Gen. Thomas Gage, wanted to avoid armed rebellion. He sent a column of royal infantry from Boston to capture colonial military stores at Concord. When Major John Pitcairn's infantry reached Lexington, they came upon a group of militia (the Minutemen). The initial armed standoff quickly turned violent. After a brief exchange of shots in which several Americans were killed, the colonials (Minutemen) withdrew, and the British continued to Concord. Upon return to Boston, the British infantry was harried by the Minutemen in a manner considered uncivilized. The Minutemen attacked from behind trees and rocks and then broke off the attack before the British infantry could rally.
Other actions taken on by revolutionaries against opposition - Loyalist or Tories (especially government officials) were tarred and feather, homes were vandalized, burned in effigy, threatened, harassed and ridiculed.
How about some famous American quotes:
*No taxation without representation *Live free or die *Is life so dear or peace so sweet as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take, but as for me, give me liberty, or give me death!

Patrick Henry *I have sworn upon the altar of God, eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man. - Jefferson *Revolution was effected before the war commenced. The Revolution was in the minds and hearts of the people . . . . This radical change in the principles, opinions, sentiments, and affections of the people was the real American Revolution. - John Adams *Don't interfere with anything in the Constitution. That must be maintained, for it is the only safeguard of our liberties. - Lincoln *Fear is the foundation of most governments; but it is so sordid and brutal a passion, and renders men in whose breasts it predominates so stupid and miserable, that Americans will not be likely to approve of any political institution which is founded on it. - John Adams *Those who deny freedom to others, deserve it not for themselves; and, under a just God, can not long retain it. - Lincoln *The liberties of a people never were, nor ever will be, secure, when the transactions of their rulers may be concealed from them. - Patrick Henry *I regret that I have but one life to give for my country. -Nathan Hale, hung as a spy by the British at the age of twenty one, Sept. 21, 1776 *Necessity is the plea for every infringement of human freedom. It is the argument of tyrants; it is the creed of slaves. - William Pitt, English Prime Minister - Nov. 18, 1783