Roland
Emmerich and Dean Devlin, the director/producer team responsible for such
sci-fi blockbusters as Independence Day, Stargate, and Godzilla, take a step
back in time with this drama set during the American Revolution. Farmer
Benjamin Martin (Mel Gibson) was born and raised in South Carolina, and
fought bravely during the French-Indian wars. But since the death of his
wife, Benjamin has renounced violence and quietly tends his crops, raising
his seven children alone. In 1776, over Benjamin's objections, his oldest
son Gabriel (Heath Ledger) joins the fight against the British. Gabriel
returns from battle seriously wounded, with Lord General Cornwallis (Tom
Wilkinson) calling for his arrest. A skirmish breaks out on Benjamin's
plantation, and one of his children is killed as Gabriel is captured by Col.
Tavington (Jason Isaacs) and sentenced to hang. Benjamin sets aside his vow
of pacifism and rescues Gabriel; with the help of his former comrade-in-arms
Harry Burwell (Chris Cooper), the father and son form a regiment of Carolina
patriots whose cunning and ruthlessness make them heroes among the colonists
— and wanted men by British troops. Loosely adapted from the true story of
Francis Marion and filmed on location in South Carolina, The Patriot was the
first feature film made with the cooperation of the Smithsonian Institute,
who advised the producers on historical accuracy. Joely Richardson also
stars as Charlotte, Benjamin's sister-in-law who helps him care for the
children.| Mel Gibson | Benjamin Martin |
| Heath Ledger | Gabriel Martin |
| Joely Richardson | Charlotte Selton |
| Jason Isaacs | Colonel William Tavington |
| Chris Cooper | Colonel Harry Burwell |
| Tchéky Karyo | Major Jean Villeneuve |
| René Auberjonois | Rev. Oliver |
| Lisa Brenner | Anne Howard |
| Tom Wilkinson | Charles Cornwallis |
| Donal Logue | Dan Scott |
| Leon Rippy | John Billings |
| Adam Baldwin | Loyalist/Captain Wilkins |
| Gregory Smith | Thomas Martin |
| Mika Boorem | Margaret Martin |
| Skye McCole Bartusiak | Susan Martin |
| Trevor Morgan | Nathan Martin |
| Joey D. Vieira | Peter Howard |
| Jay Arlen Jones | Occam |
| Beatrice Bush | Abigale |
Genre/Type - Historical Film, Period Film, Historical Epic
Produced by - Centropolis Entertainment / Columbia Pictures /
Mutual Film Company
Release - Jun 28, 2000 (USA)
Released by - Sony Pictures Entertainment
Running time - 164 min.
1776, or The Hessian Renegades (1909, D.W. Griffith)
Revolution (1985, Hugh Hudson)
America (1924, D.W. Griffith)
Glory (1989, Edward Zwick)
The Rebels (1979, Russ Mayberry)
Gettysburg (1993, Ronald F. Maxwell)
Braveheart (1995, Mel Gibson)
Ride With the Devil (1999, Ang Lee)