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The Patriot: Does It Offend Brits?
I asked this question in an online forum. Two British people responded.
“The film mainly takes place in South Carolina (and was entirely filmed there) and depicts the story of a war hero swept into the American Revolutionary War when his family is threatened. The protagonist, Benjamin Martin, is loosely based on real Continental Army officer Francis Marion. The Patriot was nominated for three Academy Awards: Best Sound, Best Cinematography, and Best Original Music Score.”
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Patriot_(2000_film)
Responses:
Brian: I wasn’t. It was just another twisted view of history.
Heralda: Not really.
I mean we all know how ‘historically accurate’ Mel Gibson’s movies are. Take for example his movie ‘Braveheart’. Anyone with a smattering of historical knowledge of that time suppressed their urge to laugh and just sat back and indulged in the fantasy world Gibson’s movie created.
Movies are just entertainment. If they reflected real life they would be boring, so you have to allow for some artistic licence. You also have to accept that in the past, (and even in the present day) your country’s leaders will have done things that are frowned on. I’m not happy that my country (Britain) is involved in immoral and illegal occupations of sovereign states. If in a hundred years someone writes a script that takes an Iraqi or Afghan perspective on these events, how can anyone say they can’t express themselves?
14 Comments
This was good. I like your idea – of asking questions on the forum and getting opinion from real people. Excellent.
It’s pointless to be offended by a film, but unfortunately not everyone does know their history well enough to know what’s real and what’s ‘hollywood’. Sometimes I get a bit frustrated when people who don’t know any better start quoting events out of Braveheart, The Patriot, Saving Private Ryan and many other films (especially WW2 films) as if they are real history!
I absolutely love this film and I’m British, but then I also love Mel Gibson and Heath Ledger.
Hollywood always plays fast and loose with history. The Patriot is no exception and historically inaccurate in many parts.
Great idea. I think the movie is just that…a movie. There are a lot of movies that offend my, but I dont watch them.
Not a Mel Gibson fan, but nice article.
Thanks,
Clay
Nice post. Have seen the film.
I haven’t seen the film, but yours really a good post
I have seen the film thrice or four times and I find it really nice and truthful. And your idea to ask opinion on forums is a great idea.
I thought The Patriot was an educational movie.
nice idea… like this film so much….
it did not offend me.. but Braveheart with all those bare assess did..
I enjoyed the movie… thanks for the review
this movie is heart-wrenching!