Hollywood & Historic Validity: Mel Gibsons Film The Patriot & The Revolutionary War
The Mel Gibson movie, "The Patriot" attempts to depict events surrounding the American Revolutionary War. Although it does succeed in properly portraying the locations, costumes, and knowledge of the period, it fails on many levels. It does not fairly portray both sides of the conflict and glosses over many key factors, which lead to the conflict. Few of the British government's regulatory/political actions are fully explained and the viewer is erroneously left with the impression that the war was a battle for American family values.