I have had the pleasure of viewing Mel Gibson's epic film of the American Revolution three times, and it is, in my opinion, a classic. This action packed film is more Hollywood than history but it has certainly helped to kindle some interest in America's War for Independence.

"The Patriot" primarily focuses on the battles in the southern colonies – South Carolina to be exact. Most Americans are unaware of the bitter and brutal fighting that took place in this theatre. In many ways it was a civil war between the colonists. Families were sometimes divided in their loyalties. This resulted in the most brutal kind of warfare in which quarter was rarely given.

In the movie Mel Gibson's character, Captain Benjamin Martin, had been a hero during the French and Indian War at a place called "Fort Wilderness." His experiences during that time are used to explain his initial reluctance to get actively in the fighting. Nonetheless his character is drawn into the conflict when his eldest son joins the Continental Army. Captain Martin declares war on the British Empire after a British officer, modeled after Lt. Col. Tarelton, commits an atrocity against Martin's family. This motivation is reminiscent of Gibson's portrayal of William Wallace in "Braveheart".

I won't go into all the details of the film, but I will tell you that the battle scenes are reasonably authentic thanks to the American Revolutionary War Reenactors and some excellent computer graphics. I must admit that the final battle, a combination of the battles of Guildford Courthouse and Cowpens, was stretching things a bit too far. Maybe one of these days Hollywood will get it right.

One other thing that I wish to mention is that Mel Gibson's character is a fictional composite of Francis Marion (The Swamp Fox), Col. Sumter (namesake of the famous fort), and another partisan leader named Davies. Personally I am of the belief that it would have been better if these historical figures had been represented in the film and Gibson's character had been portrayed as a contemporary of theirs.

If you haven't seen "The Patriot" yet then I recommend that you remedy this at your first opportunity. The movie will undoubtedly be available soon on videotape and DVD. Believe me, you will enjoy the film and it will whet your appetite for this period in American history.