Patriot

Theatrical Release Date: 2000 06 28 (USA)

UPC: 043396057319

Studio: Columbia TriStar

MPAA Rating: R   Contains:[Questionable for Children, War Violence]

Summary: 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. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Category: Historical Film

Awards: Best Cinematography – Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Best Score – Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Best Sound – Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Best Sound – Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Best Sound – Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Best Cinematography – American Society of Cinematographers

Features: Digitally mastered audio and anamorphic video
Widescreen presentation
Commentary with director Roland Emmerich and producer Dean Devlin
Visual effects interactive featurette
"The Art of War" battlefield featurette
"The True Patriots" featurette
Conceptual art-to-film comparisons
Deleted scenes with optional commentary by filmmakers
Photo galleries
DVD-ROM web link
Theatrical trailers
Talent files
Interactive menus with animation
Production notes
Scene selections with motion images

Patriot

Format: DVD

Release Date: 10/24/2000

Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 Theatre Wide-Screen

Audio: DD5.1 Dolby Digital 5.1, DDS Dolby Digital Surround

Runtime: 165 Minutes

Sides: 1

Number of Discs: 1

Language(s) English,French

Subtitles: English,French

Region: USA & territories, Canada

Chapters: Side #1
0. Scene Selections
1. Start [10:59]
2. "We are at war." [6:57]
3. "Dear Thomas." [4:30]
4. Gabriel's homecoming [3:33]
5. Colonel Tavington [4:03]
6. The rules of war [6:36]
7. Gabriel's rescue [11:26]
8. Battle of Camden [:43]
9. Colonel Martin [3:09]
10. A gentleman & a butcher [3:33]
11. An announcement [1:58]
12. Militia recruitment [4:35]
13. Accuracy & precision [4:05]
14. No prisoners [1:17]
15. Fireworks [5:46]
16. King's Highway skirmish [6:19]
17. Fort Wilderness [3:15]
18. Cornwallis & The Ghost [5:05]
19. "I'm going to kill you." [4:25]
20. Charlotte's plantation [3:33]
21. The wedding [2:02]
22. Addressing the village [7:36]
23. "Burn the church." [5:12]
24. Gabriel's revenge [6:57]
25. Battle of Cowpens [1:57]
26. The Ghost vs. The Butcher [5:01]
27. Yorktown, 1781 [16:16]
28. A whole new world [7:29]

Karl Williams

Although this war epic covers perhaps too much territory -- both historical and personal -- director Roland Emmerich keeps the pace buzzing and preserves his much-lauded skill at seamlessly blending sweeping vistas with cutting-edge, digital special effects. Traveling much the same narrative ground as he did in his Oscar-winning Braveheart (1995), Mel Gibson once again assays the role of a humble farmer drawn irrevocably against his will into a political conflict during which he proceeds to unleash a torrent of violent fury and strategic skill. Although Gibson's Ben Martin is more of a character type than a character, the actor portrays him with the same steely resolve and glint of good humor that made his William Wallace an international favorite. Co-star Jason Isaacs sinks his teeth into the part of the evil, atrocity-committing Colonel Tavington, a role that stirred up controversy in the United Kingdom for its cartoon-like villainy. The Patriot meanders down the paths of too many subplots, which detract from the film's main action, but the satisfying climax ties all the loose ends up neatly with a slam-bang finish that smacks of as much historical accuracy as Hollywood is able to muster in modern times. Although screenwriter Robert Rodat intended the film to be a portrait of legendary real-life guerrilla leader Francis "The Swamp Fox" Marion, later drafts of the script excised most of the textbook figures in favor of fictionalized heroics designed to make Gibson's character more sympathetic than the controversial Marion. ~ Karl Williams, Rovi

Cast and Crew: Beatrice Bush  Actor 
Shannon Eubanks  Actor 
Dean Devlin  Producer 
Roland Emmerich  Director 
Roland Emmerich  Executive Producer 
Ute Emmerich  Executive Producer 
William Fay  Executive Producer 
Mark Gordon  Producer 
John Williams  Composer (Music Score) 
Gary Levinsohn  Producer 
Robert Rodat  Screenwriter 
Mel Gibson  Actor 
Heath Ledger  Actor 
Joely Richardson  Actor 
Jason Isaacs  Actor 
Chris Cooper  Actor 
Tchéky Karyo  Actor 
René Auberjonois  Actor 
Lisa Brenner  Actor 
Tom Wilkinson  Actor 
Donal Logue  Actor 
Leon Rippy  Actor 
Adam Baldwin  Actor 
Gregory Smith  Actor 
Mika Boorem  Actor 
Skye McCole Bartusiak  Actor 
Trevor Morgan  Actor 
Joey D. Vieira  Actor 
Jay Arlen Jones  Actor 

Country: USA