History Professor Breaks Down "The Patriot" / Reel History
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 2 ส.ค. 2021
- Join History Professor Jared Frederick for a lively analysis of the 2000 Mel Gibson action-drama "The Patriot." Set in Revolutionary War South Carolina, the film is a highly entertaining period piece. But how does the movie rate on historical accuracy?
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Reel History delves into historical films to separate fact from fiction. These engaging episodes explore, contextualize, and clarify stories related to the most famous historical movies. In contrast to the more prevalent "reaction" videos, these installments seek not only to entertain but to educate and inform. For host Jared Frederick and producer Andrew Collins, these episodes are a labor of love and a means of expressing passion for the past as well as cinema. Courteous viewer feedback is always welcome. The views expressed are our own and do not necessarily represent our employers or organizations with which we are involved.
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I'll add while I'm thinking about it, the Dragoons jackets were actually all green, not just trimmed in the color. If you want to follow along with behind the scenes and extra tidbits, follow us on Facebook and Instagram at Reelhistory1944.
Would you say popular, yet historically inaccurate films play a big role in people's misunderstanding and myths today?
Will you be doing Turn? That was a great show on AMC
They didn't want it to devolve into a political commentary
I don't know that I'd consider Bannistre Tarelton a reliable witness, especially in relation to his own conduct during the war.
He'd also be acutely aware that how he comported himself on the battlefield, as well as how history would record his actions, and his misdeeds. If he didn't seize the opportunity to rehabilitate his own image. Casting himself in a better light. His name and his family's name, would be damaged, his reputation as an officer and gentleman would be destroyed, for all posterity. This is a time where name and reputation, are paramount to obtaining land, wealth, power, and influence.
Which would have destroyed any chance he might have had at becoming a member of Parliament. Which he did in the post war years.
I'm not saying, he was as brutal as is depicted, but that he may have glossed over a more problematic history.
Don't forget the accents in the American Revolution was all wrong the accents of the American Colonies sounded like Irish or county down. England John Adams HBO got the accents correct.
Do a reaction to Master and Commander, a great historical naval film!
One of my favourites 👍
Good idea!
maybe the most historically accurate movie of the age of sail.
Oh yeah, it's superb :-)
Concur!
So is the Patriot more or less accurate than Braveheart, because Braveheart is like 5% historically accurate.
Patriot probably gets a 10% then, and the only reason for the mark up is that they at least got the clothing and uniforms somewhat accurate
@@philliphampton5183 they used that as an excuse to slap a misnamed 'Smithsonian praise for historical accuracy' DVD extra on the box, and only when you watch do you realise its for costume and set design, not for the film's content 😆
Both films entertain me but I would cite neither in a historical debate.
The most historically accurate film Gibson has worked on is, aside from Mad Max, The Passion, where the English kill Jesus.
What?
*Flees Flying Beer Cans*
No, the Patriot is about the same for accuracy.
If I could change this movie, I would make it more about the civil war in South Carolina between Loyalists and Patriots. Instead of having Tavington as the primary antagonist, I would upgrade Captain James Wilkins (Adam Baldwin's character) as the main antagonist. I would have him be a leader of a Loyalist militia unit and establish him as a longtime rival of Martin. It would make the film more personal and establish the complexity of the Revolution. Even better, have his character not be a slave owner (there were a few in the Carolinas) and have him call Martin and other slave owning Patriots hypocrites (my Martin is a slave owner). It would force audiences to decide who or what is good or bad, in a conflict that is generally portrayed as Patriots good, British/Loyalists bad.
Apocalypto, Bravehart, The Patriot, We Were Soldiers, and Hacksaw Ridge all takes place in the Mel Gibson cinematic universe.
Lol great comment made me laugh. But you missed three other historical films he's been involved in
What about the 1995's Pocahontas cartoon movie? Mel Gibson was the voice of John Smith in that movie.
Tarleton was from my home city of Liverpool and a strong supporter of slavery due to it being the family business. He later ended up as MP for the city and voted against abolition attempts. He remained in the army for some time and might even have served in the napoleonic wars, but had a habit of annoying powerful people, including the Duke of Wellington so never saw active service again
Tarleton is the villain in the Wilberforce bio movie "Amazing Grace," as he led the anti-slavery forces in parliament, and is played by the ever reliable Ciarán Hinds.
@@sartanawillpay7977 Thanks! Someone mentioned it! Played by a great character actor who should not have been killed off in Game of Thrones. No, not that one, the other one. That one.
@@DoctorX101 Still alive in the books!
This guy is great! Love to see a young history professor doing great presentations! The men who taught me in college were 65-80years old before they were this good!
Thanks! It's always great to know this channel is making an impact.
Banastre Tarleton rose to rank of lieutenant-general in 1801 and received brevet rank of general in 1812. In 1792 he was only 38 years old, and distinguished commander in the American War, when the French Revolutionary Wars started. By 1808 Tarleton was hoping to command British Army during the Peninsular War, but eventually lost the opportunity to Arthur Wellesley, the future Duke of Wellington.
The Professor should do "Waterloo" 1970 .... Pretty Accurate Film I'd say .... I've been to Waterloo!
I think Wellesley was a better choice to send to Spain. If the butcher Tarleton was the best the Brits had to offer, they would have been in a heap of trouble, for there is no comparison between the butcher Tarleton and Marshal Soult, let alone Napoleon. It would have been child’s play for the French, though I doubt the Spanish would surrender without a fight.
As much as dislike much of this film it is one of the few that accurately shows the solid-shot cannon balls plowing through multiple ranks rather than exploding.
This is FOR SURE the funniest of all your videos (especially Mel Gibson and sons vs the Redcoats).
See the rent Gods and General videos!
No no no no no. 😂
Speaking of historical movies with entirely fictional casts I really hope you do a video on Master and Commander, it's one of the few instances of this being done right.
I always think while watching this film that Mel Gibson is motivated by revenge more than patriotism.
Indeed!
Yeah I have seen the movie a few times and I always think of it as a revenge flick more than being about patriotism or a history movie
He really doesn't like the English very much, but considering some of his other opinions I consider that a badge of honour.
As most were
Should do Roland Emmerich's historical redemption film Midway
I like the movie, but dislike the statement at the end honoring the japanese sailors. Emmerich glosses over the torture the Japanese inflicted on captured American pilots and crew. The scene where they kick the gunner overboard tied to an anchor is basically true, but they tortured him and his pilot for days beforehand.
@@gdelan1 You got that from History Buffs .... But yeah, Japanese Imperial Forces were just as bad as the Nazis, maybe worse!
@@gdelan1 They did it as revenge after they lost 4 fleet carriers, and what of it? You think the allied never committed war crimes? They won the war because of them.
Mel Gibson's character is based (loosely) on several historical people, including General Francis Marion, the famous Swamp Fox. (Who is buried about 20 miles from where I grew up.) The scenes at the old mission were filmed at Cyprus Gardens in Moncks Corner, SC. The mission ruins states on display until they were destroyed by a hurricane.
I love that this was your first R rated movie you saw in theaters. My dad took me to see Gladiator as my first R rated movie in theaters. I'll never forget the opening scene to that movie.
Benedict Arnold won the battle of Saratoga, by disobeying Gates' orders. Gates took the credit for Arnold's actions, which was the beginning of Arnold's disenchantment with the colonial cause.
When I was student teaching I did a lesson for a 7th grade classroom on the Battle of Cowpens.
Used a clip from this movie to set the stage. For it's historical faults... it's still an engaging movie.
We went into some of those historical inaccuracies in the lesson, but man do I wish I had this video back then.
How did I just find this content after 15 years of TH-cam? It’s awesome. Band of Brother breakdown… amazing
Really enjoy these breakdowns, thanks!
Fun fact, the Battle of Cowpens was actually based on a mix of real life Cowpens and the Battle of Guilford Court House, where there actually _WAS_ a ruin of an old building 🙂
I had an American Heritage History book as a kid in the early 60's and they called it the Battle of Hannah's Cowpens. I wonder why?
@@jamesalexander5623 probably because the people who owned the cow pen were named Hannah....
You serious?
It was actually British against British.
Notice how the kids aren't any older at the end of the movie even though several years have gone by?
Mel Gibson films may not be historically accurate, but in terms of Braveheart and the Patriot, I still think they are decent flicks. The Bounty is great as well although more accurate historically.
In reading bios of Washington & Lafayette one gets the impression that there were divided loyalties throughout the colonies given the issues with Continental Congress “currency”
This movie came out when I was 18 years old. I had already joined the USAF and was waiting to ship out to basic at the end of that summer. I went to see it in the theater and came out full of American patriotism, and ready to go off to serve my country. Oh, to be young again lol
I'm pretty sure that the big house that is depicted (with redcoats surrendering) in Yorktown is supposed to be the Nelson House- an actual house that was Cornwallis' headquarters and bombarded by Washington's artillery. The house is still there and interpreted by the National Park Service.
Hey Jared, love your videos, great work. Especially liked your film on "The Pacific". Can't wait
for part two. To the current story, I would say that a historical film it is most certainly not,
but sometimes I don't want a history lesson, just a good story. Keep up the good work and
keep the jarhead out of the crayons.
Missed an opportunity to poke fun at the best one liner in the film. "It's a free country, or at least it will be" 😆 🤣 😂
43:40 you are correct that Tarleton was actually the ranking officer at the Battle of It is a well-known fact that the movie combines both the Battle of Guilford house and Cowpens together they made the victory to the Americans yet the location and the presence of Cornwallis was more Guilford house.
When I started my first module on American History in my first year of university, my professor said this movie did for history what godzilla did for biology
I really enjoyed watching this and was enlightened by the difference between Hollywood's interpretation and the actual real facts about the battles that occurred.Thanks Jarod for telling it like it happened..Good job
After watching this movie I was blown away by the accuracy of the muskets, hitting moving targets on horseback... Just amazing!
Yeah, it was fun but also absolutely ridiculous 😂
I’d love to see the breakdown of Memphis Belle from the 90s. One of my favorites.
Yeah that's a great film👍 it's kinda forgotten nowadays but I remember seeing it when I was a kid with my grandfather. Thanks for mentioning it.
@@garrisonnichols807 Showed it to my undergrad classmates once and they were glued to the television. I almost couldn't believe how much they were checked in, but it is a great film so it makes sense.
how about 12 oclock high??????????gregory peck dan durea
39:50 I disagree with you again over the scene where Martin's on the horse with the American flag. The scene was not about revenge. when Martin holds the flag of his hand and sees that his son Gabriel stitched it that meant Martin realized that it meant really a lot to his son. And he wanted to honor his son( even though he died) with fighting for what he believed in. You are definitely right about one thing Gabriel was the real Patriot in the film Gabriel and his wife. The film is really about them and how they were willing to do anything for their beliefs
are you serious. facepalm
Really enjoy your videos! Good stuff! Keep it coming!
Thanks!
I’ve been to Cowpens. The scale is so far off here as to the size of the field. If I recall, the colonials only had 2 cannon. I may be wrong on that point though as it’s been 20 years since I’ve been there. I do remember in this battle the Colonials did get the British in double envelopment.
The preacher was played by Rene Auberjonois who came to fame playing another clergyman, Father Mulcahy in the movie MASH.
So I've just discovered your channel. I really appreciate your knowledge and perspective. You've invoked Sons of Liberty a few times in this episode, I feel that you should review it since your so passionate about the miniseries. The casting of Ben Barnes alone buts the " Liberty" in "Son's of Liberty".
Thank you for another excellent analysis. I did notice though that the battle of Guilford Courthouse was in fact a British victory.
there were however studies that concluded from the saber and bayonet wounds inflicted upon surrendering troops at Waxaw were considerably higher than the rest of surrendering troops through the war concludes Tarleton very much ordred the bayonetting and butchering of surrendering soldiers. He wasn't as chivalrous as you think.
When I saw this during its release, the entire theater was laughing hysterically at the scene when Mel kills the Brit by spearing him with the colonies flag.
Gibson is basically an adolescent down some political rabbit hole. He understand propaganda better than movie making.
I only watched the first third of this when it came out because I couldn't bear to watch it for too long; it was indeed an American Braveheart. The lack of loyalists was glaring, but I've noticed this with a few films and programmes about this period. I appreciate your point that it was a civil war because it set neighbour against neighbour, I should have realised this before but it escaped me until listening to your commentary.
Talented dramatists and screenwriters could make something really compelling if they really tried to represent the true historial situation.
It is a very good looking film, but a wasted opportunity to make something really worthwhile rather than a comic book spectacle and rabble rouser. I like your mention during the video that at times it was "historically horrific" and "almost immoral" with regard to its portrayal of slavery. That might also be said of other incidents in the film, and its portrayal of the British is scandalous. What worries me is that a lot of people get their understanding of history from rubbish like this.
Thanks for your thoughtful observations! Indeed--a good movie with very bad history.
Scandalous? You do realize that over 20,000 Americans, both military and civilian died in the prison hulks in New York Harbor.
it’s one story among many largely for entertainment. let me know when YOUR movie comes out - i promise i’ll watch the whole thing before I criticize it.
@@David-yv6ow I wasn't entertained.
Wish there were more big budget films of this era, I only know of Patriot, John Adams, Turn. You would think that the founding of our country, something that we all learned about in grade school, would have more interest than a History channel mini series.
Just discovered your channel due to the John Adams reaction. Absolutely love your content.
Thanks!
@@ReelHistorythe sheer number of "Nos" is hilarious
I've been binge-watching your videos for a few days now keep up the good work If I could suggest something for you to review it would be AMC's TV show titled "turn" about Washington spies
After this movie came out I read a very interesting article that reminded people that the director of The Patriot, Roland Emmerich, is German. The article posited that The Patriot was actually Emmerich's way of rebranding American history to make the British the same kind of bad guys that the Nazis were - thereby making the argument that whatever evil the Nazis did, the British did first. Only issue with that is that the British NEVER locked townspeople in a church and set it on fire. But do you know who did exactly that? The Nazis.
After I read that article this stupid movie made sense. Emmerich was trying to craft a movie, made up of absolute lies, that would absolve Germany of some of its stain by claiming falsely that hey, the British were just as bad during the American Revolution.
I'm glad I've found someone else who understands just how farcical this movie is.
Although critically panned, I've always liked the film "Revolution" starring Al Pacino. It's worth at least a mention of historical films about the American Revolution. While a period piece, I believe it is often misunderstood. It's not meant to give a birds-eye "message" view about the Revolution, it's meant to be the story of one person caught up in the period and the events. In that sense, I believe it's worth a watch and in some contexts well-done. The differing interests and characters in the film give a good sense of the variety of people involved in the historical events, and their motivations and thoughts more often than not were limited to the banal or pecuniary. In this sense, the film does better than most historical period pieces; most often the people caught up in historical events give little thought to the "historical significance" of their own time.
It is an interesting visual film and not bad at all on production quality, but we care not for the meandering narrative.
Wasn't Benedict Arnold more the hero of Saratoga than Gates?
Yep!
Great video! There are things in here I've been waiting for someone to say and things I'd never heard before. I hope most people are aware that Martin not owning slaves is unlikely, but I don't think as many are aware of how egregious that is in South Carolina in particular, especially since no one in the story even finds it odd! The historical basis of the fight between William Washington and Banastre Tarleton was completely new to me and something I need to learn more about.
It's wild that people are still tearing this movie apart 20+ years after its release, but as long as it's still being referenced by overworked high school history teachers who don't have the time--or in some states, the freedom--to unpack everything wrong with it, it's necessary!
Just noticed a difference between the American and British cuts of the film here (its very minor sorry, much as I wish the ending was different 😆). At 41.08 or so, the French flag is some sort of jury rigged 'regimental colour' which manages to get a version of the modern French flag into the shot (the blue white red tricolour) into the shot, while covering it with fleur de lys , in the British version its the Royal gold Fleurs de Lys on white.
Interesting!
Nick (History Buffs): screams and gets angry about this movie, Chris (VTH): Comments on the fun facts and real history around the movie, Dr Frederick: Chill and cozy laughing and commenting. The trinity of Patriot's reviews
American Braveheart exactly.
Interesting - I just looked at the original screenplay and Rodat actually named Chris Coopers character Lee and Mel Gibson's character Marion in the screenplay text.
Im a filmmaker who loves history and you're a historian that seems to have an appreciation for the art of filmmaking. Im 30 minutes in and this is fascinating stuff! From what I can tell, the filmmakers prioritized engaging story telling as they should but also demonstrated some understanding of the history. The green in the dragoons jackets for example to me illustrates they knew about the green jackets but for the sake of story telling without spending more time on explanation decided to keep them red and have some green represented. Cornwallis holds his soldiers to a standard of gentlemenly conduct but of course that doesn’t make for the most entertaining scenes.
Would you consider doing a review on Glory and the AMC series TURN ?- would love your insights
"Bigot with a Heart of Gold" is what that trope is called.
I live in SC, in Camden, and yes, I agree the movie got a lot of things wrong. The battle of Camden, for example, was fought in the woods and not in a field. However, not everyone here is nor were as racist as many like to believe. Here in Camden, we still have a house built by a free black man where he raised his family in town as a part of the community during the colonial period. There were others like him but we don't have their homes to visit. Also, at some plantations here in SC, the slave children did in fact play with the children of the plantation owners. Brattonsville in York County is one place you can go and find that this did happen at least during the colonial period. While most black folks here were enslaved during this time, most white folks did not participate in slavery and there were many who did not agree with it. There were certainly communities and sections where free black folks and white folks lived side by side, though this was not common, and I have not found any instance of this taking place in the low country at all. I think these facts go unnoticed and are overshadowed by the many atrocities that were committed here in the south during slavery and after.
This movie would have been much shorter if Mel Gibson and Zukov remembered that dualing was a thing back then
Hey Jared. I love history, I love film. My best friend since high school is a history teacher. I went to film school And I hate when Hollywood butchers history, and so does he. so we have some great conversations. we both I'm obsessed with World war II as well as the so-called Indian wars. Post civil war through 1890ish. I would love to see your interpretation and commentary of one of my favorite films, Dances with wolves. One of my dad's favorite films I will fight no more forever. also, two of my favorite World war two films Midway the original not the piece of crap remake and Tora, Tora, Tora. I truly enjoy your channel thank you so much.
Love the comment, I agree everywhere, except this is what Hollywood is, a butcher of history. Tavington level butcher. Lol
Actually most Historians credit the newer version of Midway as being pretty accurate.
I've seen both and the original Midway was really lacking. Maybe it was the budget but I just think that it comes back to peoples nostalgia of old movies.
Another great civil war film is Andersonville, base on the confederate pow camp.
What are some good books about the Amrican revaluationary war would you suggest?
When you mentioned it was an American Braveheart, I actually thought that's what this movie conjured up in my mind. The movie is entertaining, but highly inaccurate and a Mel Gibson "over the top" special. I almost expected him to pull out his broadsword at the end and hack up everyone.
Jared I’ve been subscribed for a while and have enjoyed all of the videos I’ve watched.
I find it hard to believe you don’t get more views, especially from US viewers.
Thanks. Same! We're steadily growing a larger audience though.
Thanks so much for doing such a great job on Band of Brothers! For us Marine families, would you please also do The Pacific? 😍🙏🏻
My first R rated movie was the great historical movie Used Cars with Kurt Russell. Amazing insight into the automotive industry.
Not taking any sides, as im not European nor American. But i really really feel like The Patriot is very "Anti-British" or "Anti-Red Coat" (because of the time) I first watched this movie when i was 13/14 and always thought "Why are the British just...dying?" I get the British lost but if the Americans, or Colonials, fought like this like they do in the movie then the war would of been over in about a month, maybe the whole of the British Empire could of fallen as well lol.
TBH I'd love to see another movie based around this time that takes a neutral stance, showing us both sides with wins and loses. I also wanna see a new Arthur Wellesley movie
Tf are you talking about??? The movie literally shows the British victory of Camden and Charleston, as well as the creek battle scene and GW battle scene montage with Britain winning. Stop whining
I would disagree with the notion that wounded soldiers were more often than not given medical care by the enemy. That is certainly not the case. Often times (especially amongst battles involving native tribes) the victor would kill any soldiers wounded on the battlefield that remained. This was quite common practice. The cinematic nature of the farmhouse slaughter is probably not accurate but killing wounded soldiers was not uncommon. Also to add, Horatio Gates was not the true victor of Saratoga as you suggest he had indeed gone toe to toe with the British and won. He was the commander but I think most historians would agree that Skyler and Arnold should deserve most credit for that victory as well as placing plenty of blame on Burgoyne. Your statement that "in many cases the continentals had fought on the British terms of field of battle and many times won" is extremely inaccurate. The vast majority of those encounters were won by the British.
I knew historians hate this movie, but I had no idea it was this bad.
A well delivered deconstruction of the farce and fallacy of, “The Patriot.” This movie did a disservice to the American and British Soldiers who fought, and bled, and died some 240 yrs ago. The depiction of chattel slavery in the Americas as some sort of agreement (WTF?) is especially sickening.
Thanks! We agree
In Roland Emmerich's epic autobiographical movie, he will doubtless explore the shallows of our world as a world-renowned historical docu-drama filmmaker who, of course, causes world peace.
"Historical fiction" heavy on the "fiction".
It has a historical setting.
That’s about it.
mels character is based some what on the real life American patriot known as the swamp fox
The popular film The Patriot is loosely based on the exploits of several real life historical figures including a British officer, Lt. Col. Banstre Tarleton and several American patriots: the "Swamp Fox," Francis Marion, Daniel Morgan, Elijah Clark, Thomas Sumter and Andrew Pickens.
In "The Patriot," Mel Gibson plays Benjamin Martin, a militia leader based largely on Francis Marion, the famed "Swamp Fox," whose guerrilla tactics helped keep the war alive in South Carolina, where conventional solders on the colonialists' side were not faring well.
I really liked this video - thank you. The Patriot is so appallingly inaccurate/offensive it must have been hard to keep the video down to under an hour. Just a clarification - the Patriots actually lost the battle of Guilford Courthouse. The British/loyalists won, though outnumbered more than 2 to 1, but the victory was a pyrrhic one as the casualties sustained forced Cornwallis to stop chasing Greene's army. However, by the standards of the day, the Rebels were driven from the field and lost the battle. Greene lost all of his battles, even though his army outnumbered the British in each of them, but won the war in the south. The only clearcut Patriot victory in the south over British regular soldiers was Cowpens where the superb Morgan outsmarted Tarleton.
Nathaniel Green was probably the third best general the US had. He understood that Cornwallis did not have enough men, particularly after Kings Mountain and Altamaha Ford and instead of chasing Cornwallis to Yorktown marched South. Took Augusta and forced the British to withdraw from Ninety Six. Leaving the UK controlling Charleston, Savannah and Beaufort Island as opposed to a year earlier where they controlled the Carolinas and Georgia. "We fight, get beat, rise and fight again". Cornwallis campaign was our Vietnam. We did not have enough men, and stretched ourselves too thinly. Greene understood the strategic situation in a way Cornwallis did not.
I can't believe how old this movie is. Saw it in theaters with my dad
Would love to see your analysis of another Roland Emmerich film, Midway (2019)
Talking about American Revolution films/series, have you watched Turn: Washington's Spies? It's more of a dramaseries set during the time, but there are some historical figures and events mixed into it
I was doing grad work at Winthrop University in Rock Hill, SC in 2004. I remember touring many sites like Waxhaws and King’s Mountain with my professor Rory Cornish. I remember him ripping this film apart, although he was Irish so he appreciated the awful depiction of the British soldiers. Lol. Great review BTW; love this channel.
Ha! I have the same shirt. Ft. Frederick is one of my favorite sites in the area.
Mel Gibson never was one to mind overmuch about the inaccuracies in his historical epics. That being said, I've seen them all, and enjoyed them as well.
I see this movie as more of passing of the torch of the older Aussie star Mel Gibson, even though he was born in the states, to the young Heath Ledger and they used the backdrop of the Revolution to do that. Because of the many problems you bring up makes this a more entertaining review. It took me years to realize it was Donal Logue in Gettysburg as Ellis Spear.
Interesting take on the passing of the torch for sure.
@@ReelHistory Lord Charles Cornwallis after losing at Yorktown to Geroge Washington and after American Revolution came to a end was later sent to India and became comander and chief of Brtish India. In February of 1786 . And Governor General his loss in America didn't effect his popularity and when he returned to England the public gave him a heros welcome. The English government didn't blame him for America either. Cornwallis was given Supreme milltary comand and cvil control something he didn't have in America. Cornwallis officially arrived in India on August 22 1786 and made reforms to help the East India Trading Company rule of India better he reduced nepotism instituted merit based advancement in the East India Trading Company abolished child slavery. He passed a series of acts know as the Cornwallis codes which pretty much legalized Systematic racism during Brtish rule in India. And In the cvil service. He defeated Tipu Sultan in the 3rd Anglo Mysore war the Mysore ruler and took half his territory. There a famous picture of Cornwallis accepting Tipus young sons as Prisoners of war. Tipu and his dad Hyder Ali supported the American colonies. And Tipu knew about Yorktown and Cornwallis defeat. So Cornwallis winning in India in the 3rd Anglo Mysore war defeating Tipu. Made up for his loss in America.
Your 1st R rated! I remember mine. We have a long history of service so my Dad took me to see Apocalypse Now when it came out. Well. It was not what he expected, or me but I loved it.
Will you review Turn?
Logan Lehman, the blew my mind when you said it! I had to rewind and see if it was really him, there was now doubt that it was him!
Your videos are fantastic.
I would love to take one of your classes.
It is perplexing to me why the history is so completely mangled in this movie. I guess some movies have to make use of traditional good vs evil tropes to feel like they are effectively rousing their audience, regardless of what it does to the history.
22:30 I disagree with you about gates. he did not win the Battle of saratoga. he only took the credit. Benedict Arnold Arnold won the battle. The fact that he lost the credit over probably the best victory of the American Revolutionary War was one the many reasons why Arnold actually betrayed the Colonials. Gates was incompetent.
It's an okay movie but would never lean on it for history. one thing i hate with a passion in movies like this are the hollywood trope of main protagonist and main antagonist always find one another on a chaotic battlefield, have a prolonged fight between them with no disruptions unless it is for a timely rescue. Also they dodge the slave ownership as a way of keeping the average audience member emotionally invested in Mel gibson's character. It would also have to take into consideration both american and british hands in slavery at the time. You would be amazed how many people i know who think england had abolished slavery for themselves by then. the average viewer does not have the willingness to accept the complexity in characters, which is why so many mediums of clear cut black and white good v evil is popular.
It's so sad how far the history Channel has fallen
Mel Gibson playing a heroic warrior who defied the English to free England from the English.
Cowpens was a take on a double development, not a defense in depth.
I've always felt I would have liked this movie way more if I had never seen Last of the Mohicans, Rob Roy or Glory before hand. All of the frontier scenes felt weak compared to Michael Mann's masterpiece, the large scale battles felt too Hollywoody compared to the battles of Glory and although I really like Jason Issacs as an actor, his officer felt like a cartoon villain compared to Tim Roth's great British antagonist in Rob Roy. This movie's script borrowed from a lot of previous efforts but never came close to improving on any of them.
The only thing I thought was good about this movie was the first realistic depiction of cannon balls thanks to the CGI. Before the Patriot, older battle adaptations like Glory or Sean Bean's Sharpe series never had the technology to safely show what a cannonball looked like ripping across an open field towards a group of men. The Patriot was the first time we got to see just how terrifying a weapon it really was.
you call this movie too hollywoody and Rob Roy isnt. And futhermore, just because you borrow something doesnt mean you have to improve it. Otherwise all movies are subject to this criticism.
Much like "Braveheart", even the title is wrong; Gabriel Martin is the actual patriot, Benjamin Martin is just out for petty revenge. Just like how Robert the Bruce was the actual braveheart.
It would be so much fun to see an April fool's version of a reaction like this to Star Wars
We did Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter this past April Fools Day
As someone who may be related to Nathaniel Greene I liked the last battle scene which I thought was just the Battle of Cowpens even though Greene was not at the battle of Cowpens
The American general at Cowpens was none other than the alpha, giga, sigma chad, Daniel Morgan.
Have you done a video on Das Boot?
Lol American braveheart is appropriate. It's dramatic, preachy, and bears little resemblance to what actually happened, though at least the costumes in the Patriot are vaguely reasonable, as opposed to Braveheart which is a historical disaster across the board.
I think you give Gates to much credit as a general. So far as I understand it, “his” victory at Saratoga was less the result of the efforts of Gates and more the result of the efforts of men like Benedict Arnold and Dan Morgan. He really didn’t do anything besides take credit
Fair assessment!
@@ReelHistory and considering how badly he lost at Camden and the fact Washingtion wanted someone else in command leans to that