Focus On Benjamin's Eldest Son Gabriel example essay topic

Patriot Cultural Assignment "The Patriot" is an excellent movie. It may very well be one of the most exciting and moving war-drama movies of all time. There are very few films today that even come close to touching upon the American Revolution, which is why "The Patriot" is of such importance. Nonetheless, during the film the actual American Revolution takes a back seat and allows the center of the story to revolve around Benjamin Martin (played by Mel Gibson) and his South Carolina family. Some examples of this would be the focus on Benjamin's eldest son Gabriel and how he goes against his father's wishes. As well as Gabriel, the film focuses on Benjamin and what actions he takes and why.

Aside from the focus on the Martin family, there was inaccuracy at times about the American Revolutionary War itself. "The Patriot" should have been more focused on the actual American Revolution than on the story line concerning Benjamin Martin and his family. Instead of doing this, the movie focuses on Benjamin's eldest son Gabriel who was eager to get in on the action, and signs up with the rebel forces against his father's wishes just minutes after South Carolina joins the fight against the British. As the focus on Gabriel continues, he soon romances a local girl in a small town he passes through. He later falls in love with the girl and they begin writing to each other while he is away.

When Gabriel returns to the town he has found out that everyone had been burned alive inside the church under the order of the evil British General Cornwallis. This fuels the fire for Gabriel and makes him more determined to fight and seek revenge. After the focus is off of Gabriel it is shifted to Benjamin. Since he remembers his own bloody experience from the French & Indian War, Benjamin is reluctant to have any part of this conflict. At first, Benjamin tries to convince others to resolve this peacefully and not to fight. He refuses to fight because he would rather care for his family and remain to farm with his slaves.

Soon after this, Benjamin joins the fight himself, his loyalty to his eldest son first draws him into the fight. After his son is captured and is almost killed by the British Benjamin fights to save his son. Later, Benjamin becomes a bloody British killing machine out to give meaning to as well as revenge for the unjustly death of one of his younger sons. Benjamin and his families motivation for war does seem historically correct. Any family will fight when its for the right cause and right reason. Throughout to course of the movie there were a few inaccurate historical facts that were brought to my attention that the average movie watcher may or may not have noticed.

The main characters were not based on real combat soldiers from the American Revolution. There really were members of the British army who wanted to bring death to all Americans like General Cornwallis, but not all felt this way. In fairness to the British, there were American commanders and generals that were equally vindictive and worse in bringing death. Another factor that came to mind is that how could a small militia made up of untrained, underfed, poorly supplied and clothed peasants and slaves do so well against the red coats. It seems to be unrealistic that when offered their freedom the slaves and others would stay and fight. In conclusion "The Patriot" is excellent.

There is some historical value to this movie despite the fact that the focus of the film was not all about the American Revolution, but about the Martin family and what effect the war had on them. Even though some things about the war throughout the film were incorrect, a great deal of effort was put into this film and it shows.