After proving himself on the field of battle in the French and Indian War, Benjamin Martin wants nothing more to do with such things, preferring the simple life of a farmer. But when his son Gabriel enlists in the army to defend their new nation, America, against the British, Benjamin reluctantly returns to his old life to protect his son.
Nominated for 3 Oscars. 9 wins & 20 nominations total
Top Critics Reviews
rotten:
A movie of cornball sentiment, humorously anachronistic dialogue, and expensive Colonial Williamsburg sets.
– J. Hoberman,
Village Voice,
1 Jan 2000
fresh:
Deserves a salute as the first Hollywood epic about the American Revolution to successfully blend ferocity and feeling.
– Peter Travers,
Rolling Stone,
10 May 2001
fresh:
A grand yarn with a sense of the weight of history and an awareness that the winners are often those who have lost the most.
– Andrew O'Hehir,
Salon.com,
9 Aug 2001
rotten:
Make no mistake about it: The Patriot is a cartoon, even if it does have real people playing the parts.
– Liam Lacey,
Globe and Mail,
22 Mar 2002
rotten:
Emmerich's battle scenes may look authentic to anyone who has ever stared hard at a history book, but in every other way the film is long, empty and bogus.