Mel Gibson plays Benjamin Martin, a veteran soldier who tries to keep his family safe as war comes to his South Carolina home in 1776. He joins the fight against the British after his son is killed by a cruel officer. The film wants to be a stirring tale about fathers and sons and freedom, but the story never quite lands.
Trailer, via HD Retro Trailers.
Benjamin Martin’s Long War
Martin fought in the French and Indian War and knows how to fight. He raises his children alone after his wife dies, teaching them to hunt and farm while staying apart from the fighting. That peace ends when a British officer kills his son Gabriel in cold blood.
The British Officers
The villains are a group of officers led by Tom Hardy’s Captain William Tavington. They burn homes and hang men who refuse to fight. The film sets Martin against Tavington as a father who will stop at nothing to protect his family.
The Battle of Savannah
The film spends a great deal of time on the siege of Savannah. It is meant to be the turning point of the American cause, but the scene drags on too long and loses its force.
The Fighting Scenes
The battles are loud and busy, with gunfire and charging soldiers. Gibson carries the film through the action scenes, even when the script asks him to say lines that sound more like a stage play than a real man.
The Family Threads
The story follows Benjamin Martin’s five sons and his daughter Susan, played by Heath Ledger. The youngest son, Bayard, is the comic relief, and his scenes lighten the weight of the war. The film wants the audience to care about each child, but the story moves too fast to build real feeling for any of them.
Comparing the Two Sides
| Side | Leader | Goal |
|---|---|---|
| Americans | Benjamin Martin | Protect his family and win the war |
| British | Captain William Tavington | Crush the rebellion |
The Ending
The film ends with Martin winning the battle of Savannah and avenging his son. The final image is of him holding his youngest son, with the promise of peace finally within reach.
What Works
Gibson’s performance grounds the film in something real. The scenes between father and son carry more weight than the grand set pieces.
What Doesn’t Work
The film runs too long and repeats itself. The middle sections drag, and some scenes feel added just to fill out the running time.
“The film wants to be a stirring tale about fathers and sons and freedom, but the story never quite lands.”
The film means well. It wants to honor fathers and sons and the fight for freedom. It simply does not earn that meaning.
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