Video Work
Olivia D. Henning
Doc. Gary Wray
HIST 111
29 July, 2012 The Patriot is a movie that takes place during the American Revolution in 1776. The movie follows the life of an America patriot named Benjamin Martin. He is the father of seven children and is a widower. He and his family lived on their plantation and work the land alongside of free, employed African American men, and a few slaves. Throughout the movie, Benjamin changes his mindset from wanting nothing to do with the war, to becoming a Revolutionary War hero known as “The Patriot.” The American Revolutionary war is still considered the most victorious national liberation movement in world history today. Benjamin Martin is called to Charleston, South Carolina to vote in the General Assembly on a levy supporting the Continental Army. Benjamin believes that the colonies should, and are capable of, governing themselves. However, he doesn’t think it’s a good idea to go to war against England. Martin doesn’t want to fight and risk leaving his children orphaned, nor does he was to cast a vote sending other men to fight in his place. A supporting vote is still passed and Gabriel, Benjamin’s oldest son, joins the Continental Army without proper permission. Martin didn’t want to be involved in war again; he had had enough on the battlefield in the French and Indian War. He prefers the simple life of a father and a farmer. One evening a battle moved right into Benjamin’s back yard, and Gabriel walks in the house wounded. The morning after, the family cares for the wounded fighting for both sides. When Colonel Tavington arrives, he orders all the wounded rebels be shot, all of Martin’s servants are taken to work for the British, and he order’s Martin’s house to be burned for housing enemies to the crown. It’s apparent Col. Tavington has no respect for the rules of war when he decides to hang Gabriel, a uniformed dispatch