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Parents' Guide to

The Patriot

By Nell Minow, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 16+

Exciting Revolutionary War tale has graphic battle scenes.

Movie R 2000 165 minutes
The Patriot Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

Community Reviews

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age 14+

Based on 22 parent reviews

Dairyman123
Dairyman123 Adult
May 17, 2020
age 6+

Not that bad

I try to teach my boys what our country stands for. The war scenes in this movie shows what men did for our freedoms. I believe if they see what was done for our freedoms they will respect them move, and be willing to fight for them if they have too. At a time where more and more of our god given rights are under attack they need this.

This title has:

Great messages
Great role models
1 person found this helpful.
The Historical Reviewer
The Historical Reviewer Adult
April 5, 2023
age 14+

A not so historically accurate, revolutionary war film.

As a family with a rich history with the United Empire Loyalists, having a look at a film like "The Patriot", shows an alternative perspective to the American Revolutionary War. My main gripe with this film is the brutality and war crimes committed by the British red coats against unarmed colonists. The burning of churches with civilians trapped inside and the shooting of children and wounded enemy officers is totally fictional and excessive. No historical evidence exists of these atrocities ever being committed. However as a film it does do many things well a message about freedom, the importance of family and values.

This title has:

Educational value
Great messages
Great role models
See all 22 parent reviews

What's the Story?

THE PATRIOT stars Mel Gibson as Benjamin Martin, a veteran of the British army who was a hero during the French and Indian War. Twenty years later, he has no love for the monarchy but some skepticism about the alternative. He asks, "Why should I trade one tyrant 3000 miles away for 3000 tyrants one mile away?" and says "I haven't got the luxury of principles." More than that, his memories of the atrocities of war -- his own as well as the enemy's -- and his passion for protecting his seven children won't allow him to fight again. But when Benjamin's son is killed by a British soldier, he throws guns to his younger boys, straps several onto himself, and goes off to fight his own personal war, sort of like Robin Hood crossed with the Terminator.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (22 ):
Kids say (84 ):

It's not perfect, but this is a very enjoyable popcorn movie, sumptuously and excitingly filmed, and rousingly entertaining. The action sequences play well, and Gibson delivers, as always. He's utterly compelling in The Patriot, whether he's grimly dispatching an enemy, looking tenderly at a tiny daughter who won't speak to him, or agonizing over his past sins. Fellow Aussie Heath Ledger is superb as Benjamin's oldest son Gabriel, at first impatient to join the fight and later a brave and mature soldier and an ardent suitor.

There's a long Hollywood tradition of reluctant heroes being forced into violence, thus giving us the best of both worlds: a hero whose heart is in the right place but whose muscles and gun are, too. So Benjamin has to find a reason to fight. It would have been better if that reason had something to do with liberty and democracy, but instead it's about revenge. (The only heartfelt struggle for independence in the movie is teenage rebellion.) It's worth noting that producing/directing team Dean Devlin and Roland Emmerich play fast and loose with historical facts here. Not only is villainous Colonel Tavington so reprehensible that he enjoys burning down a church filled with civilians, but the film in no way acknowledges that the character of Benjamin was inspired by a real-life colonist who hunted Native Americans and kept enslaved people. In fact, while one racist character showily learns the error of his ways after being saved by a Black solider, the film pretty much ignores historical race relations and slavery. So The Patriot may be exciting, but it's definitely not an accurate history lesson.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the history of the American Revolutionary War. How accurate do you think The Patriot is to what actually happened? The movie has been criticized for omitting the fact that the real-life person Benjamin was based on hunted Native Americans and kept enslaved Black people (and for ignoring the realities of slavery during this era). What impact does that have on the way viewers perceive the movie's characters and messages?

  • Do you think the movie's violence is necessary to convey a sense of the reality of the war? Do different types of media violence have different impact?

  • How do the characters demonstrate courage? Why is that an important character strength?

Movie Details

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Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

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