1:08:35. This is the 1 part of the movie I can't stand. There was no point during the Revolutionary War where a church was burned with colonists inside as that would have been considered a war crime. The colonists were still considered British subjects, so him giving the order to burn the church like this would have likely ended his military career. & I get the film is portraying him as a villain, but there is only so much leeway I can give a historical fiction film before it's inaccuracy is hard to ignore.
The fog you guys are seeing at 5:20 is just South Carolina in the early morning. SC, NC, and GA can all look like that in the mornings. Especially after a heavy rain the night before.
40:05 so Mel Gibson’s character Benjamin Martin is based on a few real people. Dan Morgan, who was a veteran of the French and Indian War and commanded a pseudo special forces regiment during the American Revolution called “Morgan’s Riflemen” that functioned as scouts and guerrilla ranger light infantry. But he’s mostly based on General Francis “Swamp Fox” Marion who was actually from South Carolina like Benjamin Martin, and after he enlisted he was put in command of forces of the South Carolina Militia, again like Benjamin. And he engaged the British in what the Patriots called “irregular” warfare, what today we would call unconventional or asymmetrical warfare. He used guerrilla tactics and ambush maneuvers to harass the British even with significantly fewer numbers. He’s considered one of if not the father of guerrilla warfare and much of his military doctrine is still used by the 75th Rangers which are also sort of pseudo special forces.
@@theawesomeman9821 Actually, Tarleton was not a "Loyalist." That term pertained to colonists who remained loyal to George III. Tarleton was not a "loyal" colonist, rather, he was British officer deployed with his regiment from England. Educated at Oxford, he moved upward in rank fairly quickly. He later served in Portugal and Ireland, and was eventually elected to Parliament.
The movie where Mr. House, William Wallace and the Joker, team up to fight Lucius Malfoy and the leader of the Jun Tau crime organizations. But with muskets.
I'm not American, but this is the most MURICA movie out there and I love every second of this classic. I must have watched it 10 times, such a good movie. And of course Jason Isaac being the villain is GREAT and having Heath Ledger is such a treat along the rest of the cast, which is so so great. Everything works in this movie, It's at times gripping, at times fun, at times horrifying, It makes you go through all the emotions while still being an "action & adventure epic", It's really a masterclass of a movie.
It is the most American film ever as in everything that happens is a complete fantasy made up to make the colonials look like the heroes and the British and loyalists look like the villains. In reality slaves were everywhere in the Caloinas in this era, and the war crimes were committed by the colonial militias.
I do not purport to be a sword expert, but the sword Tavington used to kill Gabriel and slice up Benjamin Martin is called a saber; specifically, a calvary saber. The bend in the blade is meant to facilitate cutting, especially from horseback. This was my introduction to Jason Isaacs and why I was excited when I learned he was cast to play Lucius Malfoy.
Misconception is that Mel Gibson is Australian. He was born in New York. He holds dual American and Irish citizen through his parents, as well as Australian. This movie never fails to make me emotional.
@@fullmoonprepping4024 sure he has permanent residency regardless if he hasn’t lived there in a long time. Most people’s misconception is that he was born there. His father moved them there at the onset of the Vietnam war to partly to avoid his sons from being drafted.
29:50 Very simple. Firstly, you need to stand up to load a muzzleloader such as a musket, which is long. Secondly, since muskets were slow to reload and had a limited effective range, massed firepower was crucial. And so was the timing of the volleys. Large formations of infantry soldiers grouped together for attacks, at least a percentage of the shots will hit the target.
The formations were also leftovers from the melee combat of old, and it was easier to hear orders in tight formation. Even if you couldn’t hear, you could follow a bugle or someone who did closer to the officer.
The Colonel of the Dragoons, is based on Banastre Tarleton, known for Tarleton’s Quarter refers to a phrase coined during the American Revolutionary War, specifically after the Battle of Waxhaws on May 29, 1780. The phrase means “no quarter offered” or “brutal death at the hands of a cowardly foe.” This term was born out of the brutal treatment of Patriot prisoners by British Colonel Banastre Tarleton and his Loyalist troops. In the Review it reminds me: its better to be a warrior in a garden, then a gardener in a war
His kids, especially the boys, would have known how to shoot from an early age, remember the very first scenes they were returning from hunting. Many Americans find it hard to believe that many Americans continue to learn those types of skills at an early age, I did, before I was 10. Live in a rural area growing up, you’ll learn. Drove a tractor on the road before a car, was legal at 14, and had to drive to grandpas to help, often. Between family and Scouts by the time I was 16 I had learned more than most do in a lifetime. Now imagine how much more pronounced that was in the 18th century, you better have grown up by 14. This film isn’t terribly accurate, historically, but as a period piece it’s well done. As an “American” movie, it’s one of the best.
“And my men are excellent marksmen.” This is important. A lot of focus historically is placed on the conventional Continental Army, and militia is sort of looked down on. Even this movie does it to an extent. But my personal opinion, as a US history major emphasizing on the American Revolution, is that militia really won the war. Conventional army definitely played a huge part, but these backwoods trappers and rangers like Dan Morgan’s Riflemen, Ethan Allan’s Green Mountain Boys, and others fought the British in a way that the British didn’t know how to counter. The British were used to conventional warfare, open lines of infantry lobbing volleys of shot at each other being supported by cavalry. They didn’t know how to fight an enemy that wouldn’t fight you in the open. And Washington actually encouraged this. He would give bonuses to marksmen (mostly militia) who got confirmed officer kills. There’s even a tall tale of a British marksman refusing to shoot an American officer in because the officers back was turned and it would be “ungentlemanly” to shoot an officer in the back. And that officer turned out to be George Washington. Which sort of makes sense because Washington never liked leading from the rear. He was the Commander in Chief of all Patriot forces and he led from the front of the charge.
28:20 the song being played is The British Grenadiers marching song. Used by the British and the music is to communicate officers' orders over long distances and to large groups of soldiers
This is a movie that doesn't give a fuck about your feelings or your "they can't kill this character" ideas. I grew up in north Carolina and a kid from my karate class got to go down to south Carolina and be an extra in this movie.
Bundling was indeed a thing. They would both be sew into separate bags. And of course, the running joke of the time was about who had proficiency with knots etc.
Originally Harrison Ford was casts in the lead, but he dropped out. Ford felt the movie became a revenge movie more than a historical movie. The movie was nominated for three Academy Awards, cinematography, score-John Williams and Sound.
We have a ton of Spanish moss in SC... but don't touch it unless you want small red "chiggers" insects that make you itch like crazy! For days. (Yes, they are actually called chiggers. It isn't a made up word.)
14:29 I absolutely love how intense Mel Gibson is in this movie. He tells his son to put the guns away, and it seems like he’s afraid, but he’s completely ready, as shown when he thinks his son is an intruder.
28:20 In answer to your question the music and drums was actually a means of signaling to the whole army what the next move was going to be. Officers would be spread out within earshot of said music and would relay those orders to the men nearby. So whenever you hear the drums, know the the officers are actively giving out orders.
So, i know mel gibson has had his problems over the years. But as an actor, i have to say nothing makes me cry more that watching someone like mel gibson try NOT to cry.
Gregory Smith who played Mel's onscreen son went on to appear in Everwood and became an accomplished director directing several episodes of Superman and Lois and other Arrowverse crossover episodes. The extended version has an extended scene with Adam Baldwin who gives information to Jason Isaac's character about where Mel's character would hide. Also RIP to the actress who played the youngest daughter that finally speaks when she tells her dad don't go.
RIP to the actress that played Gibson's daughter that wouldn't talk until she yelled his name for him not to leave to fight. Her death was ruled an accidental OD. I think she was only like 21 or 22.
Having flutes and the music during war back then was indeed for morale. Most flute players and drummers were no more then children. And the standard of warfare was to march directly at each other. It’s how “gentlemen fight” which is lightly touched on when Mel and Cornwallis are talking about the way the militia fight using guerilla warfare tactics and killing the officers first in combat. And he responds saying as long as you are killing civilians we’re gonna keep doing it. And cornwallis said “this is not the conduct of a gentleman.” Which is a brief look into the idea of warfare. Guns turned the tides of war and in a newer world to them war had to evolve to a higher standard which is why they straight up just walked into each other. Because of the revolutionary war the Americans never lost the use of guerrilla warfare tactics, in fact expanding them with longer range and more accurate rifles. Utilized in the civil war spencer rifles were a destroyer of infantry.
The battle at the end of the movie is known as the Battle of Cowpens. Tactically speaking it might be the most brilliant victory the Continental Army achieved in the whole war. It wasn't nearly as dramatic as the film makes it out to be, but it was that decisive.
It is still absolutely baffling that he played Joker, especially the way he did it. I remember laughing at the idea when it was announced, I was NOT right.
This was one of my faves of 2000. Coming from the duo who gave us Universal Soldier, Stargate and Independence Day. Fictional stories in a historical time have always been entertaining. Because filmmakers take the time to make the right approach and vision with some fiction involved. The story itself in the era of war for independence is just gratifying to see come to life. Mel Gibson of course on his A-game, being a man of peace and a force of nature all his own. The character of Benjamin Martin is an algamation of 4 real-life people who were soldiers/politicians in those times. Jason Isaacs as Tavington was great as an villain and you knew he was gonna get his in the end as all bad guys do. It's a great assembly of cast and filmmakers together. Along with the late Ledger, other actors have passed. Tom Wilkenson (General Lord Cornwallis), René Auberjonois (Rev.Oliver) and sadly, Skye McCole Bartusiak (Susan, Ben's youngest daughter) died at age 21. Other classics by Roland Emmerich:The Day After Tomorrow (2004), 10,000 B.C. (2008), 2012 (2009) and White House Down (2013).
As I recall from college, the smoothbore muskets used in the Revolution (and up through the mid-19th century) were accurate enough to hit a mass of men at about 100 yards and a well drilled soldier could get off about 3 aimed shots per minute. Which is why they used the tactics they did. I believe it's an evolution of the pike square that was used before firearms to protect the infantry against a cavalry charge. With the mass of men all stood shoulder to shoulder and several rows deep, they gave a greater density of blades (whether pikes or muskets with bayonets attached) than a cavalry force can achieve due to the space required for horses to maneuver. An infantry unit that doesn't break discipline ought to be able to repel a cavalry charge.
This movie is better than Braveheart, I said what I said. This was my introduction to Heath Ledger. Loved him & his character so much I swore if I ever had a son I’d name him Gabriel. This was also my introduction to Jason Isaac’s. Hated him for YEARS because I could not separate him from this role. I of course love him now. If one does not sob when Susan finally speaks & when Gabriel dies, one is a robot. This is a stunning film, & my favorite performance of Mel Gibsons ❤
28:34 I have an answer! Marching tunes, or pipe marches, needed to use specific instrumentation and be in a specific tone in order to carry better across the battlefield. Armies would use pipers to signal orders, different tunes meant different things. They would also be used like in this capacity we see here to help the soldiers keep time, marching to the tempo of the music.
It’s not a movie but a mini series about the founding fathers writing un the Declaration of Independence the bill of rights. There is some big war stories in it though. It’s called John Adams I believe who is played by Paul Giamatti and he really nails it
Not a revolution war movie but Gettysburg is a great movie to watch. It's often overshadowed by Glory (which also is a good movie). I suggest you watch both Gettysburg and Glory.
Random fact: the guy who surrendered Cornwallis’s sword(Charles O’Hara) would also end up surrendering to Napoleon Bonaparte years later on November 23, 1793. While imprisoned in Luxembourg, he befriended Thomas Payne until he was exchanged in 1795.
I remember the first time i watched this, it was in my 7th grade social studies class. My teacher was a cheeky fellow, (see what i did there?) because the class time was 45 minutes(?) we had to watch the movie in chunks, but i do remember one moment specifically he cut us off for the day. It was during the night scene at the sister-in-law's plantation. When Ben's family runs into the bushes, and we see the rifle barrel come up behind them, he cut us off right there, before we found out it was Gabriel behind them.
*Super simplified* Military technology and theory hadn't changed much since the introduction of the cannon. The set up is like chess, where your pawns are important, but limited and expendable. Not until the first World War did the tech for offense change, but defense had not. *Historical accuracy* I give them a C. It has historical moments and the sets/costume/dates bring it up a bit. It really is a very fun watch and they change things to make it more cinematic.
Great reaction as always! If you haven't already seen it, I'd highly recommend The Last of the Mohicans. A fantastic period film with the amazing Daniel Day Lewis. Definitely a must watch. I would absolutely love to watch your reactions to that film.
One detail which a lot of people aren't aware: The Seven Years War (known in the Americas as The French and Indian War) had only been over a few years before the American Revolution. That war had the French and most Native American tribes squaring off against the then-British colonies, which left France extremely divided in regards to those colonies fighting the British. The bad blood went both ways as France had previously agreed not to meddle in affairs between Britain and the Native Americans - an agreement which the French freely ignored once the war broke out. While France was debating whether to regard the new American colonies as their former enemies or as the enemies of their enemy, none of the colonist (neither the Patriots nor the Loyalists) were much inclined to think much of the French. Eventually (with the help of Benjamin Franklin's 'diplomatic expertise'), France finally decided to throw in against the British Empire, forging the relationship we hold with them pretty much to this day.
One of my favorite scene's when Gabriel's future wife stands up in the church and shames those men into living by their principles. That is a real woman.
29:45 firing line style combat had a lot to do with the limited technology of the time. Muskets, and even early rifle (those are different, muskets don’t have rifling inside the barrel) were very inaccurate. So armies needed to be close in order to even be effective. But combat like this was also much more focused on outmaneuvering your opponent rather than killing then all off. There were entire battles in the American Revolution where only 2 or 3 dozen men were killed from both sides total. If you could outmaneuver and outflank your enemy you could take the field and drive them back without having to engage them for too long.
1:05:46 This scene always gets to me. It makes me especially sad because the actress, Skye McCole Bartusiak, died of an accidental drug overdose in 2014.
Theres photos of main street in my city in MA where the union soldiers all gathered for a photo before marching to war. I go through that street daily. Half the buildings are still there, its fascinating stuff.
39:51 Cool factoid #2. The “ghost” is a reference to Francis Marion. Often referred to as the “Swamp Fox” who changed warfare in the Revolutionary War. The ambush tactics and guerilla warfare were highly effective in South Carolina. Very interesting history.
You need to watch "we were soldiers." Starring mel gibson. Written and directed by randall wallace. Writer of braveheart and coincidentally, pearl harbor as well. It is excellent and you can play spot the actor throughout the flick. After you watch this one then check out hacksaw ridge. That was directed by mel gibson. A wonderful performance from andrew garfield. Then watch apocalypto. It is an intense film unlike anybyou have seen. Also directed by gibson, but takes place during mayan times. It is intense with a climactic chase scene. Just awesome flick
This is one of my favorite movies. I met Dinal Logue and we talked for several minutes about this film. I ugly cry every time i see Susan speak to Mel to the first time.
I wonder who wins ? Don’t care if this is historically inaccurate it’s such a great film. Action film in colonial America , historical fiction is always fun. I miss this Mel Gibson before his anti semitism -I love the cinematography of the movie, things are clean and vibrant and foreground but got this matte painting in the background
Although Mel Gibson's character is fictional, the character is based on the historical figure Francis Marion, AKA The Swamp Fox. This movie was excellently made, in spite of the lack of historical accuracy. You definitely get engaged in the story. Awesome reaction!❤
Gah the HOLD this movie had on me when it came out! (I was in middle school) had the dvd. I love this movie! Now I haven’t watched it in like 10+, but recently re watched. I still stand by that I love this movie! And I have never cried more than this re-Watch 😭😭
The music and flags during combat where used for organization and the issuing of orders and were probably the most important men on the field of battle. They kept order amongst the ranks and provided a rallying point when combat became confused.
The standard issue muskets were not very accurate. Beyond 50 meters hitting what you're aiming at is iffy. So the soldiers formed up in firing lines and shot by volleys. So the winner was the one who could hold formation and reload faster until they got into range for the bayonet charge. The other popular weapon was the Pennsylvania or "Kentucky" rifle. With its rifled barrel, it was accurate to several hundred meters. Cannon fired either solid shot or hollow (filled with explosive) shell, or cannister/grape shot (iron balls about the size of golf balls) which turned the cannon into a giant shotgun.
Gun accuracy? You're thinking of muskets. The Martins are shooting rifles and are quite accurate for about 300 yards. The downside is that the rifle was much slower loading due to the difficulty getting the ball down the rifled barrel, which gripped the ball. It is questionable whether the boys would have the muscle to push it down. Muskets can be reloaded 3 times per minute, if you're good. Rifles? Maybe 2.
I have great respect for all of Mel Gibson's movies the ones he directed and just acted in. He always puts in 100 percent and has great vision on how to tell a story.
Fun fact, Jason Isaac's character was based on a real British named Colonel Banastre Tarleton. Gibson's character was based on Francis "The Swamp Fox" Marion.
Yes! You two MUST do Braveheart next! That's my favourite historical epic EVER, Mel did an AMAZING job both onscreen AND in the director's chair on that one.
It's really funny seeing all of the different reactors watch this movie and to see their confusion at the fighting style of the time period. Although it is extremely odd to see that fighting style in modern day, but it was just the way they fought due to muskets becoming the primary weapon of the world, and since they were extremely inaccurate, the best way to use them were in volley style shots. The marching band was also essential in giving orders and keeping marching pace for the soldiers.
The rocking chairs were built by a Master craftsman near me. He built a total of eight, if I remember correctly. During filming, when the chair was supposed to break, the prop department couldn't get them to break because the builder simply built them the way he always did, to last. They resorted to cutting the supports to finally get them to break.
It's still crazy to see how much this film inspired Assassin's Creed 3. Not just that Mel Gibson's character looks like Haytham Kenway, and not just that Heath Ledger's character looks like Edward Kenway, but just the sheer cool factor of the scene with him tearing apart those redcoats with a hatchet in the woods.... they got pretty close to capturing that feeling. Sucks that Ubisoft is a bitch company now, though.
One of the main reasons they fought this way was due to the limitations of the musket at the time. The poor accuracy made it to where you had to fight this way. Which eventually lead to trench warfare as an attempt to lower the shear casualty rate per battle. Which we obviously saw didn’t work out too well. That also lead to the next war which mainly revolved around armored vehicles air support and capturing and holding key towns and structures.
I am a history teacher. Mel Gibson's character as "the Ghost" is loosely based on a few real Patriots. One being Frances Marion known as the swamp fox who used gorilla warfare to keep Lord Cornwallis busy in the south so he couldn't join forces with the British up North.
Not to try to be all conspiracy, but it is pretty crazy how in the beginning of the film, Mel Gibson is weighing the chair and says " 9LBs/11oz," and then sits in the chair and it breaks. The movie also came out in 2000. It's probably just a coincidence
John Billings was definitely NOT played by J.T. Walsh -- he was played by Leon Rippy. (Btw, J.T. died young; in fact, he passed away a couple of years before this movie was made.)
The brutal British officer was based off an real officer during the war but was never killed but after war returned to England to live a rich glorious existence to my knowledge
