What are the historical facts behind this movie?

Question

Okay, for all of you that have seen the Patriot, starring Mel Gibson, I have a question. Are there any actual historical events that this movie is based on besides the fact that the Revolutionary War did happen? Is Gibson's character based on an actual man (the same about the "bad guy" in the movie as well as the British lord who oversaw operations in that area)? I know that most war movies (Glory, Black Hawk Down, We Were Soldiers for example) are based on actual events, but I've never been sure about the Patriot.

Answer 1

Check this out. Hope it helps.

1. Much of the military action is based on the battle of Cowpens. The character of Tavington being based on Banestre Tarleton; the mixture of militia and Continental army in the battle, knowing that the militia had a reputation of not holding and using that to lure the British in. The militia only firing a couple of volleys before a planned retreat to a secondary line composed of the Continental army. The Continental army firing and then performing a bayonet charge. These are the basics of the battle of Cowpens and the basics of the military action at the end of the movie

2. Although Col. William Tavington is supposedly "loosely" based on Col. Banastre Tarleton, there is probably more similarity than not. Both were equally bloodthirsty. On May 29, 1780, in Lancaster County SC, Col. Abraham Buford offered to surrender and lay down their arms to Tarleton. Tarleton tricked Buford by offering the Colonials quarter, and when they laid down their arms, Tarleton ordered the British troops to attack without mercy. American casualties were 113 killed. This was known throughout the rest of the Revolution as "Buford's Massacre" and sealed the sentiments of the upper SC residents against the Loyalists and the British army, much as portrayed in the movie. More Revolutionary War battles were fought in SC, than the rest of the colonies combined.

3. The film has been heavily criticized for its historical inaccuracies, including the invention or exaggeration of British atrocities. Most criticized was a scene depicting the torching of a church containing a town's inhabitants. This scene alone is outrageous considering the notoriety the Boston Massacre, which killed only a handful of colonists. Even supportable atrocities, such as the killing of prisoners are innacurately depicted, with redcoats sending roving firing squads to dispatch the wounded. In such instances however, the British were known for simply using the bayonet, as powder use in the field had to be controlled due to regular resupply difficulties.

4. Historical inaccuracies & controversies: Although it went generally unnoticed by casual audiences, historians also criticized the depiction of American-owned slaves being freed to serve in the Continental Army. It was actually the Dunmore Proclamation made by the British Army which first announced conditional freedom to slaves who joined them, a fact which is acknowledged by the film when Colonel Tavington tells blacks working for Martin that slaves who fight for "The Crown" will be granted their freedom upon an English victory. The new American government would maintain legalized chattel slavery until the Thirteenth Amendment was ratified in 1865. Although it is true that Blacks fought on both sides in the Revolution, the South Carolina assembly resolutely refused to allow blacks — either slave or free — into the state militia, contrary to what one sees in this film. Here Martin is no slaveholder, but a farmer who employs black workers for a salary, a labor relationship that was very rare in colonial South Carolina. There are also characters that are historically misplaced, such as the inclusion of British General Cornwallis at the final battle, which is allegedly based on the Battle of Cowpens. Even then, the time of year is wrong, and the numbers of troops and artillery greatly exaggerated. Benjamin Martin is a combination of Thomas Sumter, Andrew Pickens, Brig. Gen. Francis "Swamp Fox" Marion and Col. Daniel Morgan, whose strategy for the Battle of Cowpens Emmerich imitates in the climax. Col. William Tavington is based on General Sir Banastre "Bloody Banny" Tarleton.

5. Historical accuracy: The ending incorporates the Siege of Yorktown, where Cornwallis surrendered to the colonists and their French allies; it incorporates key factual elements from that campaign, especially the French naval victory in the Battle of the Chesapeake which directly led to the colonists' victory at Yorktown. It also accurately depicts Generals George Washington and Rochambeau, in addition to Cornwallis, as being present at the siege; though none of them participated in the surrender ceremony itself, that is a common mistake found in many portrayals of Yorktown, including paintings of the day. The fictional French major in the film, Jean Villeneuve, was loosely based on Lafayette; though the real Lafayette fought with Washington in the North (unlike Villeneuve), Villeneuve's penchant for self-promotion is consistent with historical accounts of Lafayette. The change of Martin's group from disdain to respect for Villeneuve, after Admiral de Grasse finally delivered on Villeneuve's constant promises of French help, is probably more of a commentary on the history of U.S.-French relations than historical fact; but that is appropriate considering that most of the leading characters (except for Cornwallis) are fictional.

Answer 2

Mel Gibson's character was originally scripted to be the real historical figure Francis Marion, "The Swamp Fox", but after historians informed the filmmakers of some of the more sordid aspects of Marion's life (slaughtering Indians, raping his female slaves) they decided to create a fictional story and a more likeable hero.

General Charles Cornwallis is based on the real Cornwallis, who was an English military commander and colonial governor. In the United States, he is best remembered as a British general in the American Revolutionary War. His 1781 defeat by a combined American-French force at the Siege of Yorktown is generally considered the end of the War, although minor skirmishes continued for another two years.

The villain William Tavington is based off the real historical figure General Sir Banastre Tarleton, whose reputation for ruthlessness earned him the nickname "Bloody Ban" and "Butcher" amongst American revolutionists.

MORE INFO:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Patriot_%282000_film%29#Historical_inaccuracies_.26_controversies

Answer 3

Mel's character is a composite of various people

The bad guy is based on a real general, but he was not that cruel and vicious

The last battle is based on the Battle of Cowper's for the tactics

The look is historically accurate, as the Smithsonian got involved (and dedicated a full issue to it)

Answer 4

There are pieces of history incorporated into the movie. For example, the style in which Gibson's character fights was very real. They combated British numbers with guerilla tactics.

Also, the character of Cornwalis is obviously real, as well as how it meets his demise.

Answer 5

When they say a movie is Based on a True Story, it means that there is very little fact and a whole lot of fiction.