Did the events in "The Patriot" really happen in the Revolutionary War, or was that fictionalized?

Answer 1

The Mel Gibson character is a fictionalization of Francis Marion, the "Swamp Fox," who battles the British in the revolution, however all the personal details of the character's life are purely Hollywood.

The church burning was fiction, but similar incidents did occur in Ireland.

The large battles did occur mostly as portrayed, but the role of the fictional Mel Gibson character was, of course, fiction within them.

Captain Zorikh

Answer 2

Yes, the captain is correct about the Swamp Fox however the only historical fact in this movie was that there was a revolution between 1775 and 1783. Mel Gibson's character, a militia commander, would not have been given the respect let alone the command responsibility that he had. Cornwallis was portrayed as a bumbling idiot. In truth he was an extremely adept commander who did not receive the necessary support from the commander in chief in NY. Tavington, Jason Issac's' character, was based on Banastre Tarralton, the real Green Dragoon. Tarralton was a tough commander but did not order the murder of opposing forces. He is credited for the killing of a great many Marylanders and Virginians at the Waxhaws however recent evidence points to the fact that that some Continentals, while under a flag of truce, fired on Tarralton's forces. He did what most commanders would have done in that position. Finally, the atrocities. There are numerous records of vile atrocities committed during this war however no church full of civilians was burned and the British army did not behave like the Waffen SS. In the reenactment community, The Patriot is a joke or also known as "Lethal Hatchet, the prequel to Lethal Weapon." If you keep in mind that this is a Hollywierd movie and take it at that, its watchable. If you want a historical account, read about it or watch the History Channel.

Answer 3

Frankly speaking, most part of the history is a fiction, drama, and over exaggeration. Of course, in parts it is factual and truthful as reported.

When a war history is being told, the people should be made to feel inspired, feel like zealots and patriotic. So in parts or smearingly here and there it is exaggerated using the language medium.

In the days of movies, it is more fictional drama. To transport the audience using that medium to those days, when the history was in the making. This is true for most of the history based movies, poems, and writings.

Answer 4

The Battles of Lord Cornwallis were factual, but as for the "ghost" leader played by Mel Brooks; it is doubtful! The Militia was somewhat like a modern day guerilla force in that they did set up ambushes. The final victory against Cornwallis did occur when the French finally appeared and Blockaded the port, and the Continental Army blocked any retreat traping his army.

Answer 5

Kudos to the Captain who is right. The movie is based loosely on the exploits of Frances Marion otherwise known as the Swamp Fox who hounded Cornwallis like a nightmare. As to the actual burning of the church and the killing of the townspeople in the movie I don't believe that actually happened but Marion and his band of raiders helped the Revolution succeed.

Answer 6

This was Mel Gibson at his worst,He was portraying Banastre Tarleton as a cad,( under another name)Tarleton was a dragoon who fought for his country.Tarleton was from Liverpool UK.He later became a knight of the garter,Lord Tarleton,He lost fingers in defence of England.Read The Green Dragoon. for the true story.Mel Gibson has proven himself to be not very stable and untruthful and a drunk.The Green Dragoon and Tarleton can be found on the web

Answer 7

it was fiction but the revolutionary war really did happen haha lol.

Answer 8

I believe this is what they call historical fiction...that's where the author takes facts from history and writes a fictional story aruond them

Answer 9

yes and no. movies portray what will sell the movie. usually loosely based on historical fact

Answer 10

It was fiction.