The Patriot (Movie)?

Question

Does anyone know of any similarities between this movie and the actual Revolutionary war. Can you please list some similarities? Thank you.

Examples: Francis Marion(Swamp Fox) And Benjamin Martin(The Ghost)

And please list similarities about the Generals/Battles/Tactics/Advantages/Disadvantages etc. between the movie and the American Revolution.

Answer 1

I agree with the guy above me, but just to add one similarity...the coming of the French fleet to bottle up Cornwallis at Yorktown. The bouncing artillery shells was pretty realistic as well as the Napoleonic charges. Other than that, you have to take it with a grain of salt.

Answer 2

As someone who has studied the American Revolution for over 30 years, I can tell you this, the only similarity between the Patriot and the actuat AWI is that there really was an AWI; beyond that, the Patriot is a typical Hollywierd movie. Gibson's character would have never been given the respect, let alone the command, that he was given. The militia was a joke to the British and not too highly thougt of among the Continentals, either. The hit and run tactics did not occur as frequently as the movie would have you believe. The Brits were protrayed as brutal and barbaric. We all know that atrocities happen in war, however the Brits were portrayed more like the Waffen SS from WW2. No churches loaded with people were burned as the movie would have you believe.
I will say that the field tactics, called linear warfare, were pretty good. but again, the rate of casualties would not have been as high. The British general, Cornwallis, was not a bumbling oaf but one of their most skilled commanders. After the AWI he went on to preserve India for the English for 200 years.
The artillery they used did not, in fact, exist. The troops would have had light battalion artillery in the lines with the troops, 3 or 6 pounders. The guns in the movie, estimated to be 50+pounders, did not exist. They didn't come that big in the 18th century. They would have used 3 or 6 pounders, unless they were laying siege, like at Yorktown. Then they would have gone to something as large as a 20 to 24 pounder to batter the earth works.
With any movies about history, you have to take them with a grain of salt. Hollywierd will not let the facts stand in the way of a good story. If you take the Patriot for what it is, an action movie that takes place during a specific time in our history, its watchable. If you are looking for a documentary, watch the History Channel.

Answer 3

There were several distinct similarities between Gibson's character and Francis Marion. First, he was a skilled tomahawk fighter from the French & Indian War. They both took refuge in the swamps of South Carolina. Both were reluctant to see their state go back to war because of everything they'd previously experienced. But in both cases they met up with brutal British military leaders who made it impossible to stay out of the war. As a result, they both not only went to war, but waged it full-force.

If you want more similarities between his character and another famous soldier from history, it would be Sgt. Alvin York from WWI. The similarities are uncanny.