The 2000 film “The Patriot” tells the story of a reluctant soldier, compelled to join America’s war of independence.
Feared warrior Benjamin Martin (Mel Gibson), a South Carolina widower, would rather not fight the British colonial army. He’d rather care for his family of seven children and maintain his livelihood of farming.
When a cruel British officer (Jason Isaacs) claims the life of his second son, Thomas (Gregory Smith), a remorsefully resolute Benjamin leads a ragtag militia alongside his friend in America’s Continental Army, Col. Harry Burwell (Chris Cooper).
Benjamin’s oldest son, Gabriel (Heath Ledger), blames Benjamin’s former pacifism for Thomas’s death. His youngest daughter, Susan (Skye McCole Bartusiak), barely speaks to him; she resents his riding into battle. While his sister-in-law, Charlotte Selton (Joely Richardson), looks after the children, Benjamin rides with Gabriel against the British….