Re: Movie review and political commentary: The Patriot

From: Michael S. Lorrey (retroman@turbont.net)
Date: Mon Jul 17 2000 - 06:40:57 MDT


John M Grigg wrote:
>
> Mike Lorrey wrote:
> Gibson pulls no punches in this gritty, graphic portrayal of one of the
> more unconventional leaders of the US Revolution. He tells it like it is,
> or was, much like Speilberg's depiction of WWII in Saving Private Ryan and
> Schindler's List. No favors are made to spare the sensitivities of current
> day revisionists, propagandists, or, dare I say, outright traitors to the
> Constitution.
> (end)
>
> Mike, after reading your post I felt I had to ask, "are you running for
> office?" :) I think some comparisons can be made about how things were
> than as compared to now. I would like to think a U.S. president and the
> three branches of gov't would not be seen by many american people as
> tyrannical on the level of King George.

So would I, but it seems that King Willy is trying his level best to be
so tyrannical.

>
> Also, have you heard the accusations saying the real British colonal that
> the character was based on was not a ruthless murderer but an honorable
> officer? Or that the inspiration for Gibson's character raped his female
> slaves?

I've heard such accusations, coming from the British press, or from
British writers in the American press. I'm not surprised. I'm sure
Cornwallis reported that his men acted honorably, just as our own
generals claimed the same for our men in Vietnam. I'm sure its rather
embarassing for British people to see the misdeeds of their forebears
writ large on the big screen. Denial does wonders to sooth the nerves.

>
> My two favorite films of the summer are "Gladiator" and "The Perfect
> Storm." I hope everyone here gets to see them soon.

I saw Gladiator a month ago, and I really enjoyed that as well.



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