Despite the historical inaccuracies of Mel Gibson’s The Patriot, this American Revolutionary War epic is a hit on streaming a quarter of a century later. Coming from director Roland Emmerich, The Patriot tells the story of an American colonist (Gibson) who opposed the war and gets swept up in the conflict after his son is murdered by a British officer.
While The Patriot was the subject of some controversy upon release for fictionalizing aspects of the true historical account, this has not stopped it from surging the streaming charts in 2025. As a hit on Paramount+, it seems audiences have once again connected with this story of personal vengeance, sacrifice, and rebellion, even if the movie takes some historical liberties.
The Patriot Had A Lot Of Historical Inaccuracies
It’s A Top Ten Hit On Paramount+
The Patriot was a hit at the box office back in 2000, where it grossed over $215 million against its $110 million budget. By showcasing a highly personal presentation of the American Revolutionary War, Gibson’s character took audiences on a journey toward understanding the viewpoints that inspired United States citizens to fight back against British rule.
However, The Patriot varied significantly from the true account, and many of the characters in the film were composites of genuine historical figures, with Gibson’s Colonel Benjamin Martin being a fictional hero. As an imagined representation of American heroism, the character of Colonel Martin embodies ideas of courage and resilience in a way that prioritizes impact over accuracy.
While Gibson’s character of Colonel Benjamin Martin was based on several figures, the main inspiration was the military leader Francis Marion.
But the most controversial errors were in the presentation of British figures, as The Patriot had an anti-British viewpoint, particularly through the character of William Tavington. Based on the real British officer Banastre Tarleton, historians took issue (via The Telegraph) with the character being shown shooting a child in cold blood, despite there being no historical evidence that this occurred.
Why You Should Watch The Patriot
Mel Gibson Gives An Outstanding Performance
Despite the historical inaccuracies of The Patriot, this does not change the fact that it stands as one of Mel Gibson’s best performances and a thoroughly entertaining film. In light of the recent 4th of July celebrations, it’s not surprising that The Patriot has found renewed success on streaming, as its powerful mix of brutality and sentimentality made for an unforgettable story of a father fighting for his family.
Gibson has been involved with some incredible war movies, with both Braveheart and The Patriot standing out among his filmography. Although both these films have been criticized for simplifying complex historical accounts, they endure well as captivating cinema. With plenty of new viewers discovering The Patriot on streaming for the first time, now is the perfect time to revisit it.
Source: The Telegraph
