| Leonard Maltin/Plot synopsis: |
A former hero of the French and Indian War, widowed with seven children, refuses to fight in the Continental Army in 1776; he's seen the horror of war first-hand, and wants to protect his family. But after his eldest son enlists, fate and circumstance force him into the fray. Gibson gives a charismatic performance in this entertaining, old-fashioned period saga, exquisitely filmed (by Caleb Deschanel) in South Carolina. But Robert Rodat's script and Emmerich's direction are too often heavy-handed, especially in their cartoonish treatment of "bad guy" Isaacs. Super 35.A former hero of the French and Indian War, widowed with seven children, refuses to fight in the Continental Army in 1776; he's seen the horror of war first-hand, and wants to protect his family. But after his eldest son enlists, fate and circumstance force him into the fray. Gibson gives a charismatic performance in this entertaining, old-fashioned period saga, exquisitely filmed (by Caleb Deschanel) in South Carolina. But Robert Rodat's script and Emmerich's direction are too often heavy-handed, especially in their cartoonish treatment of "bad guy" Isaacs. Super 35.
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