How Benjamin Martin in ‘the Patriot’ is presented to us as a hero

“The Patriot” tells the story of Benjamin Martin played by Mel Gibson. It is set in 1776 during the American Revolution. Benjamin Martin, a war hero turned pacifist widower is committed to looking after his seven children. The establishing shot is peaceful, warm and occasionally humorous with Benjamin at home building a rocking chair with his family watching. At first we discover that Benjamin Martin is against going to war but when the British Army visit his farm and one of his sons is killed, his opinion changes and so does the course of the film.

Throughout this assignment I intend to highlight appropriate aspects of the film, which I regard to be relevant and portray Benjamin Martin as a hero. I have decided to look closely at three particular scenes, which I consider present Benjamin Martin as a hero. The first scene I have decided to look at is The Assembly Scene where we see our hero address the congress and speak about war not being an option. The scene is rather formal garments worn by the characters are in many respects clergy like as if our hero wants to be taken seriously.

Benjamin Martin takes an elevated position when he stands, a camera effect is used to show this perhaps to demonstrate importance and that he is above the rest by filming slightly from above him. The people in the background are blurred and the camera is focused completely on Benjamin. When he speaks he does not hector he is reasonable a method used to make people listen to him. However when his actions at the French and Indian War are mentioned war he seems to be ashamed. At this point there is a close up (CU) on him to express his sorrow.

When this is mentioned myself, as the viewer is shocked to hear that he was once present at war because so far in the film he has been presented to us as a family man, calm and collective. The second scene I have decided to examine is the invasion of the red coats. The scene starts with Benjamin with his family at their home and everything seems peaceful but as the scene progresses there is a gradual change. A sense of fear is built up with the quiet beat of the drum and string background.

It gives a chilling effect and suddenly alters the mood of the scene. There is then an extreme long shot (ELS) of the British Army approaching and suddenly the music grows louder and the galloping horses sound like distant thunder. We then see the entrance of the Red Coats and the first time we see Colonel William Tavington. He enters with several other soldiers on horses and on camera they appear high up because the camera level is below the horses. This simple idea really sets the scene and immediately suggests to the viewer that they are significant.

Their entrance is also filmed in slow motion to really capture the scene and again to show importance. A mist has suddenly formed with their arrival and looks like smoke and suggests danger rather like the saying, ‘There’s no smoke without fire. ‘ Colonel Tavington’s first words have a profound effect on us when he orders the house to be burnt down. He shows no sign of emotion and appears ruthless when he says this and from this moment we establish him as the villain and if there is a villain there must be a hero.

A sense of fear is created when a Red Coat approaches Benjamin’s son Gabriel, an American soldier. He turns and hides his face and for a moment he is safe but just moments later he is arrested and is sentenced to death. When Gabriel is arrested and about to be taken away his younger brother attempts to save him but in doing so Colonel Tavington kills him. This incident has a huge effect on the rest of the film as a gulf has now been formed between Benjamin and the Colonel.

We then see our hero enter the house of flames to retrieve weapons, he risks his own life but when he exits the house it is like his true feelings rising from the ashes and the point that shows Benjamin’s change of heart and him seeking revenge. Metaphorically speaking one could say the flames are also like Benjamin’s heart, burning with rage and anger. The following scene is one of great courage and undoubtedly heroic. We see Benjamin attack the British army with the aid of two of his children to free his son Gabriel. They were out numbered but still managed to overcome the British force.

Our hero demonstrates actions of a true hero through his power and his bravery. However despite his heroic actions we also see a violent side to him when he repeatedly stabs a British soldier and when the camera focuses on him he is covered with blood. The camera work in this scene is particularly effective considering its complications with the quick fighting scenes. Instead of filming the scene normally, slow motion is used to great effect to capture the scene. The camera position constantly switches from in front and behind of 0our hero.

It is quick and the sound is sharp and cold really setting the mood of the scene and enhancing audience entertainment. The final scene I have decided to examine closely is the Flag Scene. It is one of the final scenes and most entertaining in my opinion. The morale amongst Benjamin’s militia was very low and the speed of the horses best demonstrates this, just trotting through the fields on their way to battle with no real belief. At this point myself as the viewer believes that the men are almost like a band of defeated individuals. However there is a sudden change to the mood amongst the men.

The camera suddenly focuses on the apex of a hill and from nowhere almost like rising from the ground the American flag appears. Metaphorically speaking one could also state that it symbolises their morale suddenly starting to rise from the ground, what was once buried or dead is now alive. The French horn sounds and gradually gets louder and sounds triumphant and wells up rather like the mood. There is then a full screen with Benjamin Martin galloping at speed with the flag in hand ridding alongside the troops before joining the other officers.

When ridding past the troops they start chanting and within a matter of seconds the mood has suddenly changed to one of great delight. When he joins the pace and rides alongside the officers he does not speak, extremely modest. However you could say it is rather sentimental but I believe it is rather like the saying, ‘Actions speak louder than words. ‘ It takes a lot of courage and self-belief to try and rally the troops like Benjamin did and transforms the mood. To film this scene a lot of tracking was used as the line of soldiers on horses was filmed as Benjamin galloped alongside them.

Our hero is also presented to us with this introduction with the build up in music and the effect he has on other people by lifting their spirits is something extraordinary in many respects. When the troops arrive at battle this is what I think symbolizes Benjamin Martin as a hero again involving the American flag. Our hero runs through the battlefield and climbs some steps rather like an uphill struggle and waves the flag. This moment in the scene is filmed in slow motion and is used to great effect, as it makes it more significant and outstanding to the audience.

To stand up in the middle of a battle risking his life to inspire others is something that I would regard as heroic. He is also very emotional and perhaps this is because he is waving his dead son’s flag, touching the flag is also touching him. Others see him and are inspired by his actions and heroism and this point leads to the fall of the British. It is interesting that Benjamin takes this high point, obviously it is to be seen by others but metaphorically he looks powerful above everyone else rather like the church hierarchy.

Benjamin could be seen as God who has this power and control and the people below him merely carrying out his duties and God having a profound effect on others. This also links to one other striking aspect that I have identified. There is frequent reference to the cross and as a Roman Catholic I immediately think of Jesus Christ’s crucifixion when he sacrificed his own life to save others and in observation that is what a hero does, being prepared to sacrifice your own life in order to save others.

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