Activity 4: Mel Gibson's "The Patriot" as History

The popular film The Patriot is loosely based on the exploits of several real life historical figures including a British officer, Lt. Col. Banstre Tarleton and several American patriots: the "Swamp Fox," Francis Marion, Daniel Morgan, Elijah Clark, Thomas Sumter and Andrew Pickens.

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Exploration 1: Fact and Fiction

Like many historical films, "The Patriot" involves a mixture of fact and fiction. In one scene, a British officer orders his troops to burn down a church that is crowded with Patriot women, men, and children. Although no such episode occurred during the Revolution, a similar event occurred during World War II, when a German Panzer Division burned down a church in the French village of Oradour-sur-Glane on June 10, 1944.

Why do you think the film included this incident?

Exploration 2: As Evil As the Movie Claims?

The British officer in the film, who is named Col. Tavlington, but who is based on Lt. Col. Banastre Tarleton, is depicted as cruel and evil.

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• What messages does the following poem about Colonel Tarleton convey?
  Was it most likely written by a Tory or a Patriot?
  Hudibrastic Epistle to Col. TARLETON by T.R.
• In the following account of his campaign in Virginia, Colonel Tarleton attempts to justify his ruthless tactics.
  Do you find his arguments persuasive, or do you think his brutal approach backfired?
  History of the Campaigns of 1780 and 1781 in the Southern Provinces of North America

To learn about Lt. Col. Banastre Tarleton, go to:
http://www.patriotresource.com/people/tarleton.html

For a comparison between the real life Banastre Tarleton and the cinematic Colonel Tavington, see:
http://clioseye.sfasu.edu/chronicles/patriotchron.htm
and scroll down to "The Real Colonel Tavington"

This site was updated on 23-Nov-09.