Heath Ledger - Gabriel Martin (The Patriot) #1 - There's always a hero inside of us

**Shnicky** · 03-02-2008, 02:05 AM

Before they were soldiers, they were family. Before they were legends, they were heros. Before there was a nation, there was a fight for freedom.

Plot:
It is the late 18th century, in South Carolina. Benjamin Martin (Mel Gibson) is a veteran of the French and Indian War and a widower raising his seven children on his farm. Gabriel (Heath Ledger), the eldest, is anxious to join the American forces fighting the British in the Revolutionary War, without his father's permission. Martin, who knows from first-hand experience the horrifying carnage that war presents, wants to discourage his son from participating.

Against his father's wishes, Gabriel does join up. He returns home after two years, stumbling wounded into the family home, carrying dispatches between commanders. That night, a skirmish between the British and the patriots wakes the Martins and they give care to the wounded of both sides the next morning. British soldiers approach the house, proceed to kill the Colonial wounded, burn down the house and take Gabriel into custody as a spy, intending to hang him. Martin's 15-year-old (and second) son Thomas (Gregory Smith) is killed trying to free Gabriel as he is taken prisoner, shot by the cold-hearted leader of the Green Dragoons, Col. William Tavington (Jason Isaacs) even though the boy poses no real threat. (The Dragoons are a small, elite force of British soldiers.)

more here.

This scene broke my heart...

Quote:

Gabriel: [as he is lying there wounded, and sees his father appear] Father...
[gasps]
Benjamin: Shh... don't talk, don't talk.
Gabriel: [gasps for air, groans] Father. I'm sorry...
Benjamin: I'm going to take care of you. You're going to be all right.
Gabriel: Father. I'm sorry about Thomas.
[whimpers]
Benjamin: Oh son, that wasn't your fault.
[Gabriel lets out a soft groan]
Benjamin: That was mine.
[Gabriel gasps for final breaths of air]
Benjamin: Hold on, hold on, you're gonna... Don't go. Gabriel, don't!
[sobs quietly while touching his face]
Benjamin: Oh! God help me. God help me. God help me.
[begins crying, whispers]
Benjamin: God help me...

**only dreaming** · 03-02-2008, 02:07 AM

This movie is so beautiful, I remember crying at the end or quite possibly bawling my eyes out heh

**Shnicky** · 03-02-2008, 02:12 AM

Yes, this movie was perfection.

And this was the film that Heath had initially earned my respect. He played his part so great.

There's also one scene that stood out for me... The one when they were arguing and Gabriel said he's not a child anymore and Benjamin said "You are my child!"

That death scene was too much for me to take.

**only dreaming** · 03-02-2008, 02:24 AM

Mel and Heath played so well off each other in that scene you mentioned, it was so heartbreaking to watch.

The death scene is definately now, for me, too much. I havent watched it since Heath has passed, its difficult.

L30ni3 · 03-02-2008, 03:49 AM

this movie was beautifull! i still got to watch it again soon

**Jenn** · 03-02-2008, 10:22 AM

You know..I don't think I've ever seen all of this movie. I might have to get it so I can watch it all.

hottlegs6 · 03-02-2008, 03:49 PM

this is one of the greatest movies ever. my favorite war movie by far. heath was phenomenal in it. i loved what he brought to the character. and yeah he and mel had great chemistry. its been too long since i have seen this, i need to watch again soon

Laurababora · 03-02-2008, 05:32 PM

I haven't seen this movie in ages. But I do remember loving it and crying during the death scene.

Honey-Girl · 03-03-2008, 07:49 AM

I only saw it once, but it was a really good movie.

**only dreaming** · 03-04-2008, 02:50 AM

We have it on video but not dvd, Im going to have to go out and buy it I think.

hottlegs6 · 03-04-2008, 04:10 PM

i bought it today. it was on sale at walmart...couldnt pass it up! i think i might watch it tonight

wingster · 03-05-2008, 08:35 PM

i haven't seen this one in a while but it never failed to entertain...i didn't realize this earlier but there's a surprising amount of heath's movies i have not seen

**Jenn** · 03-05-2008, 08:42 PM

I think I'm going to have to watch this whole movie soon.

**teena1013** · 03-06-2008, 12:09 AM

this is one of my fave mel gibson movies. the movie was well done and the actors were all great. but heath really made the movie memorable for me. i always

when his character dies. it's just

**only dreaming** · 03-06-2008, 02:43 AM

mmm Heath looks so sexy in that pic.