Editing The Patriot (2000 film) (section)

==Plot==
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In 1776, during the [[American Revolutionary War]], Benjamin Martin, a [[French and Indian War]] veteran and a [[widower]] with seven children, is called to Charlestown ([[Charleston, South Carolina|Charleston]]) to vote in the [[South Carolina General Assembly]] on a levy supporting the [[Continental Army]]. Benjamin abstains, fearing war against [[Kingdom of Great Britain|Great Britain]] and not wanting to force others to fight when he himself would not. Still, the vote passes, and Benjamin's oldest son, Gabriel, joins the [[Continental Army]] against his father's wishes.

Four years later, in 1780, [[Siege of Charleston|Charlestown falls]] to the [[British Army]], and a wounded Gabriel returns home carrying rebel dispatches. The Martins care for wounded British and American soldiers before British [[dragoons]] arrive, led by [[Colonel]] William Tavington. Tavington [[Impressment|press gangs]] the Martins' African-American former [[Slavery|slaves]] into the army and arrests Gabriel as a spy. Gabriel's brother Thomas tries to free him, but Tavington kills Thomas, then orders the Martins' house [[arson|burned]] and all the wounded Americans executed. After the British leave, Benjamin and two of his younger sons ambush the British convoy transporting Gabriel. Benjamin slaughters all but one of the soldiers in front of his children.

Gabriel rejoins the Continentals, and Benjamin soon follows, leaving the younger children in the care of his sister-in-law, Charlotte. Benjamin meets his former commanding officer, Colonel Harry Burwell, who appoints him as colonel to raise a [[militia (United States)|militia]] unit  and places Gabriel under his father's command. Benjamin is tasked with weakening [[Charles Cornwallis, 1st Marquess Cornwallis|Lord Cornwallis]]'s regiments by [[guerrilla warfare]]. French Major Jean Villeneuve helps train the militia and promises more French aid. Gabriel asks his father why Villeneuve and other militia often mention Fort Wilderness, and Benjamin tells him that while fighting in the British Army, Benjamin and his men discovered atrocities against British colonists by French soldiers in the [[Blue Ridge Mountains]]. Enraged, they caught up with the retreating French at Fort Wilderness and killed all but two of them. The survivors had to present the severed heads of their comrades to the [[Cherokee]], which convinced the tribe to betray the French. Though regarded as a hero, Benjamin never forgave himself.

Benjamin's militia ambushes many British patrols and supplies caravans, including some of Cornwallis's personal effects and his two [[Great Danes]], and burns bridges and ferries that Cornwallis needs. After Benjamin uses a dishonorable and embarrassing [[ruse of war|ploy]] to free his captured men, Cornwallis allows Tavington to do everything possible to arrest him.

With the aid of Wilkin, a local Loyalist, Tavington has several militiamen's homes burned and their families executed. Benjamin's family flees Charlotte's plantation to live in a [[Gullah]] settlement with formerly enslaved residents. There, Gabriel marries his betrothed, Anne. Tavington's [[brigade]] raids Anne's town and assembles everyone in the church, including Anne; knowing that they are secretly aiding the militia, he demands the location of their camp. Despite one townsperson giving it away, Tavington burns the church, killing everyone inside. Upon discovering the tragedy, Gabriel and several other soldiers attack Tavington's encampment, where Tavington kills Gabriel before fleeing. Benjamin contemplates desertion, but after seeing the American flag Gabriel repaired, he is reminded of his son's patriotic dedication and decides to rejoin the others.

Martin devises a battlefield tactic that uses Cornwallis's pride against him. Martin's militia joins the Continental Army regiment and confronts Cornwallis's troops at [[Battle of Cowpens|Cowpens]]. Benjamin and Tavington engage in personal combat. Tavington wounds Benjamin and prepares to deliver the [[coup de grâce]], but Benjamin dodges the attack and impales Tavington, killing him. The battle becomes a Continental victory, and Cornwallis retreats.

Cornwallis is [[Siege of Yorktown|besieged at Yorktown]], where his subordinate surrenders to the American and French forces. Afterwards, Benjamin returns to his family and discovers that his former militia has rebuilt his homestead in honor of Gabriel's dream of building a new world.