Bias In The Movie “The Patriot”

The movie “The Patriot” is heavily filled with bias towards the Patriots. This movie tries to make it seem as though the Americans and Patriots are kind-hearted people who wish for no war, and that the British are cold people who want to see a bloodbath occur. It gives it away in the movie’s title itself.

The creators of the movie made it seem like Benjamin Martin was a man who loved his life at home and wished for no war, whereas they made Tavington seem like a cruel, insensitive man who would go to extreme measures just to win a battle, who would not allow anything to stop him, no matter who or what it is. The movie constantly made an attempt to make you feel sympathetic for both Martin and his family, which is assumingly also the reason why his late wife is frequently mentioned.

Bias is also heavily demonstrated using the music played in this film. Different types of music were played at different moments, but they were all biased towards Martin instead of Tavington. For example, when Martin’s sons were murdered, there was sad music playing to make the viewers feel empathetic for Martin. However, when Martin killed Tavington and the Americans had won the battle, Martin was waving the flag and there was heroic music playing for his defeat, despite the fact that he had just murdered a man.

The animations and special effects featured in this film that also display bias are the camera angles, and the lighting as well. When the British enter Martin’s house, the light had dimmed and the music was not as cheerful as it was before they had arrived. Additionally, when the battle between the British and the Colonists had occurred, the camera angles were shot differently. When the Colonists were being filmed, they were recorded at eye level in order to make the spectators feel as though they could apprehend them, and therefore sympathize with them. However, when the British were being filmed, they were being recorded at a higher angle, which caused the spectators to view them as less relatable, therefore pushing them to be in favor of the Colonists. Bias in this film was very visible but is to be anticipated as this is a film created by Americans, for Americans to view the story of how their independence has come to be.