The Patriot: Deleted Scenes

Comments About 'The Birth of the Ghost & The Funeral' Scene:
The deleted material is about two minutes long. This is the second of the two deleted scenes that I felt really added to the film. The first few seconds where the soldier in his wounded state believes he has seen a ghost responsible for the attack is unnecessary, but does set up his later scene with Colonel Tavington. He can be noticed earlier in the skirmish, being shot and falling into the creek.

As far as when the sequence moves back to the farm, I think it helps reinforce the chaos. In the final cut, we never see the farm again until it is being rebuilt, but here we see the burned out house and Thomas' burial. Not having them bury Thomas, or at least showing his grave in the final cut would have been better closure, especially since the militia are shown burying the townspeople of Pembroke later on.

The sequence also sets up some of the emotional threads that play out later on. One is Gabriel's later apology to his father for Thomas' death. Another is the way that Susan distances herself from her father. Lastly, is Benjamin equating the family tragedy as a consquence for his actions in the French and Indian War.

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