Scott,
I couldn't have said it better. Had The Patriot been directed by someone other than Emmerich, I wouldn't be surprised if there were Oscar nominations. And why not? It's a powerful story,
superbly acted and carefully produced. This gets me mad as hell. The injustice, I mean. I guess that same reputation prevented the movie from a better performance at the box office. What a shame. Emmerich says that no matter critcs and box office, he is proud of The Patriot. And I don't know why he wouldn't. To be honest, I hated Godzilla and Independence Day, but as far as The Patriot is concerned Emmerich has every reason to feel proud.

I hadn't think about the lead matter. But I guess you're right. Mel Gibson's Mad Max label doesn't help. I must confess that I had never regarded him very highly as an actor myself, seeing him more as an action figure than a dramatic actor. I started to change my mind with Braveheart and I'm definitely impressed with The Patriot. By the way, I find those Braveheart II comments rather irritating. It's as though people have a bee in their bonnet about both movis, not giving theirselves the trouble to sit down and see what The Patriot is really about.

And yes, I can't imagine this movie directed by someone else either. I don't know what Spielberg or others would have done, but I'm pretty happy with the actual result. And I must add in defence of The Patriot that it swept me in a way that neither Braveheart nor Saving Private Ryan did.