The Patriot tells the tale of Benjamin Martin (Mel Gibson), a reluctant hero who is swept into the American Revolution when the war reaches his family and the British endanger the ideals and values he holds most dear. He then takes up arms in defiance alongside his idealistic patriot son, Gabriel (Heath Ledger), and leads a rebel American Militia into battle against a relentless and overwhelming Redcoat army. In the process, he discovers that the only way to protect his family is to fight for the young nation's liberty. Though he is The Patriot, his dark past continues to haunt him until the shattering climax..

Directed by Roland Emmerich and Produced by Dean Devlin, principal photography of The Patriot began on September 7, 1999. Given the film's massive battle scenes and sweeping landscapes, it required no less than 63 principal actors, 95 stuntmen, 400 extras and 400 re-enactors! An entire town had to be created from scratch to recreate the bustling city of Pembroke, as well as the ruins of film's many battle scenes, and Benjamin's plantation. The majority of the film's digital effects were created in post-production by Centropolis Effects (CFX) in Culver City, California. Led by Academy-Award-winning effects supervisor Stuart Robinson, he and his team created thousands of digital composites, structures, landscapes and even people!

Grossing over $100 million at the box office last summer, Columbia Pictures' The Patriot comes to DVD on October 24th in one of the studio's most feature-laden special edition yet. In addition to a 2.35:1 anamorphic transfer preserving all the splendor of the film's widescreen panoramic visuals, the disc includes behind-the-scenes looks at the making of the film, the mammoth battle scenes and the production's unending quest for historical accuracy. Additional deleted scenes and an alternate ending, extensive still galleries with production artwork and materials and the theatrical trailer are also included, and a full-length, screen-specific audio commentary with Director Roland Emmerich, Producer Dean Devlin and Star Mel Gibson round out what promises to be a great set.

With over 3 hours of behind-the-scenes material, The Patriot DVD promises to offer an in-depth look at the making of the film, as well as finely detailed audio and visual experience. Watch for it on October 24th, 2000 (and for a full look at the disc, read our full length review.)

In honor of the pending release of The Patriot. Columbia TriStar Home Video held their first-ever roundtable press conference at the Sony Studios lot in Culver City, California. Inviting a half dozen well-known publications covering DVD and home video (DVDFILE included, yikes!), the conference featured filmmakers Roland Emmerich and Dean Devlin, as well as Actor Mel Gibson. Articulate, enthusiastic and honest, the trio generously answered questions on the film, their experiences with DVD, and even told a joke or two. DVDFILE's own Karen Idelson was on hand to share in the festivities, and brought back this "in the round" report with Roland, Dean and Mr. Mel...

Who's On First? Roland & Dean! »