While Bejamin Martin (Mel Gibson) fought bravely in the French and Indian war, he has become a pacifist in he aged, and he is now only concerned with raising his family and living a quiet life. Even as Revolutionary War becomes immediate, Bejamin maintains his neutrality and refuses to become involved. His oldest son, Gabriel (Heath Ledger) is very excited to join the Revolutionary Army and sets off without his father’s permission. Colonel Tavington (Jason Isaacs) is not concerned about Bejamin’s neutrality. He is a sadistic man with broad sweeping powers. After getting a first-hand view of how the British plan to squelch the rebellion, Benjamin sees that pacification will ultimately not keep his family save, and he joins the rebellion in his own way.