In a war being fought for American independence, one man's toughest battle is in his own heart. Mel Gibson stars as Benjamin Martin, a widowed former soldier who has renounced his tremendous battlefield skills for a peaceful life raising his seven children. While dealing with his oldest boy Gabriel's (Heath Ledger) desire to sign up with the rebel army, Benjamin soon has the war land right in his own home. When a sadistic British colonel commits a horrific atrocity, the ax-wielding ex-warrior is driven by blind vengeance to join the cause...and save what is left of his family. Also with Joely Richardson, Jason Isaacs and Chris Cooper.