1998
Francis Marion, a veteran and widower, initially resists joining the American Revolution but is forced into the conflict when the ruthless British Colonel Banastre Tarleton executes his son Thomas and takes his eldest son Gabriel prisoner. Marion forms a militia, ambushing British supply convoys and blowing up an armory, which frustrates General Lord Cornwallis and leads Tarleton to burn Charlotte's house, where Marion's family is hiding. After Gabriel marries Anne, Tarleton massacres villagers in a church, including Anne, prompting Gabriel to seek revenge, leading to his death at Tarleton's hands. Devastated but resolute, Marion joins the Continental Army at Yorktown, where he personally kills Tarleton in battle, contributing to the British surrender.
Save the Cat beat sheet
The Patriot begins with Francis Marion’s peaceful life and family before British violence disrupts his world.
Open full beat sheetFrancis Marion is listed as Protagonist. A veteran of the French and Indian War, widower, and father of seven, who initially resists the war but becomes a leader of the militia. In the parsed data, Francis Marion is connected to 39 scenes, 14 dialogue lines, 14 text mentions, first appearing around scene 1.
39 scenes / 14 dialogue linesGabriel Marion is listed as Supporting. Francis's eldest son, a dedicated soldier in the Continental Army. In the parsed data, Gabriel Marion is connected to 22 scenes, 4 dialogue lines, 4 text mentions, first appearing around scene 2.
22 scenes / 4 dialogue linesLt. Colonel Banastre Tarleton is listed as Antagonist. A ruthless British officer commanding the Green Dragoons. In the parsed data, Lt. Colonel Banastre Tarleton is connected to 14 scenes, 6 dialogue lines, 6 text mentions, first appearing around scene 5.
14 scenes / 6 dialogue linesRev. Charles Oliver is listed as Supporting. A clergyman who joins Marion's militia. In the parsed data, Rev. Charles Oliver is connected to 14 scenes, first appearing around scene 2.
14 scenes / 0 dialogue linesGeorge Dalton is listed as Supporting. A tough, cold-eyed member of Marion's militia. In the parsed data, George Dalton is connected to 13 scenes, first appearing around scene 2.
13 scenes / 0 dialogue linesJohn Billings is listed as Supporting. A coarse but loyal member of Marion's militia. In the parsed data, John Billings is connected to 10 scenes, first appearing around scene 2.
10 scenes / 0 dialogue linesSusan Marion is listed as Supporting. Francis's youngest daughter, initially silent. In the parsed data, Susan Marion is connected to 9 scenes, 3 dialogue lines, 3 text mentions, first appearing around scene 25.
9 scenes / 3 dialogue linesCharlotte Motte is listed as Supporting. Sister-in-law to Francis, who cares for his children. In the parsed data, Charlotte Motte is connected to 7 scenes, 1 dialogue line, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 47.
7 scenes / 1 dialogue linesLord Cornwallis is listed as Antagonist. The British General in charge of the Southern campaign. In the parsed data, Lord Cornwallis is connected to 5 scenes, 3 dialogue lines, 4 text mentions, first appearing around scene 7.
5 scenes / 3 dialogue linesColonel Harry Lee is listed as Supporting. A Continental Army officer and old friend of Francis Marion. In the parsed data, Colonel Harry Lee is connected to 4 scenes, 3 dialogue lines, 3 text mentions, first appearing around scene 34.
4 scenes / 3 dialogue linesMargaret Marion is listed as Supporting. Francis's eldest daughter. In the parsed data, Margaret Marion is connected to 3 scenes, first appearing around scene 4.
3 scenes / 0 dialogue linesThomas Marion is listed as Supporting. Francis's second eldest son, killed by Tarleton. In the parsed data, Thomas Marion is connected to 3 scenes, first appearing around scene 2.
3 scenes / 0 dialogue linesFrancis Marion works on a rocking chair in his workshop while his daughter Susan watches.
Francis Marion, Susan MarionMarion finishes his work and interacts with his children as they return from the fields.
Francis Marion, Gabriel Marion, Thomas Marion, Susan Marion, John Billings, Rev. Charles OliverMarion visits his wife's grave and speaks to her.
Francis MarionThe family prepares for dinner and Marion announces a trip to Charleston.
Francis Marion, Gabriel Marion, Thomas Marion, Charlotte Motte, Margaret Marion, Susan MarionTarleton and his Green Dragoons encounter three wounded Patriot soldiers, interrogate them, and execute them.
Lt. Colonel Banastre TarletonTarleton arrives at Marion's farm, executes Thomas, and takes Gabriel prisoner.
Francis Marion, Gabriel Marion, Thomas Marion, Lt. Colonel Banastre Tarleton, Margaret Marion, Susan MarionCornwallis instructs his officers, including Tarleton, on the civilized conduct of war.
Lord Cornwallis, Lt. Colonel Banastre TarletonTarleton and Wilkins depart, with Tarleton showing disdain for Cornwallis.
Lt. Colonel Banastre TarletonGabriel observes a British supply convoy.
Gabriel MarionMarion and his men prepare an ambush.
Francis Marion, Gabriel MarionMarion's militia ambushes the British convoy.
Francis Marion, Gabriel Marion, John Billings, Rev. Charles Oliver, George DaltonThe militia inventories the captured supplies and Marion tames Cornwallis' dogs.
Francis Marion, Gabriel Marion, John Billings, Rev. Charles Oliver, George DaltonMarion confronts his men about the treatment of prisoners.
Francis Marion, Gabriel Marion, John Billings, Rev. Charles Oliver, George DaltonMarion analyzes Cornwallis' journal and identifies his weakness.
Francis Marion, Gabriel Marion, John Billings, Rev. Charles OliverCornwallis expresses frustration over the supply line attacks.
Lord Cornwallis, Lt. Colonel Banastre TarletonMarion's men infiltrate and blow up the British armory.
Francis Marion, Gabriel Marion, John Billings, George DaltonMarion recruits more men and Gabriel flirts with Anne.
Francis Marion, Gabriel Marion, John BillingsMarion's men are ambushed by Tarleton's Dragoons.
Francis Marion, Gabriel Marion, Lt. Colonel Banastre TarletonMarion considers killing Tarleton but is stopped by Gabriel.
Francis Marion, Gabriel Marion, Lt. Colonel Banastre Tarleton, John BillingsMarion meets Cornwallis for a parley.
Francis Marion, Lord Cornwallis, Lt. Colonel Banastre TarletonMarion negotiates with Cornwallis and Tarleton for the release of his men.
Francis Marion, Lord Cornwallis, Lt. Colonel Banastre TarletonMarion's men are released and escape with the Great Danes.
Francis Marion, Lord Cornwallis, Lt. Colonel Banastre TarletonWilkins discovers the Redcoat officers are scarecrows.
Lt. Colonel Banastre TarletonTarleton's men burn Charlotte's house while Marion's family hides.
Francis Marion, Gabriel Marion, Charlotte Motte, Lt. Colonel Banastre TarletonMarion's family settles into a shack.
Gabriel Marion, Charlotte Motte, Susan MarionGabriel marries Anne.
Francis Marion, Gabriel Marion, Rev. Charles OliverMarion discovers the aftermath of Tarleton's torture.
Francis Marion, John Billings, Rev. Charles Oliver, George DaltonRollins commits suicide after finding his family dead.
Francis Marion, Gabriel Marion, Rev. Charles OliverMarion reunites with his children.
Francis Marion, Charlotte Motte, Susan MarionTarleton burns the church with villagers inside.
Lt. Colonel Banastre TarletonMarion and his men ride toward a column of smoke near Pembroke.
Francis Marion, Gabriel Marion, Rev. Charles Oliver, George DaltonMarion and his men discover the massacre at the church and livery stable.
Francis Marion, Gabriel Marion, Rev. Charles Oliver, George DaltonMarion and Gabriel discuss the events at Fort Wilderness.
Francis Marion, Gabriel Marion, John BillingsMarion and Harry Lee discuss the war and the loss of Gabriel's wife.
Francis Marion, Gabriel Marion, Colonel Harry LeeMarion discovers Gabriel has left the camp.
Francis Marion, George DaltonMarion arrives at the battle to save Gabriel, but Gabriel is killed.
Francis Marion, Gabriel Marion, George DaltonRev. Oliver visits Marion as he mourns Gabriel.
Francis Marion, Rev. Charles OliverHarry Lee tries to convince Marion to join the final push at Yorktown.
Francis Marion, Colonel Harry LeeMarion finds resolve by looking at the North Star.
Francis MarionMarion and other officers observe the British position.
Francis Marion, Colonel Harry Lee, Rev. Charles Oliver, George DaltonMarion meets Washington and they discuss strategy.
Francis MarionMarion advises Washington on how to defeat Cornwallis.
Francis MarionThe battle at Yorktown begins; Marion kills Tarleton.
Francis Marion, Lt. Colonel Banastre Tarleton, Rev. Charles Oliver, George DaltonThe British surrender at Yorktown.
Francis Marion, Colonel Harry Lee, Rev. Charles Oliver, George DaltonMarion returns home to his children.
Francis Marion, Charlotte Motte, Susan MarionMarion reunites with his children and Charlotte at his partially rebuilt home.
Francis Marion, Charlotte Motte, Margaret Marion, Susan MarionMarion and Charlotte enjoy a quiet moment at their rebuilt home before Marion returns to his workshop.
Francis Marion, Charlotte Motte, Susan MarionColonel, if you can't secure our supply line against militia, how do you expect to do so against Colonial regulars or the French when they come?
There will be a time and a place for revenge but killing Tarleton at the expense of your duty serves no one but yourself. Stay the course.
They're gone. And there is nothing you or I can do to bring them back. But there is something you can do to help end all this.
... and they bundled half... almost no trace of the boys you knew...
Oh, he's your son. You should have taught him about loyalty.
Nonetheless, we must remember that this is a civil war...
Take this one to Camden, he's a spy. He will be hung.
We're not going to hold him, we're going to hang him.
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