One Man's Hero (1999)

User Rating:

5.7/10   

Director:

Lance Hool

Writer (WGA):

Milton S. Gelman (written by)

Release Date:

2 August 1999 (Ireland)

Genre:

Action | Drama | History | Romance | War | Western

Tagline:

One man's hero is another man's traitor.

Plot:

"One Man's Hero" tells the little-known story of the "St. Patrick's Brigade" or "San Patricios," a group...

Plot Keywords:

1840s | Epic | Whipping | Branding Iron | Irish Catholic

Awards:

2 nominations

Cast

Tom Berenger	...	Sgt. / Lt. / Capt. John Riley
Joaquim de Almeida	...	Cortina
Daniela Romo	...	Marta
Mark Moses	...	Col. Benton Lacy
Stuart Graham	...	Cpl. Kenneally
Gregg Fitzgerald	...	Paddy Noonan
Don Wycherley	...	Brian Athlone
Wolf Muser	...	Cpl. Schultz
Luke Hayden	...	Seamus McDougherty
Ilia Volok	...	Daniel Grzbalski
Patrick Bergin	...	Gen. Winfield Scott
James Gammon	...	Gen. Zachary Taylor
Carlos Carrasco	...	Dominguez
Stephen Tobolowsky	...	Capt. Gaine
Dermot Martin	...	Seamus Fitzgerald

Also Known As:

El batallón de San Patricio (Mexico)
Héroes sin patria (Spain)
Herois sense pàtria (Spain: Catalan title)

Runtime:

USA:121 min

Country:

Spain | USA | Mexico

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Singapore:PG | Iceland:12 | USA:R

Filming Locations:

Coahuíla, Mexico

Company:

Arco Films S.L.

Trivia:

In John Riley's first scene as a San Patricio he asks their names to other Irish soldiers. When he asks his name to James Kelly, Riley asks him if he has any experience, and Kelly answers that he has been in His Majesty Royal Artillery. Riley replies with "Good experience, but there is no royalty here" to what Kelly answers "Yes, sir". Kelly is played by Prince Albert of Monaco, a member of the Royal family of Monaco.

Goofs:

Factual errors: General Winfield Scott, commanding general of the American forces, is shown wearing three stars on his epaulets signifying the rank of a Lieutenant General. At the time of the Mexican War (1846-1848) he wore the two stars of a Major General which was the highest rank in the United States Army at the time. He wouldn't wear three stars until 1856 when he was promoted to Lieutenant General, becoming the first American since George Washington to hold that rank.

A valid reflection of the times

Anyone who doubts the power of religion to sway a man's loyalties has never studied history. Likewise, anyone who doubts the power of a man's need to feel respect and a sense of "belonging" has simply never felt the lack. The Irish of the time came to our shores fleeing famine and disease, poor in the wallet but rich in pride and heritage. They asked for nothing but a chance, and took what was offered in good faith. The politics of the time made them much as the Mexicans are viewed today. Unwanted aliens who should be sent back from whence they came. Taking the offer of the US Army at face value, they were ridiculed and scorned and abused constantly. When battle was joined they found themselves fighting a people not so different from themselves. A people who shared ties of Catholicism, as well as spirit. They got nothing but hatred and ridicule from those who supposedly would welcome them, and could not be proud of fighting Mexicans, who shared so much in common with them. All they asked was a place to belong. Once they found it, they fought for it with all they had. It just happened, they found it in the ones they were supposed to be fighting.