One Man's Hero (1999) Reviews

• Berenger at his best in an engrossing war drama

  theeht2000-09-27

  Someday, perhaps, when this film achieves the reputation as a classic that it deserves it will be widely re-released. A labor of love for Berenger, it features the acclaimed actor in possibly his greatest performance as an Irish sergeant who fights with his men on the side of the Mexicans during the Mexican war. Tom is incredible here, especially in the closing scenes, but everything is superb here, the music, photography, direction by Lance Hool, supporting performances, everything you could ask for in a spectacle like this.See this film.

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• A powerful film on a little-known episode in American history.

  janskelton2003-04-15

  This is one of the most powerfully moving films I've ever seen. Maybe it does lack some technical expertise, but I got so totally lost in the storyline, I didn't notice that. This film is precisely what I appreciate so much about Tom Berenger: it seems that Tom Berenger can take a small episode of history and make it memorable--so memorable, in fact, that I've seen this movie only twice, but scenes from it keep playing in my mind.

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• A Movie Worth Fighting For

  Singary1999-10-01

  The struggle by many to get MGM to release this epic movie was worth every effort as you watch this beautiful movie on the big screen. This is one of the performances of Tom Berenger's life.There is no denying the magnitude to which he portrays John Riley's great strength and character. His scenes, quite literally, draw you in like no other role he's played since Sergeant Barnes in Platoon. You'll gasp out loud when witnessing the consequences the San Patricios and John Riley face for desertion. Berenger brings to this movie his heart and soul (along with an excellent Irish brogue)and it shows in the first frame to the last. Artistically shot under Director, Lance Hool, and enhanced by the beautiful score from composer Ernest Troost, this is a film that will stay with you long after you leave the theater. Tom is supported by an equally impressive and strong cast. Daniela Romo, as the fiercely independent and beautiful Marta, is captivating in every scene she is in. Mark Moses, as American Col. Benton Lacy, is a stand-out as John Riley's friend and one of the few fair-minded soldiers in John Riley's former American unit. Character actor James Gammon, who played coach Lou Brown in Major League and Major League II, brought to the movie his homey, down-to-earth talent as the likable Zachary Taylor. This movie tells a little known chapter in American and Mexican history--a chapter that deserves to be told. Tell everyone you know to go out and support this film to ensure a wider release throughout the United States. THIS IS A MOVIE WORTH FIGHTING FOR.

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• Decent tho historically flawed film

  magic8ball21122007-02-13

  I learned about the San Patricio Battalion in college and even did a senior paper on the unit. Consequentially, when I heard about their story coming to the big screen I looked forward to it. The story, though interesting, is not without its flaws. Set at the eve of the US-Mexican War (sometime in late April 1846 given that war hasn't broken out yet), the movie spans the duration of the war and initially attempts to give a nod to our country's unhappy heritage of ethnic bigotry against, in this case, the Irish and other then-recent European immigrants. This bigotry drives a few of these immigrants from the US Army into the service of Mexico, in time for the war between both countries. In the movie Tom Berringer's character of John Riley is the leader of a small group of these deserters although, historically, John Riley was already in the command structure of Mexico's San Patricios some good time prior to the battle of Monterrey which is shown in the film. The unfortunate fact of the war for Mexico, other than it lost half its territory at war's end, was that her generals were incapable of winning a battle against the Americans. The movie certainly illustrates that point but, surprisingly the major Battle of Buena Vista is given only the slightest nod. I say "surprisingly" because during the course of the battle one single Mexican artillery unit created so much havoc on the American lines: the San Patricios! So many experienced artillerymen had joined the unit that its skill was considerable; formidable enough to warrant Zachary Taylor to single out the San Patricio Battalion's position on the battlefield and explicitly order his cavalry to "Take those Damn Guns!!" (which they never did). The movie's weakest point, I believe, is sacrificing the story of the unit and its men for the sake of telling a love story between Berringer's Riley character and the Marta character. More sympathy for the Patricio characters could've been generated by concentrating on the relationships between the small unit's men ala "Saving Private Ryan", than diverting the story into Riley's quest to find Marta prior to the final battle of Churubusco. Modern Americans' response to the notion of the San Patricios is that they were unjustified traitors who deserved hanging. The movie also could've better spent more of its time justifying the Patricio's cause rather than alluding to it being merely the result of the prohibition of attending Catholic Mass. Lastly, the overdubbed voice at the end of the movie seemed so ham-handed that the epilogue it provides could've been better served by an on screen written epilogue. Overall, the film is an OK though historically inaccurate retelling of the San Patricios' story. Granted historical film viewing should not be looked at as the equal of reading a history book, but the unfortunate fact is that many film goers tend to see both as equals. To be sure the battle of Monterrey is my pick for "highlight of the film". But if one wishes to be better acquainted with the San Patricios, one is better off reading a good book.

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• Fine, interesting film

  mercybell2003-06-06

  I was surprised by this movie. Not only is it incredibly interesting, but it has fine production values, good acting, and is alternately stirring and touching, yet ultimately tragic. Apparently the film received little or no press and release because of it's subject matter: The San Patricios or St. Patrick's Brigade for the Mexican Army who deserted the American Army because they were being discriminated against during the Mexican American War. It's a captivating story which I'm surprised I'd never heard before, though I don't understand why some people took so poorly to it, it's just history. All in all the filmmakers and cast did a fine job presenting this story very nicely. Recommended.

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