The story takes place during the American Revolutionary War. Benjamin (Mel Gibson) is a French-American who has participated in the war between the French and the Indians and has experienced many battles. The cruel war caused him to lose his beloved wife, and he vowed to stay away from war forever. So when the British colonists burned the war to Benjamin's home, his first choice was not to resist, but to hide. When he saw his eldest son joined the local Patriot Army, he did not stand up. However, when his eldest son was captured by the enemy and his youngest son stood up to save his brother and was killed, Benjamin could no longer hold back. He then clearly realized that only resistance could save his homeland from fire and water.