One Man's Hero

Starring:Tom Berenger, Joaquim de Almeida, Daniela Romo, Mark Moses, Stuart Graham, Gregg Fitzgerald, Don Wycherley, Wolf Muser, Luke Hayden, Ilia Volokh, Patrick Bergin, James Gammon, Carlos Carrasco, Stephen Tobolowsky, Dermot Martin, Jason Hool, Garrison Hershberger, Steve Leone, Jorge Bosso, Luis Lorenzo
Director: Lance Hool
Studio: MGM (Video & DVD)
Product Type: DVD

Amazon.com

This historical drama set during the Mexican War is ambitious and tries to grapple with some serious themes, but it also tends to meander before finally finding a dramatic conclusion. Tom Berenger, who puts in a credible performance as an Irishman serving as an officer in the U.S. Army of the late 1840s, impulsively rides off with band of deserters, fellow Irish immigrants who have been persecuted for practicing their Catholic religion in the ranks. Berenger's character and the rebellious Irish lads flee into the hills of Mexico, where they are quickly taken captive by banditos who happen to be encamped with beautiful señoritas wearing dresses that can just never stay up on both shoulders at once. A romantic plot begins, but is put aside while Berenger and his men form their own Irish brigade to fight with the Mexicans against the U.S. troops invading from the north. After a series of hard-fought battles, their endeavors end disastrously. The setting of the Mexican War is a welcome change from most military adventure films, but unfortunately the screenplay seldom breaks away from a languid pace and clichéd situations, and what drama can be mustered plays out predictably. --Robert J. McNamara

Description

Beautifully photographed (Boxoffice), this intriguing film (The Hollywood Reporter) tells the powerful true tale of the Saint Patrick Battalion, a group of soldiers enlisted from Ireland to fight a brutal war between the U.S. and Mexico. Solid performances from Tom Berenger (Gingerbread Man), Joaquim De Almeida (Clear and Present Danger) and Patrick Bergin (Sleeping With the Enemy) drive home this film's universal story about standing up for one's beliefs in the face of adversity. When a small group of Irish soldiersfighting for the U.S. during the Mexican-American Warare treated harshly for their religious convictions, fellow compatriot and career soldier Sergeant John Reilly (Berenger) takes up their cause and leads them in a desperate escape across the border into the enemy territory of Mexico. Now, they must convince a Mexican rebel leader (De Almeida) to let them fight against the U.S. so they can protect their beliefs and save their own lives from the punishment for treason!

Customer Reviews:

"An Unjust War" - GRANT.......2007-03-15

Provides a limited snapshot of the Brigada San Patricio who fought for Mexico against slave state expansion(1846-48) and for their religious rights. Of the 900 men (some with experience of the Napoleonic wars in Europe, is estimated that approximately 30% were German speaking).

Background:-
In Europe Republican Democracy was replaced by the Monarchies (1815).
Post the American war of independence, Article 5 of the Paris treaty (Nov1782), American democrats had to guarantee the `the rights of confiscated `property' of Loyalist Americans (this included slaves and estates). Although small loyalist farmers lost out, the larger Southern plantations owned by English aristocrats remained. Less than 5% of loyalist left for Europe, Canada or the Caribbean. Little changed from the `Ancienne Regime' with dominance in Banking, Universities and levers of foreign policy. This was exemplified in the bombardment (December1831) of the Argentinean Malvinas islands by the Lexington, facilitating the first English invasion (BAU).
Slave power continued to be the main economic driving forces in the southern states of the new world. Within the slave states, non slaveholding whites were barred (Foner) from important offices and opportunities. With the Missouri line `Dixiland' could only expand west or south.

The Slave States:-
The Mexican constitution's (1824) abolition of slavery, in particular the sale of slaves incensed slave traders. In 1827 President John Adams offered Mexico US$1 Million to buy Tecas, in 1829 President Andrew Jackson tried with an offer of US$5 million but was also rejected.
Austin and Houston (both of Virginia) were instigators of the Tecas land grab. The addition of Texas to the Union as a slave state, was blocked until the election in 1844 of president Polk.

In 1836 the `Republics' of Texas and Yucatan were recognized by England and diplomatic missions were established in London.
The Anglo special interests was cemented with an alleged visit to England by the State 'President' Sam Huston and an audience with the English Queen Victoria.
The Texans wanted their support in order to maintain their status as a slave state and for further annexation.

Manifest Destiny:-
Manifest Destiny, was used by southern based Jackson Democrats in the 1840s, to promote the annexation of much of the Western United States (Indian lands, the Oregon Territory, the Texas Annexation, and the Mexican Cession). Jacksonian democracy (in contrast to the Jeffersonian) promoted the strength of the executive branch and the Presidency at the expense of Congressional power.
President Polk (1845-49,North Carolina) defeated Henry Clay (Kentucky) on a pro-slavery, expansionist platform.
Polk's US government was opposed by the Republican party with strong beliefs in opposing slave power. They vigorously argued that free labor was superior to slavery and the very foundation of civic virtue and true American values. "Free soil, free labor, free speech, free men".

The War:-
When Polk efforts to buy California and other states from Mexico were rebuked, he decided to provoke war. He ordered General Zachariou Taylor (who owned more than 100 slaves in Louisiana & Mississippi) into Mexico beyond the Neuces river (Corpus Christi).
Lincoln denounced the war in Congress. Thoreau went to jail rather than pay taxes to support it, and Ulysses Grant (who served in Mexico) described it as "the most unjust war ever waged by a stronger against a weaker nation". The Catholic Hierarchy more interested in protecting Anglo interests in the period of the legalisation of the Catholic church in England, sent two priests McEvoy (GaelicSpeaker) and Rein (GermanSpeaker) to stem the flow of support for Mexico.
The movie does not do justice to the pivotal complex period and merely gives frustrating brief fleeting glimpses of the battles. The plot centers around the personal story of John Riley (O'Reilly - with a street in Habana Vieja named after him), who had been in the North American Army prior to leading the brigade.
Knowing what would be their fate, the Brigade fought hard and bravely and only surrendered when badly wounded or out of ammunition.
Foos book documents the repellent figure of Col. (later General) William Harney, (an Irish-Catholic officer in the U.S. Army who became notorious for his sadistic treatment of captured San Patricios). Harney had been frequently charged with disobeying orders and of sexually abusing Native American women and hanging them the next day (during ethnic cleansing of the Black Hawk War).
The annexed territory comprised of arid zones unsuitable for slave plantations and thus efforts were then made to make further purchases of territory in Cuba, Central America and elsewhere.

The Aftermath:-
The references below provide some examples of the correspondence by Grant, Lee, Sherman, Taylor, Scott, Bragg on their personal experiences of the Mexican war prior to the Northern Civil War (1861-65).
Republicans opposed Slave Power emphasised higher education, banking, railroads, industry and cities, while promising free homesteads to farmers.
The Kansas-Nebraska Act (1854) expanded slavery north into Kansas. Early ante-bellum laws passed indicate their vision of the future. Activists denounced it as proof of the power of the `Slavistocracy' conspiring to control the federal government and to spread slavery nationwide.
In New York slavery was abolished only in 1827 and a re-introduction was attempted again following the act.
Implementation of the `Fugitive Slave act' (1850) along with the need to fix the route of the railways finally triggered the American Civil War.

In the Civil War, Irish Fenians joined the Union forces en masse (under the banner of `los Patricios' - the 'Fighting 69th', 63rd, and 88th New York, 116th Pennsylvania and 28th Massachusetts Regiments - witness Colonel Corcoran, General John O'Neill, Thomas Meagher etc).
Republicanism and political ferment against the injustices of 'Old Europe' and it's social order was manifested in uprisings - in France against the French kings 'Louis XVIII','Charles X' and Emperor Napoleon III (1830-'Les Miserables', 1848 & 1870-'Paris Commune') in Germany, Italy, Austria etc. Rebellions in Ireland - 1803 (Emmet), 1848 (Young Irelanders) and the 1867 (Fenians-in the period of the last big Famine - the Irish Holocaust 1845-49).

Further Information:-
'Los Soldados Irlandeses de Mexico' Hogan ISBN:9687846070, 'The Rogue's March' ISBN:1574887386, 'Short Killing Affair by Foos ISBN:0807854050, 'Rise of the English Empire in the American South' Gallay ISBN:0300101937, 'Irish Slave Girl' by McCafferty ISBN:014200183X, `Fate of their Country' by Holt ISBN:0809095181, `Free Soil, Free Labor, Free Men' Foner ISBN:0195094972, `1831 Year of Eclipse' Masur ISBN:0809041197, `Duffy's Cut' ISBN0275987272 &9780275987275, 'California Gold Rush and the Coming of the Civil War' by Richards ISBN:030726520X`Thread Softly' ISBN:0863276482, 'Holland, 1841-1914: Inventor of the Modern Submarine' Morris ISBN:157003236X, 'Devoy's Postbag, 1871-1918 by O'Brien ISBN:0906187052 and `Story of the Great Irish Famine, 1845-1850' Cambell-Bartoletti ISBN:0618548831

Blizzards! Give 'em blizzards, boys!.......2007-02-27

I bought the video of this film and watched it for the third or fourth time recently. The movie improves the more I watch it as I pick up more of the dialogue, which is very insightful. I think the acting is really quite good despite the script. All things considered, I think the film is a worthwhile experience and I recommend it, although that was not my first impression, since initially I was disappointed that the reasons behind the defection of the Catholic soldiers to the Mexican side were not dramatized more effectively, and my biggest complaint was the whole subplot involving Sgt. John Riley (Tom Berenger) enduring the lame romance with a helpful Mexican senorita, surviving under the watchful eye of her jealous boyfriend who also happens to be the leader of a revolutionary band of banditos.

Now I think it is probably good that few scenes are devoted to the anti-Catholic persecution that occurred in the U.S. army of that period which drove the Irish and other European Catholic soldiers out of the American camp (they had every right to flee their persecutors). Greater development of the persecution suffered by Riley and his men would have created more tension for the battle scenes that occurred later and the subsequent capture of the Irish brigade, but it would take a top notch director to make 'entertainment' out of what in effect was torture, religious bigotry, and racism. The anti-Catholic persecution is glossed over by the filmmakers and probably needed to be or else the end result would have been a really dark film.

Similarly, the romance between Tom Berenger's character (John Riley) and the Mexican senorita who nurses him back to health after he and his men are jumped by Mexican banderos is probably necessary. There is no historic evidence of John Riley having a romantic fling during his dramatic days in Mexico, but that's cinematic license for you. The filmmakers have taken a liberty, it adds absolutely nothing to the story, but it fills in many minutes of on-screen time that would have been filled with anti-Catholic hatred and Tom Berenger commanding his canoneers to 'Give em blizzards of grape, boys!'

I would love to see the San Patricio story turned into a film that is more true to the facts (minus the distracting romance). Still, the many scenes where the San Patricios exchange the characteristically brilliant Irish quips with each other make the film enjoyable, as well as their heroic expoloits on the battle field, where they give the yanks all they can handle. If I were Roger Ebert I'd give this a thumbs up.

Based on TRUE events!!.......2006-03-25

This film is based on true events in history. It is NOT anti- U.S. propaganda! Most U.S. citizens don't know the true facts
of this least discussed dirty U.S. war.

The acting is good and the story even better. I recommend this
film to people who wish to be enlightened and educated concerning Mexico & U.S. history.

I also recommend the book "The Irish Soldiers of Mexico" by Michael Hogan. (Available on Amazon.com!)

Ouch.......2004-06-23

This boring movie tells the story of a group of Irish Immigrants who joined the United States Army only for the sake of getting the citizenship. Once they did, they betray this very army because "they're" discriminated on religious and ethnic views.

A smart man once said "Believe nothing what you hear, and only half of what you see". Apart from historical dates, I don't think any of what we've seen in this movie actually happened. It possibly couldn't.

If Oscars were given for the bad movies - this one surely would get at least 10.

Don't waste your time on this movie.

Has its flaws, but well worth a look.......2004-06-06

Without going into the plot (others below have done it) I'll just say that this a fairly good historical pic about a period in U.S. history you don't hear much about, the Mexican War. It was not the most shining moment in our history, as basically we were the aggressors and the war was a land grab. Those who call this movie "anti-American" must be the "we-can-do-no-wrong" types (as opposed to the blame-America-first liberals, who think we are the source of the world's problems! The truth, of course, is somewhere in between.)

Anyways, while obviously not a big-budget film, director Lance Hool does a good job with what he has. Go into this expecting it to be at the quality level of a good made-for-TV pic and you won't be disappointed. Also, if you're the type of viewer who needs an action scene every five minutes or else you think the movie is "boring," give this one a miss. It has more to do with story and character than with battle sequences. Berenger is quite good in the lead (although I couldn't help picturing Mel Gibson in this role, what with its William Wallace-type overtones) and most of the rest of the cast is ok too, with a couple exceptions in secondary roles. I do agree with the other reviewers that the romance should have been scrapped. As important as the film's quality, though, is the story it tells, and it's apparent that those who made this film cared about that story. Some sequences are quite moving, and even though I am not a Catholic, I can sympathize with the characters in this story who have to make a choice between loyalties to their country and their faith.

Doug Stanhope - Deadbeat Hero
Average customer rating:

Doug Stanhope's Best Work to Date

UUUUUH!!!!!! NOBODY SAID THIS WAS IN BLACK AND WHITE

The Best Stand-up Routine of the 21st Century! A must buy!

Doug Stanhope - Deadbeat Hero
Starring: Doug Stanhope
Manufacturer: Shout Factory
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video
Stand-Up | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video | HBO Stand-Up Comedy
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Release Date: 2004-08-24

Description

Doug Stanhope-Deadbeat Hero thrusts you into the twisted, brutally funny world of this acclaimed comic. In a performance that serves up everything from graphic perversion to stinging social criticism, Stanhope proves himself to be one of the few comedians around with a gift for making the ugly truths of modern life downright hilarious. Topics like abortion, liberty, war and vasectomies get filtered through his raw, uninhibited comedy, and the result is an unforgettable show guaranteed to entertain, offend and enlighten. Taped earlier this year in Seattle, WA, Doug's set runs over 90 minutes!

BONUS FEATURES:

Street Rants
Doug Stanhope: Behind The Mullet
Screen Saver
Includes Bonus Audio Disc!

Customer Reviews:

Doug Stanhope's Best Work to Date.......2007-02-09

If you've only seen Doug Stanhope on "The Man Show" or slanging "Girls Gone Wild" videos, you may be reluctant to see his stand-up comedy. That's how I felt until I actually heard his material. Stanhope is one of the best working comics today. His material is very well thought-out and perfectly delivered. He works blue, period. With that said, this DVD or any of his CDs are not for the easily offended.

I like how this release is very stripped down and it feels like you are in the smoky and cramped comedy club. It's shot in black and white which further adds to the documentary type of feel it has. His performance is just incredible. You soon realize you're watching a veteran professional comic in his element and completely comfortable on stage. His material is hilarious as well as varied. On one end of the spectrum he can do [...] jokes but on the polar opposite end, he speaks philosophically.

As his set progresses, and as he gets more intoxicated, it's similar to watching a performance art piece. His delivery almost becomes stream of consciousness and he riffs mercilessly on the government, the war, human relations and everything in between.

If you appreciate stand-up as an artform, this is mandatory viewing. I would rank Stanhope with the likes of Dave Attell and Bill Hicks.

UUUUUH!!!!!! NOBODY SAID THIS WAS IN BLACK AND WHITE.......2005-02-03

I PUT THE DVD IN AND ITS IN BLACK-AND-WHITE
SO I FIGURE ITS DEFECTIVE SINCE AMAZON SAID (Format:color)
SO I DRIVE ALL THE WAY TO ANOTHER TOWN JUST TO BUY ANOTHER ONE
AND I GET HOME AND ITS BLACK-AND-WHITE ALSO
I JUST THOUGHT YOU PEOPLE SHOULD KNOW CUZ THE QUALITY IS HORRIBLE
BUT I GOTTA SAY THIS IS A HELL OF A SHOW
COLOR OR NO COLOR IT KIKS
BUY IT ANYWAY
IN FACT IM GONNA GO WATCH IT AGAIN CUZ I MISSED ALOT
CUZ I KEPT THINKIN HOW LAME IT IS TO HAVE A BLACK-AND-WHITE DVD

The Best Stand-up Routine of the 21st Century! A must buy!.......2004-08-24

For those of you have never heard Doug Stanhope perform his material, there are two things you need to know: No. 1, Stanhope is a comic genuis. I'll tell why in a minute. He's also likely to offend just about everybody in the audience at one time or another. That said, I would recommend this DVD to anybody in the country who is into comedy, politics or the human condition.

On "Deadbeat Hero," Stanhope tackles all of the most relevant and controversial issues of our times: Abortion, "liberty," war, whether blindly supporting the troops is a good thing, the drug war, the Alabama-Mississippi ban on dildos and other sex toys, gay marriage and priest molestations. More bizarre topics include two-head babies, his suicidal cat-lady mother, an erotic story about a woman with 44 holes instead of the standard three, and the "rules of war." Stanhope also relates the time he performed for the Benefit for Fallen Officers, argues whether democracy is a flawed theorty and then provides a convincing argument as to why this is far from being a free country.

That's an awful lot of issues to deal with in one comic routine. In fact, it's mind-staggering. But Stanhope does it with the ease of rapping with friends while drinking a beer. To make that type of material consistently funny is next to impossible.

As an entertainment writer, I have known Stanhope since 1995. He was just reaching the point where his three-year journey living in his car while traveling from gig to gig was coming to an end.

The first time I saw him, I was laughing so hard my stomach began to hurt and I had trouble catching my breath. Not just once either. Many times. He wore a $10 suit and pants outfit that he bought earlier in the day at the Salvation Army.

I have seen Stanhope live numerous times since then. More than a dozen, I would guess.

What makes Stanhope truly a comic genius is that he is not afraid to try new things. In fact, the person he is forces him to write new material. Most comedians, even very good ones, will keep at least 15-30 minutes of material that works in their act for years. It's very difficult to write a 45-minute routine of solid material. Heck, it's hard to write for five minutes. Did I mention that Stanhope's "Deadbeat Hero" is a staggering 95 minutes?? And there's nary a slow spot in the act. It goes very quickly.

When I first saw Stanhope, he was mainly an auto-biographical comedian. He lived a very non-mainstream type of life that provided much food for fodder when it came to writing material. And he has always been capable of writing even bad experiences in a funny way. And his delivery, slow, yet confident with a baby-boy face that used to make some of his more "shocking" jokes go over. His baby-face has grown a little harder though over the years.

And now Stanhope has an entirely new act. There isn't one joke or bit from the first time I saw him. And his early 1995-96 routines were filled with brilliant bits. Any comedian who wants to see how to put together a routine on a difficult subject, or any fan of comedy, needs to listen to Stanhope's five- to seven-minute bit about the tragic flight of (Cant' remember plane's number) back east about seven or eight years ago. Stanhope still considers it his favorite bit.

But he's let them all go as he constantly works on improving and changing his act. That's also why I've seen Doug suck a few times on stage too. When you try new material, some of it's going to bomb no matter how good you are. Michael Jordan missed wide open jump shots. It happens.

But therein lies Stanhope's genius. A self-called road warrior, Stanhope prides himself in being one of the best stand-up comedians in the country. He's not interested in being on TV other than it pays well, he gets more recognition which in turns means he gets a little more when performs live. Don't ask him if he's "made it" because he was on "The Man Show." The way he sees it, he made it years ago.

In his early years, most of his material, exceptions being the TWA bit, was auto-biographical. He spoke of having sex with transvestite midget hookers and other things that escape me at the moment.

On "Deadbeat Hero," Stanhope tackles the most difficult issues: What society is dealing with now. I never cease to be amazed at how he comes up with such brilliant and funny comments about recent events. Regardless of what you may think of his material, and some of you will be offended, the man needs to be respected for his willingness to constantly evolve and try something new. He speaks from his heart. I know for a fact that 90 percent of what he tells you on stage about himself is basically true.

"Deadbeat Hero" is a relevant DVD in much the same way that Michael Moore's "Fahrenheit 9/11" is. Stanhope has well-thought out points and he expresses them beautifully.

I laughed very hard at times watching this DVD and at other times I just listened and said, "Yes, Doug, you're so right!" So in some ways, it's not as consistently funny as some of his older auto-biographical material.

But it's so much more important. This is a socially relevant DVD (it also comes with a free CD of the concert) that all teens and adults should see. Any fan of comedy must see Stanhope, who is simply at his best here.

And the cinematography gives it an underground feel, which is appropriate since the concert was filmed at the Comedy Underground in Seattle.

The CD also includes five street rants by Stanhope backed by his buddy Banjo Randy. Very funny and he makes solid points.

And as if Stanhope doesn't reveal enough of his true self, both "good" and "bad," during his routines, he includes an extra feature called "Behind the Mullet." When I met him, he had a mullet. Of course, so did I.

This shows about five to 10 minutes of Stanhope when he was young, as young as 17, until about 26 or 27. It's amazing to watch the young Stanhope and see that even then, he possessed his unique way of talking to people and making them smile, understand or walk out in rage.

This is an absolute must-have for anyone who watches comedy on DVD or listens to it on CD.

I would compare him to Lenny Bruce or Bill Hicks, but that wouldn't be fare to Bruce, Hicks or Stanhope. He's good enough that he's his own man. And some day some other young comic will unfairly be compared to Stanhope.

In the meantime, buy this DVD. A true must-have.

Paylancer

P.S. There's an abortion bit in here that will make most people cringe and think, "Did he really say that?" Yes, he did, because he's the Great White Stanhope

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