<p>故事发生在美国独立战争时。本杰明（梅尔•吉布森 Mel Gibson 饰）是法国裔美国人，他曾参加过法国人与印第安人的战争，身经百战。残酷的战争令他失去了心爱的妻子，他发誓要永远远离战争。
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&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;所以当英国殖民者将战争烧到本杰明的家园时，他首先选择的不是奋起反抗，而是躲避。当他看到他的大儿子参加了当地组织的爱国者军队时，也没有跟着挺身而出。
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&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;但是，当他的大儿子被敌军俘虏，小儿子挺身去救哥哥而被打死时，本杰明再也按捺不住了。他这时才清楚意识到，只有反抗才能解救家园于水火。</p>
