Rating: 
Summary: America's traitors are Hollywood's heroes
Review: In this era, when Hollywood prefers to produce anti-American propaganda, they have reached back 160 years to dredge up an old controversy. During the Mexican-American War of 1846-1848, a group of immigrants from Ireland decided that it was immoral for them to fight against their Catholic co-religionists, so they deserted to the Mexican side, and formed the St Patrick's Brigade. When the American side eventually won, the deserters were rounded up, and some 50 of their members were executed. Certainly no army of the nineteenth century would have been any more lenient (flogging and execution were common in the British armed forces of the time).An unintended consequence of the action of the St Patrick's Brigade was that, at a time when many Protestant Americans did not trust their Catholic fellow countrymen, they reinforced the idea that a Catholic will always bow to Rome, and support Catholic causes, even when they are injurious to American interests. This same prejudice, now seemingly proved, was to linger until the election of President John F. Kennedy, more than one hundred years later! In One Man's Hero, the traitors of the St Patrick's Brigade are elevated to the pantheon of people killed for the cause of freedom, with Tom Berenger leading a surprisingly lackluster cast. If you want to see some anti-American propaganda, then buy this movie, by all means. I give it 0 stars.
Rating: 
Summary: Worth the time
Review: It is hard to believe that reviewers are complaining about the overuse of cliché in this film. Geez, its Hollywood for goodness sake! There was just as much cliché in the Patriot and for that matter just as much artistic license. All in all, this film is very worthwhile and takes no more liberty with the facts then any good historical novel. And, the facts are that the US was the aggressor in the Mexican American War (Lincoln even brought impeachment charges), that the US executed the San Patricios over world protest, that Irish Catholics where an oppressed group. Granted the film could have benefited by a bit more editing. It was jumpy and the love interest never really blended well. Still it is well worth the purchase price and the time.
Rating: 
Summary: Good intentions, somewhat flawed film, fascinating topic
Review: Late 2003 addendum: Below is my original review posted in late 2000; it basically stands, but after a few further reviewings, I'm now inclined to be less harsh in my initial assessment (add a half star to the above rating). For one thing, I've decided that watching this in the widescreen format (the DVD offers both widescreen and standard format options) improves the overall experience enormously. The cinematography and production design are actually pretty solid, but this is not apparent in the compressed image. Opening up the screen really opens up the action and the composition is revealed to be much more careful and expressive than a cursory viewing reveals. The Mexican locations and sets are used to good effect. Important details that explain some of the battlefield actions are no longer lost off the edge of the screen. I'm also feeling more kindly toward the bravery of the filmmakers daring to make a film portaying the USA as an aggressor and hypocrite. No wonder this film saw only limited theatrical release (if any) -- in this post-9-11 environment, I doubt a movie of this type could be made at all by an American studio. We no longer wish our safe assumptions about our moral superiority questioned, or our honorable intentions impugned, despite a historical record that is often very shabby, as accurately depicted in "One Man's Hero." For many people, the truth hurts; yet, facing the truth is the only thing that allows us to grow as individuals and as a society. The day we cease our quest for understanding the truth about persons or nations, is the day that freedom dies. Perhaps this film beats the drum a bit too shrilly on behalf of the Irish, the Mexicans, the Catholics, but this provides useful balance to an industry that normally is only too happy to churn out mindless patriotic cheerleading and reminds the audience that the rest of the world does not necessarily turn a blind eye to our misdeeds. History is not black and white and does not begin or end at the American border. If we want the world's respect and cooperation today, we should be mindful of the lessons to be learned from our history, especially the less-than-savory episodes. Finally, a lingering criticism -- these rustic Irishmen are certainly well educated! There are a few too many quotations from famous works of literature to be believeable. original review:
***
There are huge themes to be examined in One Man's Hero; unfortunately, the film only pays cursory attention to these in favor of flat characters and stock war movie conventions. Where do a man's true loyalties lie? With country and flag? With his religious convictions? Or simply to those near and dear to him? If the script spent more time probing these questions and less on treading worn pathways, One Man's Hero might have risen beyond itself. As it is, we are left with an occasionally engaging but ultimately less-than-satisfying action-drama. A pity, because the Mexican War has almost never received any attention from the cinema, and the true story of the San Patricio Battalion -- Irish Catholic deserters from the US Army who took up arms for Mexico -- would make a tremendous epic in the right hands. There are too many references and borrowings from other historical movies, as if combining enough scenes or characters or snatches of dialogue from Braveheart et al. would fill the time between battle sequences (which are only average and frequently defy military logic -- didn't they employ any military advisors or other historical consultants/reenactors for this shoot?). The pace is slow, attempts at humor seem forced, and the motivations and historical context often unclear. The subplot involving the bandido gang is very awkward, intrusive, and unbelieveable and only interferes with the real storyline (imagine if the producers of Gettysburg had felt it necessary to add "romantic interest" in that movie, what a farce it would have been). Most of the North Americans are standard-issue villains and most of the Mexicans confused victims -- it's difficult to perceive real events and personalities at work. Even the two armies, apart from the San Patricios, are seen only as faceless automatons, lacking all definition, existing only to be slaughtered in obligatory slow-mo as their leaders fight one unexplained battle after another. Finally, the scene of Sgt. Riley's branding , for some reason, struck me as just HILARIOUS! in a Monty Python/Richard Lester sort of way, and I'm sure it was supposed to be anything but. (Is this a sign of poor acting/directing, a script in need of a rewrite, or just my own twisted reaction?) Like I say, a real pity. The story of the doomed battalion is one of great pathos and sacrifice that cuts across national boundaries. It still awaits its Shakespeare or Sophocles.
Rating:
Summary: Ruined by a romance!!
Review: Never before has a movie ever had such an unnecessary romance as this movie has. It's been said before in other films, but I've never seen a better example than this. You could remove all elements of the romance and the female character and every thing relating to her, and the movie would still run a smooth course. Otherwise, it's not all that bad. The battle scenes aren't that bad, and you'll find yourself saying "Give them the blizzard boys!" at least once afterward. But...man! If you have a remote control, use the fast forward button. If you watch the DVD skip the chapters...just avoid the romance. You won't miss any thing, trust me. I'd bet my soul on it. I really don't understand Hollywood...they claim only men watch war movies, but they add romance apparently to appease the women. But men don't like romance so why would they want that? It's the classic Catch-22 of Hollywood cliches. Didn't mean to digress there, but I sincerely believe this movie would have been better with out it. Ex nay the romance and you have a decent direct-to-video historical action flick. Leave it in and all you have is a direct-to-video flick.
Rating: 
Summary: Finally Hollywood tackles the US-Mexican War with dignity.
Review: Once in every long while Hollywood lives up to its responsibility to portray subject matters of substance and import to society and humankind at large. "One Man's Hero" is one such example. The US-Mexican War is the pivotal chapter in the history of North America. It is the war that sealed the fates of it's two participants. For the United States, the War garnered huge amounts of territory and wealth, bootstrapping the fledgling democracy onto the world stage. For Mexico, the War sent the emerging nation into a tailspin that it is still reckoning with today, one hundred fifty years later. In the United States the US-Mexican War is virtually forgotten, and for good reason, as it is the clearest example of our historical hypocrisy. The US-Mexican War was waged upon Mexico out of pure greed and moral righteousness. The remarkable part of the story is that at the time of this unjust invasion of our peaceful Catholic neighbor, Irish immigrants fresh off the coffin-ships from the Famine identified with Mexico's plight. Over a hundred years before the conscientious objectors of Vietnam, the 'San Patricios' were true heroes who fought and died for their religion, their convictions, their brethren, and their adopted homeland Mexico. While Henry David Thoreau invented civil disobedience in Massachusetts, refusing to pay his taxes to support this unjust invasion of Catholic Mexico, and while Abraham Lincoln stood in opposition to President Polk's scheme in Congress, the 'San Patricios' fought to the death in the front lines against the invading Yankees. Through the eyes of these Irish immigrants, we come to see the underbelly of North American history, and come to understand how we have arrived to such debates as anti-bilingual education in California, our collective guilt manifest in NAFTA, and anti-immigration xenophobia. Rarely does one film illicit such critically profound self reflection, and "One Man's Hero" makes us consider who we are and how we have arrived at the United States' Empire here at the turn of the millennium. The acting is superb, melding a stellar cast of as-of-yet unknown talent with Tom Berenger's best performance to date. The script is Shakespearean in it's tact and art. The direction demonstrates an unparalleled intimacy with the subject matter which leaves us gasping for air one moment and reaching for kleenex the next. This is a film in the grand tradition of Hollywood, a huge epic wrought large on the silver screen in the tradition of "Braveheart" "Dr. Zhivago" and "Dances with Wolves."
Rating:
Summary: Finally Hollywood tackles the US-Mexican War with dignity.
Review: Once in every long while Hollywood lives up to its responsibility to portray subject matters of substance and import to society and humankind at large. "One Man's Hero" is one such example. The US-Mexican War is the pivotal chapter in the history of North America. It is the war that sealed the fates of it's two participants. For the United States, the War garnered huge amounts of territory and wealth, bootstrapping the fledgling democracy onto the world stage. For Mexico, the War sent the emerging nation into a tailspin that it is still reckoning with today, one hundred fifty years later. In the United States the US-Mexican War is virtually forgotten, and for good reason, as it is the clearest example of our historical hypocrisy. The US-Mexican War was waged upon Mexico out of pure greed and moral righteousness. The remarkable part of the story is that at the time of this unjust invasion of our peaceful Catholic neighbor, Irish immigrants fresh off the coffin-ships from the Famine identified with Mexico's plight. Over a hundred years before the conscientious objectors of Vietnam, the 'San Patricios' were true heroes who fought and died for their religion, their convictions, their brethren, and their adopted homeland Mexico. While Henry David Thoreau invented civil disobedience in Massachusetts, refusing to pay his taxes to support this unjust invasion of Catholic Mexico, and while Abraham Lincoln stood in opposition to President Polk's scheme in Congress, the 'San Patricios' fought to the death in the front lines against the invading Yankees. Through the eyes of these Irish immigrants, we come to see the underbelly of North American history, and come to understand how we have arrived to such debates as anti-bilingual education in California, our collective guilt manifest in NAFTA, and anti-immigration xenophobia. Rarely does one film illicit such critically profound self reflection, and "One Man's Hero" makes us consider who we are and how we have arrived at the United States' Empire here at the turn of the millennium. The acting is superb, melding a stellar cast of as-of-yet unknown talent with Tom Berenger's best performance to date. The script is Shakespearean in it's tact and art. The direction demonstrates an unparalleled intimacy with the subject matter which leaves us gasping for air one moment and reaching for kleenex the next. This is a film in the grand tradition of Hollywood, a huge epic wrought large on the silver screen in the tradition of "Braveheart" "Dr. Zhivago" and "Dances with Wolves."
Rating:
Summary: History never taught
Review: One Man's Hero depicts an important part of United States and Mexican history that is not taught in the schools in the U.S. It tells the story of persecuted Irish immigrants landed in the U.S., moving to and becoming Mexican citizens and their role in the subsequent Mexican-American War making them Mexican heros. In Mexico, St. Patrick's day celebrates the heroism of the San Patricios. The history does not compliment the U.S. government and therefore is most likely the reason those of us in the U.S. have not been told about it. While the movie seems to drag in the begining, subsequent viewings reveal more important details to the viewer. While I would not give the movie 5 stars, the importance of the story itself surpasses the average qualtiy of directorship and hollywoodizing and therefore deserves 5 stars in the knowledge it reveals.
Rating:
Summary: Captivating film about a tragic story
Review: One Man's Hero is a beautiful film. Beneath any flaws in style and editing, discussions of touchy subject matter, etc. etc., it presents the incredible true story of a group of Irish immigrants who deserted the US army to fight with Mexico during the Mexican War to become the San Patricios. For an $ million film and fairly unknown director, it stands the test well and emerges an educational and compelling piece of moviemaking. Truth be told, there's nothing spectacular about the battle scenes or any groundbreaking aspects, but the collective strength of the cast and the solid script pay homage to these men. The film boasts several brilliant "moments", a sub-plot romance, wonderful performances from supporting cast, a thought provoking subject from the archives of history, and the drama and charismatic profundity of a lost cause and ultimate tragedy. Kudos to great score and utilizing the terrain to the benefit of the film. Though it's not a blazing Oscar candidate, this is a wonderful, sad, and highly personal film about human beings trying to make the best of an unusual and dangerous situation. It has a layered cultural atmosphere that is refreshing and enlightening, and no doubt you'll end the film with a new appreciation of history and belief in film.
Rating:
Summary: Innocent historical bystander.
Review: So there I am, sitting on my couch blissfully unaware of the fact that I am about to be awash in a 160 year old Irish/American/Mexican controversy, when suddenly and without warning, "One Man's Hero" should pop up on.... Several websites later, and after reading the customer reviews here, I find it interesting that a page in our history that has been virtually ignored for 160 years can still bring about such heated feelings of patriotism and racism. .... For the less sensitive and more open-minded however, this film while not that great, should at least be credited for it's willingness to shed light on both an obscure and shameful part of U.S. history. I will agree with the above mentioned patriot that at times there does seem to be an over willingness in the media to trash Uncle Sam and the American way of life. But, this is a true story and truth and justice are the American way. Aren't they? People that turn their backs on history, scare me. So let's learn from our mistakes, and let's all get along. Okay? By the way, there are several books out there about the "San Patricios" both historical and fictional, if your interested.
Rating:
Summary: War is Hell
Review: The movie was a decent portrayal of an unusual event in the War with Mexico, however I do not agree with Mr. Dominguez' racially biased diatribe. The Irish soldiers deserted the American army and aided and abetted the enemies of the United States in a time of war which then, as is now, was an act of treason punishable by death. This movie was no "Braveheart" or "Dr. Zhivago" as Mr.Dominguez suggests rather, just another tragic tale in the history of the Irish Catholics. Throughout their history, many of the Irish Catholics have sided with despotic leaders such as Napoleon, Santa Anna, Kaiser Wilhelm and Hitler simply because these people were the enemies of Irish Catholic enemies. War is hell Mr. Dominguez, especially for the losers.
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