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Similar to One Man's Hero
One Man's Hero tells the little-known story of the "St. Patrick's Battalion" or "San Patricios," a group of mostly Irish and other immigrants of the Catholic faith who deserted to Mexico after encountering religious and ethnic prejudice in the U.S. Army during the Mexican-American War. The plot centers around the personal story of John Riley, an Irishman who had been a sergeant in the American Army who is commissioned as a captain in the Mexican army and commands the battalion, as he leads his men in battle and struggles with authorities on both sides of the border
Captain John Riley
Cortina
Marta
Col. Benton Lacy
Corporal Kenneally
Paddy Noonan
Brian Athlone
Cpl. Schultz
Seamus McDougherty
Daniel Grzbalski
General Winfield Scott
General Zachary Taylor
Dominguez
Captain Gaine
Terrific material; terrible movie. By the nineteenth century, Irish catholic soldiers had centuries of experience abroad, in the service of the British Empire, as well as in continental armies and across South America. Here, the St Patrick's Battalion, a largely Irish unit, defends Mexico in the Mexican-American War (1846-1848). There are complex subjects here – American imperialism and racism, patriotism and pan-religious loyalties – all in the period of the Great Famine (1845-1852). But the film is so melodramatic, so poorly produced, directed, and acted, that it’s difficult to trust any of it, even by the standards of historical accuracy in film.
August 2, 1999
Captain John Riley
Cortina
Marta
Col. Benton Lacy
Corporal Kenneally
Paddy Noonan
Brian Athlone
Cpl. Schultz
Seamus McDougherty
Daniel Grzbalski
General Winfield Scott
General Zachary Taylor
Dominguez
Captain Gaine
Terrific material; terrible movie. By the nineteenth century, Irish catholic soldiers had centuries of experience abroad, in the service of the British Empire, as well as in continental armies and across South America. Here, the St Patrick's Battalion, a largely Irish unit, defends Mexico in the Mexican-American War (1846-1848). There are complex subjects here – American imperialism and racism, patriotism and pan-religious loyalties – all in the period of the Great Famine (1845-1852). But the film is so melodramatic, so poorly produced, directed, and acted, that it’s difficult to trust any of it, even by the standards of historical accuracy in film.
