Posted by Rich on September 01, 1999 at 05:54:46:
Hopefully, as a supplement to Soldier #2's reports ...
Compliments of "The State" - Columbia, SC newspaper ... 8/29/99
Mel Gibson stars as Benjamin Martin - based on the real-life, Francis Marion, aka The Swamp Fox ... a partisan leader who wrecked havoc on the British with his hit & run raids.
A Revolutionary War replica village is being constructed in Chester County, where along with York County, much of the filming will be done. The village will be partially burned by the British. The Hightower Plantation House, in Brattonsville, will be one film location. Crews are expected to be in these counties, where good pasture land has been leased, from September through November. Filming will then shift to the Coastal Lowlands for the swamp scenes (including Berkeley County).
Cast members will be staying in the Lake Wylie & Rock Hill areas. Other cast includes: Heath Ledger as Gibson's son, Joely Richardson as his better half, Jason Issacs as British Dragoon leader, Col. William Tavington (based on the real-life, Banastre Tarleton), Chris Cooper as Gibson's brother, & Tom Wilkinson as British General Lord Cornwallis.
The production includes folks who did "Saving Private Ryan" (script) & "Independence Day" (director & producer). Estimated budget: $80 million.
On Thursday, September 2 the project will be officially unveiled in York County at Historic Brattonsville living history plantation, south of Rock Hill. Cast will be present.
Filming begins on September 7.
Look forward to further reports from Soldier #2!