One Man's Hero facts for kids

Quick facts for kids One Man's Hero
DVD cover
Directed by	Lance Hool
Produced by	Lance Hool William J. MacDonald Conrad Hool
Written by	Milton S. Gelman
Starring	Tom Berenger Joaquim de Almeida Daniela Romo Patrick Bergin
Music by	Ernest Troost
Cinematography	João Fernandes
Editing by	Mark Conte
Studio	Hool/Macdonald Productions
Distributed by	Orion Classics (US) The Kushner-Locke Company (overseas)
Release date(s)	September 24, 1999 (1999-09-24)
Running time	126 minutes
Country	United States Mexico Spain
Language	English

One Man's Hero is a movie from 1999. It's a historical drama about war. It was directed by Lance Hool and stars Tom Berenger, Joaquim de Almeida, and Daniela Romo. This movie was the last one released by Orion Classics, a special part of Orion Pictures. It was also the last Orion Pictures movie until 2013, when the company was brought back.

The film tells the true story of John Riley and the Saint Patrick's Battalion. This group was made up of Irish Catholic immigrants. They left the U.S. Army, which was mostly Protestant. They joined the mostly Catholic Mexican side instead. This happened during the Mexican–American War, which lasted from 1846 to 1848.

Story of the Film: The Mexican-American War

The story begins with Sgt. John Riley and 16 men from his U.S. Army group. They were punished for leaving their post. They had gone to the Mexican side of the border. They wanted to attend Mass, which is a religious service. Their commanders thought they were "Papists" (Catholics) and questioned their loyalty.

Sgt. Riley helps his men escape punishment. He takes them across the border into Mexico. They hope to find a ship back to Ireland from Vera Cruz. But they are captured by a revolutionary named Juan Cortina. Riley is hurt and cared for by Cortina's friend, Marta.

Joining the Mexican Army

While Cortina decides what to do with Riley and his men, news arrives. The U.S. and Mexico are now at war. Because of this, the Irish soldiers are given a choice. They can join the Mexican Army and fight on their side. They decide to form their own group, led by Riley.

Riley becomes a captain. He is in charge of all the Irish-immigrant U.S. soldiers. More and more Irish soldiers join the Mexican side. They are given their own green flag. Their group is called the Saint Patrick's Battalion.

Battles and Decisions

The movie shows several important battles. A cease-fire (a stop to fighting) is agreed upon. Meanwhile, in the U.S., the Senate threatens to remove President Polk from office. Many people in the U.S. are against the war with Mexico.

The cease-fire ends, and fighting starts again. General Zachary Taylor, unlike General Winfield Scott, does not like the war. But he follows orders from his commander.

As Mexico starts losing the war, Riley's men discuss what to do. There is a big difference between leaving your post before a war and leaving during a war. Those who left before the war would be whipped and marked. Those who left after the war started would be executed (killed) as traitors. They decide to fight bravely for freedom.

Capture and Punishment

Eventually, Riley's men lose the battle. Cortina escapes with many of his fighters. The Irish soldiers are taken prisoner. Many of them are still officially British citizens. They were never given the U.S. citizenship they were promised for joining the U.S. Army.

General Winfield Scott refuses to see Riley's men as Mexican citizens or prisoners of war. Many countries protest their harsh punishment. Scott insists that the soldiers who left before the war will be whipped and branded. Those who left after the war started will be executed. They will be forced to watch the capture of Chapultepec. They must see the Mexican flag lowered and the U.S. flag raised. They will be executed at that exact moment.

The Execution Day

On the day of their execution, Riley is whipped 50 times. Then, a large letter D is burned onto his right cheek. The soldier ordered to do it is told to be quick. Riley must be awake when it happens. The soldier is shaken and burns the letter on upside down. He is told to do it again, but he gets sick. So, the officer in charge brands Riley's left cheek.

Riley is then forced to watch the executions. He shouts words of encouragement to his men. They shout back as they are executed.

Aftermath

Some time later, Riley is working in a stone quarry for military prisoners. His former U.S. commander tells him he is free. Riley replies, "I have always been free."

Riley returns to Mexico. He finds Cortina and Marta, who is still alive. Marta still has the green flag of the St. Patrick's Battalion. Cortina sees Marta's love for Riley and leaves. Riley and Marta go off into the wilderness. The movie ends by explaining that General Winfield Scott, who wanted to be U.S. President, lost the election. General Zachary Taylor, who wanted peace, was elected instead.

Main Actors and Characters

• Tom Berenger as Sergeant / Lieutenant / Captain John Riley
• Joaquim de Almeida as Cortina
• Daniela Romo as Marta
• Mark Moses as Colonel Benton Lacy
• Stuart Graham as Corporal Kenneally
• Gregg Fitzgerald as Paddy Noonan
• Don Wycherley as Brian Athlone
• Wolf Muser as Corporal Schultz
• Luke Hayden as Seamus McDougherty
• Ilia Volok as Daniel Grzbalski
• Patrick Bergin as General Winfield Scott
• James Gammon as General Zachary Taylor
• Carlos Carrasco as Dominguez
• Stephen Tobolowsky as Captain Gaine
• Jorge Bosso as Col. Maximo Nexor
• Roger Cudney as Col. Harney

Prince Albert of Monaco had a small role in the movie. He used the stage name Kelly, which was his mother's maiden name. He has a connection to Mexico through his grandfather.

Awards and Recognition

See also

In Spanish: One Man's Hero para niños