Mel Gibson's lush, savage Revolutionary War epic is given the royal treatment in this DVD from Columbia-TriStar. The film is shown in an anamorphic widescreen presentation, which preserves the original 2.35:1 aspect ratio. In addition, the digital mastering makes for a clearer picture with crisp, vibrant colors. The sound is presented in Dolby Digital 5.1, so viewers won't miss one thundering musket or crunching cannonball. As for extras, The Patriot does not disappoint. Director Roland Emmerich and producer Dean Devlin offer a feature-length commentary that offers some good insights into the making of the picture. The commentary at times seems to be improvised, however, occasionally leading to some distracting asides and in-jokes. The Patriot also offers a host of deleted scenes, which feature an optional commentary and serve to expand some of the film's subplots and characters. Viewers are also treated to three behind-the-scenes featurettes. The first of these offers a tutorial on the creation of the film's gorier special effects, while the other two provide an interesting look at the filmmaker's painstaking efforts to bring American history to life. For fans of the film, this is a must-own. For the uninitiated, it offers an excellent chance to experience The Patriot.