William S. Hart's The Patriot was released. It tells the story of Bob Wiley, a Spanish-American war veteran and New Mexico rancher whose gold-rich land is robbed by crooked politicians. The embittered Wiley decides to join the forces of Mexican bandit Pancho Zapilla (aka Pancho Villa) who is planning to attack the United States. At the last minute, however, he has a change of heart and ends up thwarting Zapilla's plans. Hence the title. The New York Tribune had this to say about the movie: "Next to the galloping horse there is nothing which brings a Western tang to a picture so successfully as the fine, long, melancholy face of William S. Hart. Mr. Hart can do things with his eyes and the corners of his mouth that almost make you hear the sweep of the wind, and see rolling country and hear hoof beats."(Adapted from Diane Kaiser Koszarski, The Complete Films of William S. Hart)
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