Patton

Rating:
Summary: Classic epic war film
Review: George C. Scott's finest performance as the larger-than-life General Patton. Apart from Patton's military career, this film tries to uncover who the man really was. The genius of modern warfare? A romantic warrior from another time? Or perhaps a crackpot? Perhaps Patton was all of these and more.

Even in the massive scope of WWII this film keeps Patton firmly at the center. Regardless of his historical contributions to the war effort, we see him as the stuff of legend -- the kind of epic hero about whom poets like Homer used to sing.

As we follow his breathtaking career from the North Africa campaign to the end of the war, we see how Patton's ongoing collisions with the Nazis rivaled those against his own soldiers and superiors.Here was a man who only found purpose in warfare and who almost failed to appreciate it's painful, human element.

In the end, Patton triumphs, only to acknowledge that he is just playing a part in a historical drama.

Rating:
Summary: "We're not holding anything. We are advancing!"
Review: A tremendous achievement, largely due to the performance of George C. Scott. Considering when this film was made (1970), it could have easily been a heavy handed indictment of things that harmed flowers and other living things. Instead we get a brilliant and innovative character study of a complicated warrior who believed in re-incarnation and the ultimate power of war and violence. Patton was a man who read his bible religiously (no pun intended) yet gloried in using the enemy's living guts to grease the wheels of his tanks. This is definitely a 'warts and all" bio-pic. The Director, Franklin Schaffner, had a knack for making serious, no-frills movies (Pappillon, Boys from Brazil) with no superfluous romance or comic relief, and he was well chosen to take on this subject. This is a lean, mean film with no filler. Take a deep breath and prepare yourself for the opening scene. Make sure your standing at attention.

Rating:
Summary: THE DVD OF A REMARKABLE FILM EPIC!
Review: "Patton" remains one of the most ambitious WWII films ever mounted. The film's grand battles and outstanding visual effects are complimented by George C. Scott's performance as George Patton, who gave us all a taste of what it's like to lust for war. The DVD features a fine digital transfer of the film (the dialogue is overshadowed by sound effects at times, and this is the only reason I don't give it a full five stars), complete with an intermission brake, as well as theatrical trailers for this film, the epic D-Day film "The Longest Day," and the ill-conceived "Tora! Tora! Tora!" The DVD also features a commentary track by a Patton historian! I recommend this DVD to all those who love war films.
Movie Grade: A+ (5 Stars)
DVD Grade: A- (4 Stars).

Rating:
Summary: George C. Scott: from Turgidson to Greatest General
Review: First, it's long.
But I didn't realize that until the "intermission" came across the screen.

Second, it has so many great lines that Patton used in his life, that you could be a veritable source of military aphorisms just by watching this movie (did I just write "plethora?").

I watched this immediately after finishing the even longer Band of Brothers series. It was interesting to see two views from the same side, especially of the Battle of the Bulge. It also goes to show how much technology has come. Many of the scenes in Patton are pretty cheesy. The battle scenes are distant as to show the entire battle, but have no focus. The Battle of Kasserine Pass in the movie is one such example where it looks like little toy electric tanks moving and every few seconds a soldier self-combusts. Additionally, the snow scenes in Patton during the Battle of the Bulge are extremely bad and a bit too fake.
But dang, its all about the acting, isn't it? That is exactly what makes this movie. That is why I give it a better rating, and am not even basing it off of visual effects, though they can be a bit distracting at times.

Rating:
Summary: The best biographical study on film
Review: Not a politican, not a diplomat, Patton was an officer before everything else. The film depicts this strutting character at the height of glory and his lowest ignominy during World War II. George C. Scott's performance is masterful, very much his best work.

Rating:
Summary: PATRIOTIC BLISS
Review: GEORGE C. SCOTT TURNED DOWN THE OSCAR HE WON FOR THIS EPIC, AND I CAN RESPECT THAT. IM SURE HE WAS SICKENED BY THE MORAL DECLINE OF HOLLYWOOD AND THAT WAS OVER THIRTY YEARS AGO.

AT ANY RATE AN ACADEMY AWARD WAS NEVER SO RIGHTEOUSLY AWARDED NONE THE LESS. SCOTT'S LARGER THAN LIFE PORTRAYAL OF OL 'BLOOD AND GUTS' WAS RIGHT ON TARGET AND THIS CLASSIC IS ONE OF THE ALL TIME BEST PICTURES EVER PRODUCED.

WE FOLLOW PATTON THROUGH HIS VARIOUS CAMPAIGNS IN THE GREAT WORLD WAR II. BUT THE WAR IS ACTUALLY IN THE BACKGROUND AS THIS IS TRULY A CHARACTER STUDY OF ONE OF THE GREATEST AMERICAN MILITARY GENUISES IN HISTORY.

PATTON'S ANTI POLITICS ARE AS HEROIC AS THE SOLDIER HIMSELF. HIS FLAWS AS WELL AS HIS FLAWLESSNESS ARE PORTRAYED WITH UNSCATHING AND UNAPOLAGETIC FORTHRIGHTNESS.
THE FABULOUS FIRST SCENE WITH PATTON FRAMED BY A HUGE AMERICAN FLAG WHILE HE DELIVERS HIS FAMOUS "CUT OUT THEIR LIVING GUTS" SPEECH IS AWE INSPIRING. THIS SHOULD BE ROUTINELY SHOWN TO OUR SOLDIERS JUST PRIOR TO BATTLE. I GET GOOSBUMPS WHEN I WATCH IT.

THIS MOVIE IS AN UNABASHED PATRIOTIC PEP RALLY, AND AS PATTON HIMSELF SAYS "GOD HELP ME, BUT I DO LOVE IT SO."

Rating:
Summary: A Superb Film About An Outstanding & Candid General
Review: General George S. Patton Jr. (1885-1945) was one of America's most outstanding generals and strategists during World War II, but his tendency to speak very candidly and crassly often got him into trouble with the public and higher ranking officers. Labeled by newspapers as "Blood & Guts", Patton demanded discipline from every soldier under his command. He loved to study about ancient battles and saw himself as one of many reincarnations of various warriors who had fought battles throughout 2000 years. He loved war and knew nothing else. Beginning in 1942, General Patton commanded forces in North Africa fighting against the occupying German forces under the command of Field Marshal Erwin Rommel. Following victory in North Africa, he commanded the Seventh Army during the joint invasion of Sicily. British forces that also invaded Sicily were under the command of the revered Field Marshal Sir Bernard Law Montgomery. Following the allied invasion of France in 1944, General Patton was given command of the Third Army and swept across France at record pace. His juggernaut was also successful in relieving the beleaguered American troops trapped in the city of Bastogne, France. He was also one of the first American commanders to discover the horrors of Nazi concentration camps. Considered by many to be a prima donna, he had no tolerance for any soldier suffering from "shell shock" or "battle fatigue"; instead he labeled such as a coward. He wrote a book entitled "War As I Knew It" that was first published in 1947, two years after his death from a car accident.

Based upon the two books "Patton: Ordeal and Triumph" by Ladislas Farago and "A Soldier's Story" by General Oman N. Bradley, director Franklin J. Schaffner created the film "Patton" in 1970 starring George C. Scott as the outspoken General Patton, which earned him the Oscar for Best Actor in a Leading Role. (Scott refused to accept the Oscar on the grounds that he did not consider himself to be in competition with other actors.) The film begins with Patton standing before a giant American flag and giving a speech to troops that have been placed under his command. Following the speech, the film documents Patton's life between 1942 (when he begins fighting Germans in North Africa) and 1945 (shortly after the defeat of Germany).

Aspects of the film that well depict General Patton were the competition that he felt with Field Marshall Montgomery (Michael Bates) and personality conflicts with General Bradley (Karl Malden). Of course, since the actual General Bradley consulted directly on the film, the portrayal of Patton could be regarded as being slightly biased. Also depicted were Patton's slapping of a frightened soldier (Tim Considine) whom he also accused of being a coward, as well as candid comments made in Knutsford, England, that made Patton a public relations liability for the Allied Command. Sadly, not shown in the film was the liberation of the concentration camp at Buchenwald by the Third Army. There, General Patton was the first American commander to order nearby German civilians to tour a liberated concentrated camp: a precedent adopted by other American field commanders.

Franklin J. Schaffner received the Oscar for Best Director for "Patton" and the film also won Oscars for Best Picture, Best Editing, Best Art Direction-Set Decoration, Best Sound and Best Writing. It also received nominations for Best Cinematography, Best Music and Best Visual Effects. At 170 minutes, the film does not seem too long. Instead, the various battles were done very well and George C. Scott's excellent portrayal of General Patton is completely engaging. Overall, I rank "Patton" with a resounding 5 out of 5 stars and highly recommend the film to everyone. General Patton was instrumental in the Allies' decisive victory over Nazi Germany in 1945.

Rating:
Summary: Outstanding Film on an Outstanding DVD....
Review: This review refers to the Fox War Classic (20th Cent Fox)DVD(single disc)Edition of "Patton".....

A film that recieved nearly as many honors as Patton himself, 8 Academy Awards(including Best Picture,1970, Best Actor and Best Director), among numerous others, Golden Globe and Directors Guild included, now gets the royal treatment from 20th Century Fox. It is a beautiful transfer of this 33 year old film that is a pleasure to watch. The picture in Anamorphic Widescreen(2.35:1), which shows off the beautiful cinematography is incredible.It is clear and sharp with vibrant colors. The choice of sound is 5.1 Dolby or Stereo Surround, and is excellent as well. The dialouge, the music, the sounds of battle all surround you wonderfully. It may be viewed with captions in English or Spanish that appear in the black bar area(although the English subtitles, when the Germans are speaking are in the picture itself).One of the special features is an audio essay that you can choose to run during the film. The speaker is Charles Provence, the President of the Gen. George S. Patton Historical Society, and he presents a total picture of Patton. He speaks about his days as a child, as a young Lt. in the Army and all Patton's amazing accomplishmnets in his lifetime.He also speaks of certain incidences in the film and exactly the way they really happened(i.e. the slapping incident) The essay runs about 1:20 and is highly captivating and informative. Not much else in the way of bonus material, but it does come with a little booklet that gives Patton's achievements in a time line form. For me the quality of this DVD was bonus enough.

The movie itself would be a welcome addition to any history, film or war buff. Director Franklin Schaffner has done an expert and meticulous job of filming a fascinating look at a fascinating man who is such a huge part of our history. Patton's invovlment in WWII, his genius at military tatics and his overwhelming personality are all very much a part of this film. His disdain for "cowards", his admiration of the fighting men, who feared him but proudly fought for him, his obsession for glory, his poetry, his belief in reincarnation, the battles, his adversities and triumphs all make for a captivating story.

Geroge C. Scott plays Patton in a way that you would think it was Patton himself on the screen. Karl Malden also turns in a wonderful performance of Gen. Omar Bradley. Karl Michael Vogler(Rommel),Richard Munch(Gen Jodl) and Michael Bates(Montgomery) add their wonderful talents as well. Jerry Goldsmith's score has great feeling and is perfect for this film. The movie was based on material from books by Omar Bradley(A Soldier's Story) and Ladislas Farago(Patton: Ordeal and Triumph).

A terrific addition to any film library...
Thanks and enjoy...Laurie

Rating:
Summary: The Greatest War Movie Ever
Review: This movie is an excellent example of what kind of man that Gen. George S. Patton was(even though he had his faults). Also the war scenes are and shows what Patton and his troops went through during WW2.

George C. Scott's portrayal of Patton is excellent, so much so that I sometimes forget that it's an actor playing Patton rather than the man himself.

The only minor complaint that I have about this movie is that it's not totally historicially accurate(e.g. the slapping incident- there were two slapping incidents and the movie condenced both of them into one incident).

This is the greatest war movie ever and I definitely recommend it to everyone.

Rating:
Summary: Patton
Review: "Patton" was a outstanding movie, which was for a outstanding leader. General Patton was a man who was not afraid to speak his mind. He is a great example of a American.