Review of Patton (1970) by David P — 10 Jul 2009

Sadly overshadowed in the recent spate of celebrity passings was Karl Malden on July 1st. One of his best credits was this, the Francis Ford Coppola scripted biography of "blood and guts" General George S.

Patton. Malden played Omar Bradley whom Patton had reassigned to his corps as deputy commander. The famous opening of the film, with Patton taking to a stage dominated by a massive American flag to address us, the audience, as his troops was originally considered too "weird" by the produces and almost scrapped.

Fortunately director Schaffner stuck to his guns and we were left with one of the most iconic images in cinema history. The film details the story of Patton (played by George C. Scott) during World War II, beginning with him whipping the defeated American forces into shape in North Africa and leading them to victory at the Battle of El Guettar.

More successes follow, like his rivalry-fueled drive across Italy while competing with equally pompous British rival General Montgomery. Always outspoken, Patton finds himself in hot water during the Italian campaign when he chides a soldiers for battle fatigue as a coward and then slaps him.

In the resulting fallout, the General is forced to take a role of decoy during the Normandy landings, a punishment that nearly kills him. Scott's portrayal of Patton is by no means an impression, but his note-perfect combination of swagger, charisma and bravado make it one of the best performances in film history.

The main problem I have with the film are the nearly-chronic visual inaccuracies. I can understand the film's battle sequences are not going to rival those in "Saving Private Ryan" but "Patton" used very few historically accurate vehicles and the results really harm the experience for anyone vaguely familiar with military history.

Nevertheless, even at it's nearly three hour running time, the film is engrossing, unfolding like a good novel as Patton fights his way back to earn a field command under his former subordinate when Omar Bradley is asked to co-ordinate the invasion of Europe.

"Patton" is a fantastic study of an endangered species, that rare sort of man who is both skilled and mentally hardwired for the insane spectacle of war. This film is a must-see. Tilt: up.