Review of Patton (1970) by Daniel K — 12 Oct 2008

It is certainly a striking and original opening. One never even sees the audience, which makes sense because you are the audience. I can't say I've ever had a speech quite like that from any of my Flag Officers before.

I definitely would not want a General like Patton pissed off with me. I suspect he would demand pretty short and succinct Intel briefings. I had forgotten just how great this film is. It is a truly spectacular war movie and made in a manner one certainly doesn't see today and rarely saw in it's time.

It focuses entirely on the realm of the highest commanders, i.e. where Patton reigned, as opposed to the minutiae of the single soldier, platoon, company, battalion, etc. Films like Saving private Ryan and Band of Brothers come to mind when trying to form a comparison, but it doesn't quite work.

Perhaps the best film to compare it to is Lawrence of Arabia, although they are of course two very different films that operate of entirely different levels in terms of quality. This is merely a great film, whereas Lawrence is perfection.

Scott makes Patton into a complex and believable character. I certainly can't bring myself to condemn him. He was a magnificent leader, despite his many shortcomings. It's certainly unnerving to see the war from the top down and realize the ego and jockeying that goes into some military decisions.

Politics is excluded from nothing. Great film.