Main Cast: George C. Scott, Karl Malden, Michael Bates, Karl Michael Vogler, Edward Binns
Release Year: 1970
Country: US
Run Time: 171 minutes
MPAA Rating: PG
Plot
In 1943 North Africa, George Patton (George C. Scott) assumes command of (and instills some much-needed discipline in) the American forces. Engaged in battle against Germany's Field Marshal Rommel (Karl Michael Vogler), Patton drives back "The Desert Fox" by using the German's own tactics. Promoted to Lieutenant General, Patton is sent to Sicily, where he engages in a personal war of egos with British Field Marshal Montgomery (Michael Bates). Performing brilliantly in Italy, Patton seriously jeopardizes his future with a single slap. While touring an Army hospital, the General comes across a GI (Tim Considine) suffering from nervous fatigue. Incensed by what he considers a slacker, Patton smacks the poor soldier and orders him to get well in a hurry. This incident results in his losing his command-and, by extension, missing out on D-Day. In his final campaign, Patton leads the US 3rd Army through Europe. Unabashedly flamboyant, Patton remains a valuable resource, but ultimately proves too much of a "loose cannon" in comparison to the more level-headed tactics of his old friend Omar Bradley (Karl Malden). Patton won 7 Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Actor for Scott, an award that he refused. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Review
Patton ranks as one of the screen's greatest biopics, much as George C. Scott's work in the title role is often considered one of the towering performances in screen history. Scott, and the film overall, benefit from an uncommonly intelligent script by Francis Ford Coppola and Edmund H. North, an odd yet fortuitous pairing of seemingly dissimilar writing styles. Despite a nearly three-hour running time, the film focuses on only a small portion of Patton's career, beginning with his North Africa campaign and continuing to the conclusion of World War II. There are only a few compromises with history -- for example, Patton wears the uniform of a four-star general, a higher rank than was appropriate, at the rousing speech to his troops that begins the movie. The scene, though, is taken almost word-for-word from a speech that Patton delivered on June 4, 1944. It's just one example of the verisimilitude that gives the film its superb texture. Patton also benefits from outstanding tech credits, particularly Fred Koenekamp's cinematography and Jerry Goldsmith's orchestral score. Overall, the film won seven Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Actor. Scott refused his award, which the Academy kept for him in case he later changed his mind. He didn't. ~ Richard Gilliam, All Movie Guide
Lawrence Dobkin - Col. Gaston Bell; John Doucette - Major Gen. Lucian K. Truscott; Siegfried Rauch - Capt. Oskar Steiger; Tim Considine - Soldier Who Gets Slapped; Peter Barkworth - Col. John Welkin; John Barrie - Air Vice-Marshal Sir Arthur Coningham; David Bauer - Lt. Gen. Harry Buford; James Edwards - Sgt. William George Meeks; David Healy - Clergyman; Bill Hickman - Gen. Patton's Driver; Sandy Kevin - Correspondent; Frank Latimore - Lt. Col. Henry Davenport; Alan MacNaughton - British Briefing Officer; Richard Münch - Col. Gen. Alfred Jodl; Lionel Murton - 3rd Army Chaplain; Newsreels; Morgan Paull - Capt. Richard N. Jenson; Clint Ritchie - Tank Captain; Paul Stevens - Lt. Col. Charles R. Codman; Michael Strong - Brig. Gen. Hobart Carver; Lowell Thomas - Narrator of Fox Movietone; Douglas Wilmer - Maj. Gen. Francis de Guingand; Stephen Young - Capt. Chester B. Hansen; Carey Loftin - Gen. Bradley's Driver; Gerald Flood - Air Chief Marshal Sir Arthur Tedder; Jack Gwyllim - Harold Alexander; Harry Morgan - Uncredited
Credit
Urie McCleary - Art Director, Michael McLean - Casting, Eli Dunn - First Assistant Director, Franklin J. Schaffner - Director, Michael Moore - Second Unit Director, Hugh S. Fowler - Editor, Jerry Goldsmith - Composer (Music Score), Del Acevedo - Makeup, Gil Parrondo - Production Designer, Fred Koenekamp - Cinematographer, Frank Caffey - Producer, Frank McCarthy - Producer, Pierre-Louis Thevenet - Set Designer, Antonio Mateos - Set Designer, L.B. Abbott - Special Effects, Art Cruickshank - Special Effects, James Corcoran - Sound/Sound Designer, Don Bassman - Sound/Sound Designer, Murray Spivack - Sound/Sound Designer, Douglas O. Williams - Sound/Sound Designer, Joe Canutt - Stunts, Francis Ford Coppola - Screen Story, Edmund H. North - Screen Story, Francis Ford Coppola - Screenwriter, Edmund H. North - Screenwriter, Ladislas Farago - Book Author, Gen. Omar N. Bradley - Book Author
