Patton

Patton

Director: Franklin J. Schaffner

Year: 1970

Starring: George C. Scott and Karl Malden

     If there is any biopic that is truly flawless in it's execution, it's Patton. The film depicts the World War II exploits of the titular American General, played by George C. Scott in what I would call his defining role. He would win the Academy Award for Best Actor, but famously refused the award, becoming the first person to ever decline an Academy Award. The film was co-written by Francis Ford Coppola, who would direct The Godfather trilogy, Apocalypse Now!, Bram Stoker's Dracula and a whole bunch of other films. Patton, in effect, launched his career (The only other actor who declined their Academy Award was Marlon Brando for The Godfather, another film written by Coppola). 

     The opening monologue of the film, now a famous scene in itself, sets the tone for the entire film. It perfectly gives you an idea of what kind of character you'll be seeing throughout the entire length of the film. His speech is no-nonsense, and to the point, exactly like the film. We're then thrust into the aftermath of a battle, and Patton takes over, basically restructuring the command so they won't be defeated again. We learn bits and pieces of Patton as a commander, but also as a person, and it's spread out enough that there is genuine character development. You get to know the character like a soldier in the field would have. 

     The film also shows the story from the German perspective (albeit, very briefly, considering this is a film about General Patton). Erwin Rommel is a character in the film as well, and was considered one of the greatest Generals of the German army, and Patton's equal on the field. What I like about these scenes, is the dialogue is in German with English subtitles. I know it doesn't sound like much, but it adds to the authenticity, which would have been destroyed had the actors spoken English with a German accent.

     The film is also not short, clocking in at just about three hours, so it's again, not for the easily distracted. the film is easily a classic, and I would consider one of the greatest war movies ever made. It was even Richard Nixon's favourite movie, who would watch it before having to make tough military decisions in the White House. The film stands up today, and is the definition of timeless. The production value is very high and delivers, and the combat scenes, while spread apart, are engaging and very well shot. Definitely worth giving a look, especially if you're a war movie fan.