De nobis fibula narrabitur

Rating: Null/10 (7 January 2002)

This incredible picture begins with one of the greatest openings in film history. The image of General George S. Patton, standing like a giant with the American flag in the background, is an iconic masterwork of character development. This scene truly sets the tone. Patton was a definite student of history and this address to his men was reminiscent of motivational speeches that great ancient commanders like Hannibal and Scipo would deliver. He knew the tactics of those classic warriors well and he parlayed his study of battle and his joie de combat into becoming one of the greatest American generals ever.
Patton was a complex man and George C. Scott captures his essence brilliantly. His dichotomous nature was vividly captured by Scott in the infamous hospital scene where he slaps the soldier. The moments prior to that reveal much about the man as he knells before an unresponsive soldier, his face bandaged and covered by an oxygen mask, and whispers thoughtfully into his ear. The look of pain on Scott's face as he contemplates the fate of one of his men is impressive. He certainly was the right choice for this over the top role, just as Karl Malden was for the understated part of Omar Bradley. Thankfully this movie was made during the greatest era in American filmmaking, the late 60s/early 70s when other historical figures (Bonnie & Clyde, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, many of the characters form `Little Big Man', etc) were adopted into intriguing, epic works. A movie like this would have fallen well short of the achievement made here, if it was attempted today. Can you imagine a director like Oliver Stone doing this? No offense to him, `Platoon' is one of my all time favorites, and I respect `Natural Born Killers', but he would have made a travesty of this story.
General Patton is still widely revered in military culture today. When I worked at 7th U.S. Army Headquarters in Heidelberg, Germany a portrait of him still stands on the wall of the foyer.