Outdated and oh so American

Rating: 6/10 (26 June 2007)

In a list voted for by British channel four viewers about four years ago Patton only managed 44. It's understandable, I would say it's a fair placement. Of course from reading other comments, many people from the US would disagree. But let's be realistic, it's nowhere near a patch on other war films around, nowhere near.
This was the first time I have watched Patton all the way through. Being in my early twenties and studying history and film theory for a degree I am very wary of Hollywood biopics' of any kind so I came to this movie with my eyes wide open. I was disappointed to find it quite boring at times and even a little outdated! People argue it is an anti-war movie, I disagree. I find it quite neutral. Yes we see bodies but we never see in detail any death, and Pattons love for war is connoted so fondly it cancels out the anti war message to a large extent.
Being British it is understandable I would always feel differently to patriotic Americans or other nations watching this film. I enjoy war films immensely and will let things slip while watching unless the facts are completely false or I roll my eyes (this happens very often) at the portrayal or complete absence of other Allies within the films about the second world war made by Hollywood.
I cannot deny the portrayal of Patton was amazing, well worth an Oscar, however I never felt like I wanted Patton to succeed. He was narcissistic and self absorbed which is probably the biggest fault of the film, all we get is Patton and America, thrown in our faces constantly like a propaganda reel. We don't even go into depth with Pattons character I feel a little robbed.
I also disliked how Pattons importance was boosted, it's understandable but it wasn't needed. Also Africa portrayal is completely false. Blaming a British General for the first defeat was ridiculous! It was an American in charge, to this I really did roll my eyes. What an unnecessary dig. I suppose I have become accustomed to British soldiers, generals, Britian as a country being portrayed as idiots or the people who did nothing, or got in the way or worse weren't even portrayed at all. Makes my blood boil. I want a British film maker to make a film about British soldiers in the second world war! I beg please stop the on coming flow of American WW11 movies implying they did it all! Please!! To sum up, not a bad film, quite boring in parts and seemed outdated. I really don't see this being watched in thirty years time by anyone other than a few Americans.