A Disturbing Portrayal

Rating: Null/10 (12 October 2011)

Clearly George S. Patton emerged as the most accomplished battle commander in WWII.
From his troop training in the US prior to the North African invasion (which he led), galvanizing US forces after Kasserine Pass, his leadership in the invasion of Sicily, his establishment of American equal command in Sicily to Montgomery's after an impassioned address to theatre commander Alexander, his dynamic leadership in securing first Palermo & then Messina, to his un-excelled leadership in the Normandy breakout, his brilliant foresight in the concept of breaking off a full winter attack in order to re-direct his forces toward the German encirclement of Bastogne & his subsequent relief of the embattled town, and his successful crossing of the Rhine ahead of any other allied forces all while his supplies were curtailed by his rapid advances as well as a jealous Montgomery.
He bristled at the weak leadership displayed by his superiors and contemporaries alike, both American and British. He was surrounded by jealousy. Eisenhower and Bradley, both his once-subordinates who would go on to surpass him, disliked Patton immensely while on various occasions demonstrating their utter failure as battle commanders in futile efforts to break out of the Normandy hedgerows, the failure to close the Falaise Gap, the debacle in the Huertgen Forest, and the disaster in the Bulge (where Bradley's forces were split & some placed under Montgomery's command), not to mention the disaster at Arnhem under Eisenhower's overall command.
The fact that Omar Bradley was the principal adviser on this movie explains the frequent spooky background music painting Patton as some kind of crackpot in contrast with the utterly unflappable & capable Bradley, laughably portrayed by the imposing & handsome Karl Malden (a more realistic actor for Bradley would have been Don Knotts).
It's ironic that a movie that subtly attempts to skewer the essence of Patton would go on to be so popular. It must have galled Bradley no end. Once again, Patton would have the last laugh.