An Epic Biographical Account That Fairly Judges Its Unfair Character!

Rating: Null/10 (12 November 2015)

Grand in scope, accomplished in production & riding high on George C. Scott's magnificent performance, Patton is an epic biographical account of the decorated but also controversial American General, George S. Patton, and covers his stint as tank commander during World War II. Winner of 7 Academy Awards including Best Picture, Patton remains one of the most impressive biopics in existence and is one memoir that's as informative as it is engrossing.
Set during the Second World War, Patton follows its titular character who arrives in North Africa to take charge of the demoralised American troops after they suffer heavy casualties at the hands of German forces. The plot covers his stint as he leads his soldiers to victory over the enemy before heading to Europe where he would go on to script one of the most astonishing sweeps in warfare history. Over the course of its runtime, the film also focuses on his human flaws.
Directed by Franklin J. Schaffner & co-written by Francis Ford Coppola, Patton opens with a massive American flag pinned on the entire canvas where we are introduced to the titular character who then goes on to deliver the now infamous monologue, which in addition to beginning the story on an instantly captivating note also offers an insight into his colourful & no-nonsense persona. The main plot then follows which is a character study that takes as much interest in Patton's strengths as a leader as it does in his faults as a human.
The production design team is in charge of a huge canvas here & they fill the wide locations with set pieces that are more or less in tune with documented history, whether it's the tanks or outfits or battlefields. Also adding enhancement to its imagery is the brilliantly controlled camera-work that makes sure that every moment is captured in fine detail. At 172 minutes, it is a daunting film to sit through this biopic but the runtime isn't even felt for the most part. And Jerry Goldsmith contributes with a militarised score that skilfully compliments the story & keeps its tone in tact.
The acting department is spearheaded by George C. Scott who turns the picture into a one- man-show with his memorable performance as George S. Patton. Taking a much balanced approach in the rendition of his character, Scott is able to exhibit the best & worst traits of the notorious General with immaculate precision and carries the whole film on his shoulders with effortless ease. Although it's easy to hate this character, there are also moments when you can't help admiring him for Scott does well in balancing both positive & negative sides of Patton, plus he's brilliantly supported by the rest of the cast.
On an overall scale, Patton is every bit worthy of all the accolades it has garnered since its release and is definitely amongst the finest examples of biopics & war filmmaking out there. It's a thoroughly engaging cinema that makes you root for as well as criticise the same man who was admired for his leadership but was also lambasted for his distorted philosophy of life. It's not just the characterisation aspect that's laudable here for the movie is technically sound as well and the battle sequences have a gritty, realistic feel to it. An important lesson in biopic filmmaking that offers a fair treatment to an unfair personality, Patton is absolutely worth your time & money.