Last of the mad-man generals.

Rating: 7/10 (10 June 2015)

Maybe McArthur was a strong contender, but Patton has to be one of the most polarizing military figures in recent US history. His dogmatic approach to war making was akin to a passionate romance; here was a man who lived and breathed the art of conquering.
The character himself is ripe for a multilayered dissection, what with all the complexities that Patton had within himself. He was both brave and sadistic. Incredibly intelligent and stubbornly shortsighted, and because he happened to be fighting for the allies, he is mythologized as fighting for freedom. But as many have pointed out, if he'd been a German he would no doubt have fought to the death for Hitler himself. Unfortunately, the screenplay for "Patton" only offers a cursory glance over his campaigns in WWII. It never really analyzes his more controversial aspects, such as his frothing antisemitism and infamous vulgarity. What the film does touch on is the German high command's respect for him, which is unique for a war picture. But other details of his life, such as his service in WW1, and his untimely and tragic death, are ignored.
A troubling part of the picture is the film's dated-ness. It is very much a studio film, one that takes zero chances with the narrative, and has noticeably aged. The battle scenes are typical of-the-era goofiness, sanitized through its 1960s lense. It really is a shame that fictional movies like "The Dirty Dozen" or "Kelly's Heroes" have more shocking scenes of war than a biography about an army Warhawk. As it is, both the writing and direction are barely adequate and leave much to be desired, but the film is still worth recommending for the glorious portrayal by George C Scott. Where the character ends and the actor begins is impossible to tell, and this is the sign of a truly impressive performance.
Because the story leads through a rather shallow, Spark-Notes recollection of his war-time experiences, Patton falls short of greatness. The critical eye of the writer is closed just as we begin to understand the tragic image of a man who became unhealthily obsessed with a destructive drug. Patton may not be my favorite film involving either writer, director, or lead actor (Godfather, Apocalypse Now, The Conversation for Coppola; Planet of the apes and Papillon for Schaffner; The Hustler and Dr Strangelove for George C Scott), but for a fascinating portrait of an enigmatic individual, "Patton" remains definitive, until they make his next biopic any better.