Frightening

Rating: 7/10 (25 August 2013)

Fascinating Character Study, Oscar Winner (He refused it) George C. Scott gives a Universally praised Performance that is without doubt the best part of this Academy Award 7 Time Winner. The Script is also a significant achievement weaving Pro and Anti War sentiments effortlessly. There are so many quotable lines...here is one..."Compared to War, all other forms of human endeavor shrink to insignificance"
That is a summation of Patton and the Movie does give a slightly Romantic vision of the most Controversial, Flamboyant, and Charismatic Military Leader of His Era. In contrast, Eisenhower barely had a Heartbeat and was dull and humorless.
The Film is Framed and Shot entirely from Patton's point of view. The Battles are shown mostly in Wide Shots and the carnage is only glimpsed after the fact. The Deaths and suffering of the Soldiers underneath this self identified Demi-God are to Him like Players on a Stage or Pawns in a Game. He was eccentric, to say the least, and fancied Himself a Man with a Destiny. He believed in Reincarnation.
But this often alluded to Spiritual Belief, is shown to be insincere when after He is told that the Future of War will be pushbutton He states..."Thank God I won't be around to see it". But most of the Movie is consistent in its telling of this Larger Than Life, frightening, Dictator Wannabe and it gives the sense that this unhinged Man would not be much different than the Evil Despots who were the Enemy.
Overall, it is an Overrated Film but is quite good and worth watching as a Dramatic representation of an Egomaniac, who like most of His ilk, left to their own devices, would more than likely cause more harm than good. Having this Man with His hand on the button is a very dangerous thing. Reference Scott's Role as an Air Force General in Dr. Strangelove (1964). That could be Patton Reincarnated.