Portrait of a Complex Yet Simple Leader

Rating: 9/10 (18 September 2006)

The main strength of this film is George C. Scott giving the performance that defined his career. Scott is Patton throughout this film. Karl Malden is excellent in support as Omar Bradley. One of the strengths of this film is how it gets to the inside of the man Patton in total. This comes from the book "A Soldiers Story" which was written by Omar Bradley & the retired General also served as a consultant for this film. This is in a way why this film is great, besides Scott, is that Bradley brings out the surprises of Patton, not just the man the public knew.
There is something magnetic about a general who is desperate to be a hero despite being wealthy, a leader whose knowledge of the past is eerie enough to provide his beliefs in reincarnation. While Patton was not a "womanizer" as other Generals in World War 2 (like Ike) were, he is leading a full life in the present to go with the life he has led before throughout history.
This makes for a compelling, complex portrait which goes beyond how a real man is presented in film in most cases. This film is very much a canvas portrait of George Patton which not only looks like a masterpiece, but give the viewer a glimpse at the oil base that makes up the painting. It is run on television often because it is so good.
If you have not seen it, you should. If you have, it still holds something enthralling enough that like a great masterpiece, seeing it again can give you something more. The battle sequences were shot in Spain & are very well produced.
The character study of Patton, the man & the General is so accurate, many vets blinked when they saw the film. Hollywood rarely gets something so right.