The Rise and Fall of George Patton and the Third Army from the US

Rating: 8/10 (4 May 2009)

'Patton' is a anti-protest, pro-war film about General George Patton, released in 1970 in the dust of the Vietnam War. George C. Scott plays the leading role fabulously, its such a colorful character greased in patriotism and old-school justice and Scott adds further detail to him with a pair of darkened eyes and a humorous grin. Patton had been studying warfare throughout history with fanatical interest, and he believed that he had been a warrior in his past life - his ingenious war tactics made him one of the most successful American Generals to ever live in the 19th century. The film takes place when Patton and his army teared down Axis forces in North-Africa, started racing British General Montgomery throughout Sicily and finished off his WWII-campaign in Normandy. Artistic elements of director Franklin J. Schaffner and screenwriters Francis Ford Coppola and Edmund H. North does push historical accuracy aloof at occasions, but as I always emphasize when watching historic films - it was/is the filmmaker's adaption. It features a great score by Jerry Goldsmith, and is shot fantastically by Fred J. Koenekamp who really captured the battle-scenes brilliantly with wide lenses - and although 'Patton' was too early on for when the sound editing revolution of the 70ties rode in, there's punch and high drama in the action sequences that still impresses. 'Patton' is fascinating as a character study, and it feels a bit like a left-hook compared to many other war-movies that lend much of its power and message to criticizing American government and leadership. I'm not saying that 'Patton' is absolute pro-war, but whatever Patton snuffed out about cowardice among his soldiers, or acted like a primadonna when big questions arose, nobody could touch him when it came to important, victorious battles - and 'Patton' celebrates him for it.