How movies like this should be made.

Rating: 10/10 (6 June 2004)

Patton, starring George C. Scott as the controversial World War II general, is one of the best war movies, biographies, and just movies period. Deservedly given the Best Picture and Best Actor Oscar, this is how movies like this should be made. Today directors seem to think that movies should be fast and full of flashbacks and fast camera movements, but Patton is a movie that takes its time, reflects on things, and in return gives us one of cinema's best performances and best films. Focusing on the live of George Patton, this movie gives us a grand sense of his military prowess and well as his philosophical and sensitive sides. But it does not sentimentalize things in the least. It begins with one of the greatest speeches in film (and in real life): "the point of war is not to die for your country, it's to make the other sons of bitches die for their country." This is a smart and deep movie, full of touching moments, but with such honor, such respectful distance, such truth. It also presents the Germans so fairly.
My grade: 10/10