Patton

Rating:
Summary: The BEST FILM of the CENTURY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Review: This film was outstanding. I've seen it 5 times and I still can't get enough of it. George C. Scott gives not only the best proformance of his life he gives the absolute best proformance you will ever see. To quote my personal favorite line form the movie "when you look down in a puddle of goo that a moment ago was your friends face you'll know what to do."

This movie is a definite must see. Even if you don't like war movies watch it just to see Scott's spectacular porformance as General George S. Patton. Yes his porformance is that good!

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Summary: a justice to the man that was Patton
Review: What can I say? From a historical standpoint, this is a perfect representation of the man that was Gen. George S Patton Jr. Showing all his strengths and all his weaknesses. Scott was born to play the role and there is no denying the power of his performance. My only regret is that the opening speech was actually toned down from it's original version that the real life Patton gave to his third army. Not that I am an advocate to such harsh language, but with Scott's commanding presense and fluence for the role, there is no excuse not to pepper each sentence with the four letter words Patton himself loved so dearly. In the man's own words, "An army without profanity couldn't fight it's way out of a p*** soaked paper bag!"

Rating:
Summary: Great Movie, a classic!
Review: I really enjoyed this movie, even as I am only 14 years old. i have already watched it several times over. It is a classic, give it time to develop and your in ACTION! NOT recommended for Bunny Lovers & Tree Huggers

Rating:
Summary: GREATEST WAR FILM EVER MADE
Review: In 1970, two films juxtaposed each other. "Patton" was an unlikely winner of eight Oscars. The pacifist Scott for all practical purposes took his Buck Turgidson character and refined him into the real-life Patton. In interviews, Scott said he found his research of Patton revealed an unbalanced man, but on screen Scott nailed him as the vainglorious, brilliant, driven warmonger he was. Steiger was offered the role first but turned it down because it glorified war. Vietnam was absolutely at its apex. It was very surprising that Hollywood would make such a film at that time. But director Frankin Schaffner had served under Patton, and after making "The Planet of the Apes" had the clout to call his shots. The film did not get America behind the war, but it did cause Nixon to start bombing Cambodia because the Patton story convinced him to get tough. The screenwriter, oddly enough, was Francis Ford Coppola, who may have done himself a turn. Coppola was no war lover, and wrote "Patton" as a man obsessed with war ("God help me, I love it so"), deluded by visions of Napoleonic grandeur mixed with Episcopalian Christianity and karmic reincarnation. The intent may have been to show a psychotic military man, to de-mask his heroism, and this may have been what prompted Scott to play it. From page to screen there are virtually no changes, but if Coppola was trying to put down the military by showing Patton's human warts, the result was a brilliant work that now is one of, if not the most, conservative pictures ever made. Watching "Patton" stirs wonderful pride in two countries (Great Britain is prominent in the film) that were tough enough to stand up to the Nazis when the rest of the world cowered in victimhood. Karl Malden's Omar Bradley is Patton's perfect foil, as is the Bernard Law Montgomery character. The film saved Coppola, who was about to be fired as "The Godfather" director. When he won the Oscar for "Patton", it gave him too much clout to get the axe.

(...)

Rating:
Summary: Decent Film/No Frills DVD
Review: It's to the much-deserved credit of the underrated George C. Scott--simply brilliant here--and director Franklin Schaffner that the celebrated general of "Patton's" title comes across more the tragic hero and less the right-wing nutjob, especially considering that the film debuted in 1970. "Patton" is worth a look for that bit of storytelling finesse alone, but the film offers much more, effectively examining both the highs and lows of the headstrong general's World War II days. Though it lacks the poetic grandeur of epics like "Lawrence of Arabia" or "How the West Was Won," "Patton" nonetheless operates on a big scale, and Scott's larger-than-life portrayal is never obscured by the production's legions of soldiers or frequent changes of scenery. The script, co-written by Francis Ford Coppola, stays focused on the professional aspects of Patton's life--his devotion to duty, command, and career--and wisely avoids bogging down with diversions into romance or family life. Some might find such an approach imbalanced, but most viewers will likely enjoy the "purity" of what is, for lack of a better term, a satisfying "guy's story." Look for Karl Malden in a great supporting role as Omar Bradley, and enjoy Jerry Goldsmith's bombastic score, rivaled only by John Williams' Indiana Jones overtures. Still, "Patton" is not without faults. Military buffs may bemoan some technical inaccuracies, such as using tanks that don't fit the historical period; at times, the characterizations devolve into caricature, especially that of British General Montgomery; and some of Patton's borderline psychotic behavior--his various rages and obsessions with dreams and reincarnation--seem too easily dismissed as colorful idiosyncracies. The DVD itself is rather bare for a film that received many Oscars, perhaps the biggest flaw of all.

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Summary: Fox provides an Outstanding DVD Special Edition for "Patton"
Review: "Patton" offers one of the great marriages of actor and role with George C. Scott's riveting portrayal of the notorious American tank commander. As a film biography "Patton" forgoes the rise of the celebrated general and merely hints at his ironic death because of injuries suffered in a traffic accident, focuses entirely on his military career commanding troops in North Africa, Sicily and France during World War II. The strength of the script by Francis Ford Coppola and Edmund H. North, as well as of Scott's performance, is that the paradoxes of Patton are completely embraced. Not even Patton's loyal cadre of staff officers can keep him from shooting off his mouth every time there are reporters around, but then neither German Field Marshall Rommel or English Field Marshall Montgomery can beat him on the battlefield. Karl Malden's performance as General Omar Bradley is just as solid as Scott's, presenting a man whose personality is the complete antithesis of Patton. Viewers find themselves identifying with the German captain who is the intelligence expert on Patton and arguably the only person in the film who really understands or respects the American general. But the more I watch "Patton," the more I am very impressed with the battle sequences of director Franklin J. Schaffner ("Planet of the Apes," "Pappillon"), which were staged live and full-scale without special effects of miniatures. Schaffner provides not just the large spectacle of a desert tank battle, but smaller and equally memorable moments, such as a soldier falling dead in the snow. "Patton" deserved its Oscars.

In terms of extra features on this DVD, the second disc features the 1997 50-minute retrospective documentary, "The Making of Patton: A Tribute to Franklin J. Schaffner." Recent interviews with the cinematographer, composer, etc., are blended with audio interviews of Schaffner and Scott from 1970, newsreel footage of Patton, along with clips and publicity stills from the film make a fitting tribute to the late director. The audio commentary on the first disc is really more of a lecture on Patton by Charles M. Province, the author of the book "The Unknown Patton" and founder/president of the General George S. Patton, Jr. Historical Society. Province more than adequately fills in what the movie leaves out about Patton's life. On the second disc Jerry Goldsmith's Oscar nominated musical score is presented in stereo, including alternate takes and a series of radio spots. You certainly have to appreciate what Fox has put together here: This is a "Special Edition" DVD priced as a regular DVD, a real treat for those of us who remember being mesmerized by George C. Scott giving that profanity laced opening speech standing in front of that giant American flag.

Rating:
Summary: EVEN IF YOUR NOT A PATTON FAN - SEE THIS ONE ANYWAY
Review: Even though you may not be a particular fan of George Patton, many are not, i.e. Andy Rooney, the little dweeb, see this one anyway. George C. Scott in his role as Patton, gives us one of the best performances in recent history. The movie is worth watching his work if for no other reason. Other than that, yes, the movie is quite well done. The DVD edition may indeed have been slightly cut here and there but this in no way distracts from Scott's performance nor does it take anything away from the story. I have viewed both the original and the DVD and there is little difference. This has become a true classic and I highly recommend.

Rating:
Summary: All glory is fleeting
Review: The screen play is co-written by Francis Ford Coppola and Based upon the two books "Patton: Ordeal and Triumph" by Ladislas Farago and "A Soldier's Story" by General Oman N. Bradley. And acted by George C. Scott. This paints the picture of the Patton that we all know.

From the initial speech to the "I had a dream last Night" recounting of the Napoleon campaign, this film holds your attention. Patton is larger than life, and George C. Scott is larger than life in this larger than life movie.

We follow Patton through his WWII carrier. The focus is on Patton more than the war. We can feel with him as he remembers his past lives and we feel as though we were there with him. This is emphasized by revisiting Zama where Roman Scipio Africanus defeated Hannibal. If you ever get a chance you need to look it up.

We know that very war is different but we learn from history, and Patton is history. By the way the film is just down right fun to watch.


Rating:
Summary: A Stirring Movie About One of America's Greatest Generals
Review: Starring George C. Scott (Gen. George S. Patton) and Karl Malden (Gen. Omar Bradley), this impeccable war movie describes the impact that General George Patton had on the U.S. Army after 1943. Following the disaster at Kasserine Pass, in which American armor and strategly was thoroughly outclassed by the Germans, the Americans realized that a new commander was needed to command their armored units. Patton was chosen, and his impact was felt immediately by the Germans, and he didn't let up until he was relieved by General Eisenhower.

From 1943 until the surrender of Germany in May, 1945, Patton and his vaunted 3rd Army group harassed the Germans from Sicily to France. He is responsible for driving his group one hundred miles in two days to rescue the trapped 101st airborne troops who were surrounded at Bastogne, and he led his troops on a brilliant drive through France and into Germany itself.

This film does an excellent job of portraying the flamboyant Patton. His numerous run-ins with his rival British General Montgomery are well-portrayed, and his battles with the press and his American superiors are explained in great detail, as well. Perhaps the defining scene of the movie is when Patton is visiting a field hospital and he encounters an American private who is suffering from battle fatigue. Patton slaps the soldier across the face and has him removed from the hospital and sent directly back to the front. Word of this action eventually got back to Eisenhower, and Patton was made to apologize to the soldier and his entire Army. This event followed Patton for the rest of his career.

George C. Scott and Karl Malden give excellent performances in their roles as Patton and Bradley. Scott's portrayal won him an academy award for best actor, while Malden's portrayal of Bradley, the "soldier's soldier", is the perfect antithesis to Scott's fiery portrayal as Patton. The evolution of the friendship and mutual respect that developed between Patton and Bradley is handled extremely well, also.

This is one of the greatest war movies I've seen. Scott's acting is impeccable, and the historical accuracy, right down to Patton's ivory-handled pistols and his intense hatred for not only the Germans, but the Russians as well, is told with a remarkable flair that will keep the viewer glued to their screen. I give this movie my highest recommendation. Watch and see how one man personally changed the course of the war against the Germans.

Rating:
Summary: This DVD is a cut version of the film.
Review: I saw this film in the 1970's and this DVD edition, although it does not state that it is cut, has cut out the scene where Patton meets someone while he is on the toilet. The language also has probably been edited (euphamisms for the F word) which I am fairly sure were in the original.

I am extremely diappointed in the manufacturer for doing something like this to the film without informing it's audience and buyers...seems like faud to me.

The original movie was great, a cut version is by definition less so.