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Summary: Oliver Stone says "Patton" movie killed millions
Review: One of the extra features on this DVD (the second disc) features the 1997 50-minute documentary, "The Making of Patton: A Tribute to Franklin J. Schaffner." The tribute to Schaffner is very well deserved (he was truly an excellent film director). But, among the interviews in this documentary is a talk with director Oliver Stone who boldly states as fact, that upon seeing the movie "Patton" in 1970, President Richard Nixon ordered the actual invasion of Cambodia. This invasion, claims Oliver Stone, allowed the Khmer Rouge to rise to power and thus murder millions of Cambodians in the infamous "Killing Fields". Stone then states that the movie "Patton" is therefore the most influential movie in history, even more so than his own "JFK" -- how's that for writing history via the movies guys? :-)
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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.
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Summary: Patton
Review: 1970 hit movie and Best Picture academy award winner about General George S. Patton Jr. in World War II. George C. Scott, bearing an uncanny resemblance to the famous general, portrays Patton from his entry into the war with II Armor Corps in North Africa to victory in Europe with the 3d Army. Patton's triumphs and controversial incidents are covered in this feature and provide entertaining insight on this man whose name is almost synonymous with World War II. While Patton rests in the elite ranks of other famous leaders, his flamboyant personality sets him apart from most and it is Scott's impressive capture of this that makes the movie shine. The movie is generally accurate. Patton is credited with taking command of the II Armor Corps at a critical time just after a brutal defeat to the German Army in North Africa, and leading it to victory shortly afterward. Patton advances to command of the VII Army and is successful in Sicily. During the Sicily operation, Patton slaps a soldier in a field hospital for perceived malingering, resulting in his relief from command. Eventually he's reinstated to command of the 3d Army in France and leads the breakout from Normandy when Allied forces were bogged down in the infamous hedgerows. The most famous event occurs when he anticipates the German's Ardennes Counter-offensive, more famously known as the "Battle of the Bulge," and miraculously turns the 3d Army north in little time to defeat the Germans. There's artistic overplay of some historical details for dramatic effect such as being portrayed as almost running operations by himself when in fact he had talented staff and commanders who advised him well and carried out his orders. A very interesting scene for speculation is after his fuel supplies have been redirected in 1944 to the invasion of the Netherlands [portrayed in the 1976 feature "A Bridge Too Far"] he is standing on the scorched earth of a recent tank battle and remarks to his aide that he could be in Berlin in ten days. Overall an epic picture and one of a kind. Other projects have attempted to follow this formula, but none came close to what was achieved in this movie. Picture quality and sound are excellent and it's well worth adding to your personal DVD collection.
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Summary: old blood and guts
Review: the best war movie ever made.george c scotts portrayal of general patton the greatest general of our time made this movie.great battle scenes and stunning scenery makes this a must have dvd for any fan of war movies
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Summary: George C. Scott highest achievement...
Review: Simply an incredible performance by George C. Scott. His presence is so intense that you almost come to regard Scott/Patton as the same person. Obviousily, I never had the opportunity to meet and talk with George Patton, but he would be one of those historical figures I'd like to have met and set next to at the dinner table. I also recommend the DVD because of its many extra features, including the documentary, a tribute to Frank Schaffner. The audio history of Patton also adds to an understanding of how this eccentric fellow would become the subject of a great film biography. The audio emphasizes Patton's childhood, youth, and army career prior to the invasion of North Africa. Finally, the DVD package includes a detailed chronology of Patton's career, with dates and locations. Produced in 1970, this well-edited and spectacularly filmed biography is highly recommended for anyone interested in American history and World War II films.
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Summary: Fantastic biography of a great WWII general!
Review: The opening scene is speech Patton made to the graduating cadets at West Point. The speech is made in front of a giant red, white, and blue American flag. This is a fantastic scene, a fantastic speech, and serves as a great introduction to movie's protagonist -- Patton. While part glory-seeking prima-donna, Patton was nonetheless one of the most feared, effective, and successful generals of WWII. The movie does a good job of developing his character. His personality is shown to be complex and multi-faceted: egotistical, religous, foul-mouthed, and hard-driving. Through the eyes and analysis of a Nazi intelligence officer, the inner workings of his psyche are even further analyzed. Patton's belief in reincarnation is thus shown. Patton's competitiveness with other generals is particularly well shown in the drive to Messina on Sicily. The action sequences are fantastic. The first tank battle between Rommel and Patton in Africa is very exciting and is not diminished by time. Even in contrast to Saving Private Ryan, the action in this movie is excellent while not being overdone. As Patton beats Rommel's forces soundly in this first battle he says "I read you book!". The roller-coaster of his career is also well-shown. A hero in Africa, his high-casualty drive to Messina along with an ill-advised motivational slap on a soldier suffering from battle fatigue puts him in the dog house along. Even with no army to command, he succeeds as a diversionary tactic during the invasion of Normandy. But his career defining moment was the Battle of the Bulge and the breakout of American forces at Bastogne. Patton anticipated so well, that he trumps all other generals at the meeting at Verdun with Eisenhower. There is a very moving scene while Patton reads a "weather prayer" and the Battle of the Bulge unfolds. Post WWII controversy with the Russians, and his untimely death are well-foreshadowed. The movie deservedly won 7 or 8 Oscars. And George C. Scott's performance is spectacular, along with a nice supporting job by Karl Malden at General Bradley. This is a great movie.
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Summary: Absolutely Amazing
Review: Quite simply, this is one of the best movies ever made. The story is well told and all the more compelling because it is true. There are moments when one is almost moved to tears and moments when one laughs out loud at human foibles. The battle scenes are all well done. Interestingly enough, I found the German scenes to be among the best and most intriguing. The acting is top notch. Scott gives his best performance ever, Malden is very good, and the German actors are very good as well. All in all, a true great that cannot be missed by anyone attempting to see a sampling of the best films.
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Summary: The Rise & Fall Of Patton
Review: Patton is a sprawling three hour epic detailing the rise and fall of one the most famous military leaders in history, General George S. Patton. Franklin J. Schaffner takes through the battlefields and war rooms of World War II in the African and European theaters with an eye for detail. The opening scene where Patton addresses his troops in front of an enormous American flag sets the tone for the film and is chilling. The war scenes are intense and we get a sense of Patton must have been like. George C. Scott is absolutely amazing as Patton. He delivers the finest performance of his distinguished career. He portrays Patton as a crazed genius, but he doesn't go over the top with it. He plays it with a controlled madness and avoids making Patton into some sort of characture. Mr. Scott won the 1970 Best Actor award for which he famously refused to accept. Mr. Schaffner won Best Director and the film was awarded the Best Picture statuette.
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Summary: A great movie about a great man
Review: General Patton was everything an American hero should be: aggressive, by turns profane and pious, and above all a winner. This movie is all those things as well. Like a handful of other films have, "Patton" captures the chaos, the heroism and the personalities of WWII. George C. Scott's performance as Patton is a masterpiece; it ranks among the great performances by a leading man in the history of Hollywood. The fact that he accomplished this while staying true to an historical figure is all the more remarkable. Overall, this movie does a wonderful job of telling the story of a great American. Normally, I would give it five stars. However, there are some nagging historical innacurcies. Also, the film is colored somewhat by the fact that General Omar Bradely served as a consultant on the film, in spite of the fact that he pretty much hated Patton and was jealous of his abilities. Ultimately though, these are small complaints about an otherwise great movie.
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Summary: One of the better DVD transfers I've seen
Review: I've watched Patton several times before however it was mostly on the Pan And Scan video versions. I was just amazed at what I was missing when I finally got the widescreen version of this movie. They did an excellent job of bringing this film to DVD. The sound is fantastic and the picture clarity is top notch. This movie is certainly one of the best movies out there. As for people who say this movie slams the British and is historically inaccurate they're wrong. One of the main advisors for this movie was General Bradley and it was almost lifted word for word out of his book.
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