NAME — Joe Murphy
AGE — 15
Patton (1970) |
Director: Franklin J. Schaffner; Length: 170 minutes; List price on DVD: $14.50 |
RATING: PG-13 |
On a scale of 1 to 5 YPs, Y-Press recommends: YP YP YP YP |
”May God have mercy upon my enemies, because I won’t.”
This quote describes Patton completely; he was a strange combination of a religious poet and an egotistical warrior.
The movie opens with General George S. Patton standing in front of a massive American flag. During this scene George C. Scott gives one of the greatest speeches in cinematic history. The viewers’ introduction to Patton in combat comes after the Allied forces' defeat at the Kassarine pass, in North Africa.
The movie then follows Patton on his North Africa campaign, as he pushes the Germans out of Africa. The secondary plot begins here as Patton races the British General Montgomery, who was given most of the credit for most of the early allied forces’ victories of the war, through North Africa.
Patton then races to Sicily to get the credit for the invasion of Sicily. He is the first to Sicily, but it is in Sicily that the general is almost undone. In the next few weeks Patton makes several mistakes in spoken word and in action. When the American media find out, they publicize it far and wide. Eisenhower, or ‘Ike’ as he is referred to in this movie, relieves Patton of his command. The movie continues to follow the notorious general through various locations in Europe. One of the good features of the movie is the frequent changes in scenery that show Patton's widespread travels.
Patton is ultimately reinstated and tears through Germany, covering 100 miles in 48 hours to push the Nazis to extinction. It all ends at the Battle of the Bulge, the last hope for Hitler.
George C. Scott plays the controversial general down to every last detail. From his belief in reincarnation, to his questionable humor, and his football-coach attitude, Scott’s performance is worthy of Patton in every way. The more even-keeled Gen. Omar Bradley, played very well by Karl Malden, manages to balance out Patton’s ego.
Patton provides a biographical look at the general’s life while keeping youth interested not easy with an under-20 audience. The foul language should keep younger children from watching this movie, but the historical and cinematic value of the film makes it a great movie to watch for mid-teens and older.
Even though it was made in 1970, and centers on a war that’s more than 60 years old, viewers today will still enjoy Patton.
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