Watch Patton
- PG
- 1970
- 2 hr 52 min
-
7.9 (108,867)
Patton is a 1970 American biographical war film directed by Franklin J. Schaffner and stars George C. Scott as General George S. Patton Jr. It follows the life of General Patton during World War II and his controversial career. The film begins with Patton's arrival in North Africa to take on the German Afrika Korps. During the North Africa campaign, Patton established himself as a fearless leader and a brilliant strategist, winning battles and earning the admiration of his troops. However, his aggressive and controversial tactics did not sit well with his superiors, including General Omar Bradley (Karl Malden), who was tasked with keeping Patton under control.
As the war progressed, Patton was given command of the Seventh Army and played a critical role in the invasion of Sicily. He then crossed into mainland Italy, but his success was short-lived when he became embroiled in a public relations disaster after slapping a soldier who was suffering from battle fatigue.
Despite his success on the battlefield, Patton's career was marked by controversy and conflict with his superiors. He was also known for his abrasive personality, which often landed him in trouble. However, his skills and leadership qualities made him one of the most respected generals of World War II.
Throughout the film, Patton's personality is showcased through his speeches, which are delivered with a fiery passion that makes it clear he is a man who deeply believes in the cause he is fighting for. He is also shown to be a complex character, with a contradictory nature that makes him both a great warrior and a man of great humanity.
Despite his success on the battlefield, Patton's career was not without its setbacks. Towards the end of the war, Patton made a controversial statement to the press, in which he claimed that the US should have allied with Germany against the Soviet Union. This statement outraged both the American public and the military brass, leading to his removal from command.
The film concludes with Patton returning to the United States, where he retreats from the public eye and reflects on his career. The final scene shows him driving off into the sunset, a fitting end for a man who was larger than life.
Patton is an intense and powerful film, full of action and drama that pull the viewer into the life of its complex and controversial protagonist. At its heart, it is a story about one man's struggle to do what he believed was right, even in the face of enormous opposition. Its themes of leadership, heroism, and sacrifice are universal, making it a timeless classic that still resonates with audiences today.
Patton is a 1970 war movie with a runtime of 2 hours and 52 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.9 and a MetaScore of 86.