Watch The Last Days of Patton

The Last Days of Patton is a 1986 biographical film that follows the final weeks of the life of American General George S. Patton. The film offers a thrilling account of General Patton's controversial career in WWII, particularly in the final phase of the war in Europe. The movie is directed by Delbert Mann and, for the most part, it remains true to the facts.

George C. Scott stars in the titular role of General Patton, a war hero with his reputation preceding him. The film begins with Patton's post-war duties in Europe, where he is tasked with rebuilding the shattered territories of Germany while keeping the defeated country under strict control. However, Patton was never one to play it safe, and he quickly made several controversial decisions that created conflict with his superiors.

The movie provides a glimpse of Patton's personal life, as well as his efforts to restore the morale of the American soldiers. We see how Patton, who was the ultimate military man revered by his troops, struggles with the harsh reality of being restricted in his role. We also learn more about his beloved wife Beatrice, played by Eva Marie Saint, who was his support system throughout his life.

Trouble starts brewing when General Eisenhower, played by Richard Dysart, drops a bombshell on Patton – he is being relieved of his command of the US Third Army, which he has led to a string of victories during the war. Patton is initially shocked by the decision, and he is unable to accept it, given the years he has dedicated to the army. This leads him to make a series of out-of-order and controversial remarks that put him squarely in the crosshairs of public scrutiny.

Murray Hamilton plays Lieutenant General Hobart Carver, the man tasked with replacing Patton. As we see in the film, Carver's demeanor is completely different from Patton's. He is presented as a more reserved and formal person who is bemused by Patton's antics. There is a subtle rivalry between the two, and it becomes all the more evident when Carver is announced as Patton's replacement.

The crux of the movie is the events that occur during Patton's final days in the army. He is hospitalized following a car accident, and the film explores his emotional state during his time in the hospital. We see Patton contemplating his accomplishments, bemoaning the decisions he made during his career and trying to come to terms with his own mortality.

Despite being a character study of Patton, the movie also has a strong historical component to it. The film does an excellent job of balancing the man and the historical figure he was. We see the impact of the media on public opinion, especially with their interpretation of his words. We also get an idea of the political and social climate in the final days of WWII and of the way in which relationships between the Allied powers were strained.

The Last Days of Patton is a film that does justice to the life of an American war hero. The movie has a powerful cast, with Scott's performance as Patton standing out as one of his best. It's a respectful, and sometimes even moving, portrayal of a man who was larger than life. This is a well-crafted and well-scripted movie that is informative and entertaining in equal measure.

The Last Days of Patton is a 1986 war movie with a runtime of 2 hours and 28 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.3.