Patton

Franklin J Schaffner (1970)

163min

bbfc_rating|parental_guidance Certificate

Review

Our Score

by David Parkinson

Released while US forces were still deeply embroiled in Vietnam, this splendid biopic can be viewed as both a tribute to the indomitability of the fighting man (Patton was a much-decorated general in the US Army during the Second World War) and a satire on the myth of the American hero. The screenplay, by Francis Ford Coppola and Edmund H North, received one of the picture's seven Oscars, while director Franklin J Schaffner took another, thanks to the horrific majesty of his battle sequences. But the bedrock of this mammoth drama is the performance in the title role of George C Scott, who became the first actor in Oscar history to refuse his award. Combining blimpish bluster with moments of monstrous ego and unexpected humanity, Scott makes this magnificent film unforgettable.

Summary

Oscar-winning Second World War biopic of the American general admired for his brilliant tactical skills and ability to inspire his men to great things. But this complex man was equally noted for his abrasive temper, egotism and consuming sense of rivalry, which so antagonised his superiors he was eventually relieved of his command. Starring George C Scott, Karl Malden, Michael Bates and Stephen Young.

Cast & Crew

General Patton George C Scott

General Bradley Karl Malden

Field Marshal Montgomery Michael Bates

Major General Walter Bedell Smith Edward Binns

Sgt Meeks James Edwards

Colonel Bell Lawrence Dobkin

Lt Col Davenport Frank Latimore

Captain Jenson Morgan Paull

Brig Gen Carver Michael Strong

Field Marshal Rommel Karl Michael Vogler

Captain Hansen Stephen Young

Lt Gen Buford David Bauer

Colonel John Welkin Peter Barkworth

Air Vice-Marshal Sir Arthur Coningham John Barrie

Soldier who gets slapped Tim Considine

Moroccan minister Albert Dumortier

Air Chief Marshal Sir Arthur Tedder Gerald Flood

General Sir Harold Alexander Jack Gwillim

General Bradley's driver Carey Loftin

General Patton's driver Bill Hickman

Major General Francis de Guingand Douglas Wilmer

First Lt Stiller Patrick J Zurica

Director Franklin J Schaffner

Other Information

Language: EnglishColourGuidance: Edited for language.Available on: video, DVD and Blu-ray

Drama

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Franklin J Schaffner (1970)

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