Patton
User Score
8.3 out of 10

Universal acclaim- based on 35 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 34 out of 35
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 35
  3. Negative: 1 out of 35

Review this movie

  1. Your Score
    0 out of 10
    Rate this:
  1. Submit
  2. Check Spelling
view
per page
  1. ryancarroll88
    Aug 26, 2010
    9
    George C. Scott's portrayal of the WWII General George Patton is a sight to behold, and it's really his performance that drives the whole movie - not at all a bad thing.
  2. rodericrinehart
    Aug 14, 2010
    8
    Patton was a despicable, gritty, SOB that helped America defeat the Nazis. Scott absolutely nails the performance and shows the many sides of this complicated man.
  3. EnzoP.
    Jul 27, 2009
    7
    Patton is based on General Patton toughness, cruelness and leadership. George C. Scott the man who plays Patton is astonishing, he gives a performance of a lifetime, not shocked he won the oscar for best actor. Also Karl Malden plays really good great acting throughout the movie. But the problem about the film is that when you make a really long film it has to be highly entertaining or you will just get bored and fall asleep.So that is what really backfired throughout this movie. That is why I did not like it as much as the critics. The only time I thought it was highly entertaining was in the last six minutes. In the first hour I would of gave it a five. Then in the next hour I would of gave it a six. Then finally in the last hour I decided to give this film a seven.… Expand
  4. RickJ
    May 9, 2008
    9
    I saw this for the first time this weekend. Excellent movie with top notch acting. It definitely makes me want to research more into the North Africa campaign during WW II.
  5. Mithyus
    Apr 1, 2007
    10
    The myth of Patton is brilliantly presented, and while it develops controversal ideals, those are shown in the most human of the ways.
  6. Riren
    Jan 10, 2007
    10
    A movie that is guaranteed to grow less popular as the years pass and all things war become less acceptable - a positive notion for society, but an unfortunate one for film. Scott delivers the performance of a lifetime, fully embracing the geniune and outrageous character of General George S. Patton. Much like GANDHI, PATTON focuses very little of the childhood or development phases of its title character, instead thrusting us towards a truly memorable and perplexing human. This story is very thoughtful and driven by dialogue, without much in the way of baseness or bloody action; indeed there is more screentime devoted to the fatigue and damage done by war than to battle. Again like GANDHI, this film avoids criticizing its focal character, and tries to make its audience sympathize with whatever flaws or shortcomings it reveals about him. Really, the only difference between these two biopics (which are quite possibly the two best biographical films in the English language) is their main character's compulsion towards an end; Gandhi driven for peace, and Patton lusting for war. Do not expect PATTON to flinch; to its final scenes, it will not concede that the insensitivity and battle-pride of its main character are wrong. The best it will do is thankfully suggest that people such as Patton are a rare and increasingly unnecessary breed. The score is moving, the settings feel startlingly authentic (especially in contrast to contemporary film's green screen fetish), and the direction is unwaveringly thoughtful. This is a war movie for people who think, and thinking people need to see this movie.… Expand
  7. DougT.
    Dec 7, 2005
    10
    One of the finest actor's portrayal of a historical personality committed to film since Maria Falconetti in "The Passion of Joan of Arc." Similar to "Lawrence of Arabia", and at least that good.
  8. J.RyanG.
    May 29, 2005
    7
    We have to be careful with movies that follow their lead character like a puppy dog. Either we must learn about human nature by seeing the internal workings of the character, or we must learn from his perspective about the world around him. Here we do more of the second than the first, though there is not always a healthy balance. It is interesting to see a rather frank and modern look at the way a political figure (in this case, of the military variety) operates with, against, and under the pressuring phenomenon of public approval. George C. Scott is ordinarily brilliant and intense, but see "The Hospital" for a slightly better sampling of his talent.… Expand
  9. Jayson
    Apr 8, 2005
    0
    Even more boring than The Longest Day. It made me feel like the first passengers of the demented ship from Horizon. I wanted to tear my eyes out for my own protection.
  10. DavidB.
    Mar 9, 2005
    8
    An apparently unbiased WWII movie, with uneven pacing, perhaps. Had any actor other than Mr. Scott been casted we wouldn't be discussing this movie here. Definately a personality vignette rather than a war movie. It left me wanting more footage of the early years of Patton.

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
91 out of 100

Universal acclaim - based on 9 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 9
  3. Negative: 0 out of 9
  1. Chicago Reader
    Reviewed by: Dave Kehr
    80
    Patton's personality--conveyed with pointed theatrical flair by George C. Scott--is registered in rich tones of grandeur and megalomania, genius and petty sadism.
    Read full review
  2. Chicago Sun-Times
    Reviewed by: Roger Ebert
    88
    Not a war film so much as the story of a personality who has found the right role to play. Scott's theatricality is electrifying.
    Read full review
  3. Chicago Tribune
    Reviewed by: Michael Wilmington
    100
    The movie holds up far better than its detractors guessed - splendidly, in fact - not only thanks to Scott's spellbinding acting, but to the epic imagery, Coppola's (and Edmund North's) highly intelligent script and Schaffner's lucid, perfectly controlled direction.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »