Patton

Movie Info

Genre(s): Drama  |  War

Written by: Ladislas Farago (book Patton: Ordeal and Triumph)
Omar N. Bradley (book A Soldier's Story)
Francis Ford Coppola
Edmund H. North

Directed by: Franklin J. Schaffner

Release Date:
Theatrical: February 18, 1970
DVD: November 6, 2001

Running Time: 170 minutes, Color

Origin: USA

Summary

RATING: PG

Starring George C. Scott, Karl Malden, Stephen Young, Michael Strong, Carey Loftin, Morgan Paull, and Karl Michael Vogler

This Academy Award-winning biography of American General George S. Patton chronicles the general's wartime activities and accomplishments, beginning with his entry into the North African campaign and ending with his removal from command after his outspoken criticism of US post-war military strategy.

Also On The Web: Internet Movie Database

What The Critics Said

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What Our Users Said

Vote Now!The average user rating for this movie is 8.2 (out of 10) based on 11 User Votes

Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Enzo P. gave it a7:
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.

Rick J gave it a9:
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.

Mithyus gave it a10:
The myth of Patton is brilliantly presented, and while it develops controversal ideals, those are shown in the most human of the ways.

Riren gave it a10:
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.

Doug T. gave it a10:
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.

J. Ryan G. gave it a7:
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.

Jayson gave it a0:
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.

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