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In 1943 North Africa, George Patton (George C. Scott) assumes command of (and instills some much-needed discipline in) the American forces. Engaged in battle against Germany's Field Marshal Rommel (Karl Michael Vogler), Patton drives back "The Desert Fox" by using the German's own tactics. Promoted to Lieutenant General, Patton is sent to Sicily, where he engages in a personal war of egos with British Field Marshal Montgomery (Michael Bates). Performing brilliantly in Italy, Patton seriously jeopardizes his future with a single slap. While touring an Army hospital, the General comes across a GI (Tim Considine) suffering from nervous fatigue. Incensed by what he considers a slacker, Patton smacks the poor soldier and orders him to get well in a hurry. This incident results in his losing his command-and, by extension, missing out on D-Day. In his final campaign, Patton leads the US 3rd Army through Europe. Unabashedly flamboyant, Patton remains a valuable resource, but ultimately proves too much of a "loose cannon" in comparison to the more level-headed tactics of his old friend Omar Bradley (Karl Malden). Patton won 7 Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Actor for Scott, an award that he refused. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
Features
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Disc 1: Introduction by Francis Ford Coppola
Commentary by Francis Ford Coppola
Disc Two: History Throught the Lens: Patton - a rebel revisited documentary
Patton's Ghost Corps documentary
The Making of Patton documentary
Production still gallery accompanied by Jerry Goldsmith's complete musical score
Behind-the-scenes still gallery accompanied by an audio essay on the historical Patton
Art Director - Urie McCleary
Book Author - Ladislas Farago
Book Author - Gen. Omar N. Bradley
Casting - Michael McLean
Cinematographer - Fred Koenekamp
Composer (Music Score) - Jerry Goldsmith
First Assistant Director - Eli Dunn
Makeup - Del Acevedo
Production Designer - Gil Parrondo
Screen Story - Francis Ford Coppola
Screen Story - Edmund H. North
Second Unit Director - Michael Moore
Sound/Sound Designer - James Corcoran
Sound/Sound Designer - Don Bassman
Sound/Sound Designer - Murray Spivack
Sound/Sound Designer - Douglas O. Williams
Special Effects - L.B. Abbott
Special Effects - Art Cruickshank
Stunts - Joe Canutt
Patton ranks as one of the screen's greatest biopics, much as George C. Scott's work in the title role is often considered one of the towering performances in screen history. Scott, and the film overall, benefit from an uncommonly intelligent script by Francis Ford Coppola and Edmund H. North, an odd yet fortuitous pairing of seemingly dissimilar writing styles. Despite a nearly three-hour running time, the film focuses on only a small portion of Patton's career, beginning with his North Africa campaign and continuing to the conclusion of World War II. There are only a few compromises with history -- for example, Patton wears the uniform of a four-star general, a higher rank than was appropriate, at the rousing speech to his troops that begins the movie. The scene, though, is taken almost word-for-word from a speech that Patton delivered on June 4, 1944. It's just one example of the verisimilitude that gives the film its superb texture. Patton also benefits from outstanding tech credits, particularly Fred Koenekamp's cinematography and Jerry Goldsmith's orchestral score. Overall, the film won seven Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Actor. Scott refused his award, which the Academy kept for him in case he later changed his mind. He didn't. ~ Richard Gilliam, Rovi
