Patton (1970)
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A sprawling epic follows the intense and controversial leadership of U.S. General George S. Patton during World War II.
The story
During World War II, the II Corps suffers a severe defeat at the Battle of Kasserine Pass in North Africa. Hard-charging General George S. Patton is sent to take command; he reorganizes the corps, and imposes strict but necessary discipline. Frustrated by what he perceives as British commander Bernard Montgomery monopolization of the Allied effort, Patton leads the corps to redemption at the Battle of El Guettar. Following Allied victory in North Africa, Patton and Montgomery propose competing plans for the Allied invasion of Sicily. While Patton's aggressive tactics lead to success, his outspoken nature and unconventional methods frequently spark controversy among his peers and the high command.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
During World War II, the II Corps suffers a severe defeat at the Battle of Kasserine Pass in North Africa. Hard-charging General George S. Patton is sent to take command; he reorganizes the corps and imposes strict discipline. After leading the corps to victory at the Battle of El Guettar, Patton and Montgomery propose competing plans for the invasion of Sicily. Despite a more cautious plan from his superiors, Patton's aggressive push leads to the capture of Palermo and Messina. During the campaign, his actions at a field hospital spark public outrage. Patton is later sidelined by Eisenhower and placed in a decoy command in London. After the Normandy landings, he takes command of the Third Army, leading it across France. However, he is forced to halt before Germany due to supply issues. During the Battle of the Bulge, his staff plans a bold operation to relieve the 101st Airborne Division in Bastogne. Following the German capiture, Patton's candid remarks about American politics and his outspoken nature lead to his removal from command of the Third Army. He is retained to oversee the occupation of Germany. The film concludes with Patton narrowly avoiding a fatal accident while walking with his dog, as his voiceover reflects on the fleeting nature of glory.
- First release year
- 1970
- Runtime (minutes)
- 172
- Production countries
- United States
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Franklin J. Schaffner
- Writers
- Francis Ford Coppola · screenplay; Edmund H. North · screenplay
- Cast and characters
- George C. Scott · General George S. Patton; Karl Malden · General Omar N. Bradley; David Bauer · Lieutenant General Harry Buford; Edward Binns · Lieutenant General Walter Bedell Smith; John Doucette · Major General Lucian Truscott; Michael Strong · Brigadier General Hobart Carver, based on Hobart Gay; Peter Barkworth · Colonel John Welkin; Lawrence Dobkin · Colonel Gaston Bell; Paul Stevens · Colonel Charles R. Codman; Morgan Paull · Captain Richard N. Jenson; Stephen Young · Captain Chester B. Hansen; James Edwards · Sergeant William George Meeks
- Genres
- biographical; war; epic
- Themes
- Military leadership; The cost of war; The nature of glory
- Tone and mood
- Epic; Dramatic
- Setting
- North Africa, Sicily, France, and Germany during World War II.
- Premise and plot tags
- War; Biography; Historical Drama
- Source material / true-story basis
- Patton: Ordeal and Triumph by Ladislas Farago and A Soldier's Story by Omar Bradley
- Reception
- The film received critical acclaim, with critics praising George C. Scott's performance as a 'tour de force' and 'unflinching' portrayal. It was noted for its high production value and being a 'compelling biographical war picture.'
- Reported review scores
- Rotten Tomatoes · score: 90% · scale: percentage · review count: 52
- Awards and nominations
- Academy Award · Best Picture · Win; Academy Award · Best Director · Win; Academy Award · Best Original Screenplay · Win; Academy Award · Best Actor · Win
- Production trivia
- The opening monologue was edited to avoid an R rating.; The film was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry in 2003.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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