Average Rating: 
Rating:  - Outstanding Film on an Outstanding DVD....
This review refers to the Fox War Classic (20th Cent Fox)DVD(single disc)Edition of "Patton".....A film that recieved nearly as many honors as Patton himself, 8 Academy Awards(including Best Picture,1970, Best Actor and Best Director), among numerous others, Golden Globe and Directors Guild included, now gets the royal treatment from 20th Century Fox. It is a beautiful transfer of this 33 year old film that is a pleasure to watch. The picture in Anamorphic Widescreen(2.35:1), which shows off the beautiful cinematography is incredible.It is clear and sharp with vibrant colors. The choice of sound is 5.1 Dolby or Stereo Surround, and is excellent as well. The dialouge, the music, the sounds of battle all surround you wonderfully. It may be viewed with captions in English or Spanish that appear in the black bar area(although the English subtitles, when the Germans are speaking are in the picture itself).One of the special features is an audio essay that you can choose to run during the film. The speaker is Charles Provence, the President of the Gen. George S. Patton Historical Society, and he presents a total picture of Patton. He speaks about his days as a child, as a young Lt. in the Army and all Patton's amazing accomplishmnets in his lifetime.He also speaks of certain incidences in the film and exactly the way they really happened(i.e. the slapping incident) The essay runs about 1:20 and is highly captivating and informative. Not much else in the way of bonus material, but it does come with a little booklet that gives Patton's achievements in a time line form. For me the quality of this DVD was bonus enough. The movie itself would be a welcome addition to any history, film or war buff. Director Franklin Schaffner has done an expert and meticulous job of filming a fascinating look at a fascinating man who is such a huge part of our history. Patton's invovlment in WWII, his genius at military tatics and his overwhelming personality are all very much a part of this film. His disdain for "cowards", his admiration of the fighting men, who feared him but proudly fought for him, his obsession for glory, his poetry, his belief in reincarnation, the battles, his adversities and triumphs all make for a captivating story. Geroge C. Scott plays Patton in a way that you would think it was Patton himself on the screen. Karl Malden also turns in a wonderful performance of Gen. Omar Bradley. Karl Michael Vogler(Rommel),Richard Munch(Gen Jodl) and Michael Bates(Montgomery) add their wonderful talents as well. Jerry Goldsmith's score has great feeling and is perfect for this film. The movie was based on material from books by Omar Bradley(A Soldier's Story) and Ladislas Farago(Patton: Ordeal and Triumph). A terrific addition to any film library...
Thanks and enjoy...Laurie
Rating: - The Single Best War Biography Ever Filmed!
When this movie was released, it was almost immediately recognized as one of the finest, most accurate and most sensational biographies ever filmed. The unique integration in "Patton" of such fine acting, such a wonderful script, and the filming itself combined to make this a gorgeous film to watch, be entertained with, and also learn from in terms of its historical value as an absolutely superb depiction of a most controversial man and his times. All that said, this is a movie best enjoyed with the kind of visual clarity, terrific cinematography, and matchless Technicolor it offers by way of DVD technology. George C. Scott gives the performance of a lifetime as the ego-drive, brilliant, and iconoclastic Patton, marvel of the U.S Army, a man the Germans are convinced is far and away the single best General the Allies have, and they watch him convinced he is the only logical centerpiece for American plans for the impending invasion of Europe. Of course, they didn't understand the politics of the day, or the degree to which Patton was his own worst enemy. Yet the progress of the story on the screen convinces the viewer of the accuracy of the German command's judgments of him; he is at once bold, brilliant, and innovative, willing to improvise as he goes along to seize the opportunity of a given moment, attempting to grab hold of the ever-present chaos of the situation to transform it into an asset he can employ to gain advantage and win the engagement. Such men as Patton (and MacArthur and others) are uniquely suited for war; they do not ordinarily fare well or survive with much public acclaim during less extreme and bloodcurdling times. The fact that Eisenhower, for example, succeeded so well as President is probably due more to the fact that he was less a battlefield commander and leader of "desperate men in combat" like Patton than he was a superb organizer and a natural politician. The movie "Patton" is an investment in both great entertainment and a colorful, dramatic, and educational video you can share with your sons and daughters to help them understand better the chaos, contradictions, and cruelties of war. Enjoy!
Rating: - The Rise & Fall Of Patton
Patton is a sprawling three hour epic detailing the rise and fall of one the most famous military leaders in history, General George S. Patton. Franklin J. Schaffner takes through the battlefields and war rooms of World War II in the African and European theaters with an eye for detail. The opening scene where Patton addresses his troops in front of an enormous American flag sets the tone for the film and is chilling. The war scenes are intense and we get a sense of Patton must have been like. George C. Scott is absolutely amazing as Patton. He delivers the finest performance of his distinguished career. He portrays Patton as a crazed genius, but he doesn't go over the top with it. He plays it with a controlled madness and avoids making Patton into some sort of characture. Mr. Scott won the 1970 Best Actor award for which he famously refused to accept. Mr. Schaffner won Best Director and the film was awarded the Best Picture statuette.
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