Patton

Rating: 4.25/5

Overall, Patton is a pretty flawless movie. It boasts an immensely strong lead performance, powerful sequences showing the perils of war, and a scene that has become undoubtably famous and instantly recognizable.

Though I watched this movie months ago, what still sticks out to me about what I really noticed and appreciated about it was that it was a World War II film that felt entirely different than anything I'd seen before. It's no secret that the bulk of movies centered around this time period and topic are largely focused on either Germany and or the Holocaust. It's very understandable, as that's what likely comes to many minds when thinking about World War II. However, as someone who is fascinated by history but certainly needs to learn more about it, I have to say there were parts of Patton that I found to be quite eye opening. Now I know watching a movie isn't exactly a history lesson, but I have to imagine with a topic such as this, that it contained more fact than fiction.

I always say I need to work on adding more films from the war genre to my watched list, and the Oscar Best Picture watch through certainly helped me in that goal. I know I have a lot more that I need to see, but at least I can now say that I've watched one of the more famously revered films and can agree with why Patton is held in such high regard.

1971 Best Picture Winner - Patton

1971 Best Actor in a Leading Role Winner - George C. Scott

1971 Best Director Winner - Franklin J. Schaffner

1971 Best Writing, Story and Screenplay Based on Factual Material or Material Not Previously Published or Produced Winners - Francis Ford Coppola and Edmund H. North

1971 Winner Best Art Direction - Set Direction Winners - Urie McCleary, Gil Parrondo, Antonio Mateos, and Pierre-Louis Thevenet

1971 Best Sound Winners - Douglas O. Williams and Don J. Bassman

1971 Best Film Editing Winner - Hugh S. Fowler