"You Magnificent Bastard"

Great acting is a quality that is lacking in today’s Hollywood. This is one of the reasons why I enjoy watching classic movies. Acting is one of the reasons why Patton (1970) won seven Academy Awards. George C. Scott dominates the picture as eccentric World War II General George S. Patton.

This isn’t a typical war movie though. Instead of being filled with amazing battle scenes like Saving Private Ryan (1998), this one focuses more on the humans involved in the conflict, specifically General Patton and his effect on the European side of the war.

Through a combination of writing, Francis Ford Coppola received an Academy Award for co-authoring the screenplay, and magnificent acting by Scott and supporting actor Karl Malden, the tale of Patton comes to life like no other general’s life story has. It is interesting to see the contrast between the comfortable, cocky Scott and the more uptight Malden. It isn’t a typical clash between the young and the old, as Patton believed in reincarnation and was a lifetime military man. The tension between the two men comes from their different views toward battle. Patton believed he was a superior strategist. Malden’s General Bradley was more in line with normal military men and was able to toe the line General Eisenhower set, which in the end led him to have more power than General Patton did. Of course today we remember Patton more than Bradley.

This remembrance of Patton more so than any other general in World War II, excepting Eisenhower, is due in large part because of this movie. For those interested in great acting or an interesting character study, Patton is a must see. It is the best performance in the distinguished career of Scott. It also marks the beginning of Coppola’s career.