PATTON

REVIEWED BY SHANNON H.

Our rating: 3 out of 5

Because of: profanity

Rated:

I'm a huge World War Two fan. I enjoy reading books about this important turning point in the history of the 20th century. World War II is important because it changes the way we look at warfare, history, and politics. To paraphrase a quote I heard from somewhere, "Politicians make the mess, the military cleans it up."

Patton is more than a movie about the second World War; it's a movie about a man who had an important part in fighting in it. He, along with a myriad of other generals, admirals, and such played a role that secured victory for the Allied forces. The film focuses on General George S. Patton (late George C. Scott) and his participation in maintaining an Allied victory. He also happens to let his strong will get in the way of his superiors and fellow officers such as General Omar N. Bradley (Karl Malden). He is almost court marshaled for slapping a soldier in the infirmary (the soldier claimed he couldn't take the shelling and the bombing anymore; we now know that he was suffering from shell shock, however, Patton thought he was just being a coward).

Meanwhile, Nazi military officials are planning for their next attack eastward of Berlin, not knowing of the possible D-Day invasion. After taking a beating from Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery's troops in El Alamein (in North Africa), the Nazis want to try to make a comeback. Their efforts are thwarted by the famous surprise attack on Normandy Beach by several hundred Allied troops (Americans, British, Canadians, etc.) and 12,000 planes on June 6th, 1944. Now the infamous Battle of the Bulge is approaching and Patton must fend off the Nazis from capturing Berlin and win the war in Europe.

The film is rated PG but has a surprising level of profanity, most of it from Patton. I lost count over mild profanities. Although Patton claims to be a Christian (he is seen in a cathedral praying to God), he has no problem using the Lord's name in vain on more than one occasion, calling a shell-shocked soldier a "g** d*** coward." He also refers to the Soviet ambassador as a "son of a b****." There is some violence but it's from the fighting during the war. Allied soldiers refer to Germans as "jerries" and "krauts" and although someone might interpret this as disrespectful behavior, I don't think it poses a problem (I'm sure the Nazis had "nice" names for us too). In reference to Adolf Hitler, Gen. Patton remarks "I'm going to personally shoot that paper hangin' son of a b****."  Although the profanity is quite inappropriate, it expresses the feeling of Americans toward Hitler.

It's hard to say if this is or isn't appropriate. Without the profanity, I would watch this again. It's a brilliant piece of filmmaking and it picked up some Oscar nominations and wins along the way. The late George C. Scott is just perfect as old "blood and guts." It's an excellent portrayal of how the Allied forces overcame the face of evil and liberated millions in Europe from Hitler's clutches. The ending captures the premise of Patton so beautifully.  

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