Patton [2 Discs] [Blu-ray/DVD]

Overview

In 1943 North Africa, George Patton (George C. Scott) assumes command of (and instills some much-needed discipline in) the American forces. Engaged in battle against Germany's Field Marshal Rommel (Karl Michael Vogler), Patton drives back "The Desert Fox" by using the German's own tactics. Promoted to Lieutenant General, Patton is sent to Sicily, where he engages in a personal war of egos with British Field Marshal Montgomery (Michael Bates). Performing brilliantly in Italy, Patton seriously jeopardizes his future with a single slap. While touring an Army hospital, the General comes across a GI (Tim Considine) suffering from nervous fatigue. Incensed by what he considers a slacker, Patton smacks the poor soldier and orders him to get well in a hurry. This incident results in his losing his command-and, by extension, missing out on D-Day. In his final campaign, Patton leads the US 3rd Army through Europe. Unabashedly flamboyant, Patton remains a valuable resource, but ultimately proves too much of a "loose cannon" in comparison to the more level-headed tactics of his old friend Omar Bradley (Karl Malden). Patton won 7 Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Actor for Scott, an award that he refused. Relive the classic war drama in this special new set.

Product Details

Release Date:	11/06/2012
UPC:	0024543835332
Original Release:	1970
Rating:	PG
Source:	20Th Century Fox
Region Code:	A
Presentation:	[Wide Screen]
Sound:	[Dolby Digital Mono]
Language:	English
Time:	2:52:00

Special Features

Disc 1 (Blu-ray disc):; Feature film; Introduction by Francis Ford Coppola; Commentary by Francis Ford Coppola; ; Disc 2 (standard def disc): ; History through the lens: Patton - a rebel revisited documentary; Patton's ghost corps documentary; The making of Patton documentary; Production still gallery accompanied by Jerry Goldsmith's complete musical score; Behind-the-scenes still gallery accompanied by an audio essay on the historical Patton; Original theatrical trailer

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

George C. Scott	Gen. George S. Patton
Karl Malden	Bradley
Michael Bates	Montgomery
Edward Binns	Smith,Actor
Karl Michael Vogler	Rommel
Paul Stevens	Codman
Stephen Young	Hansen
Morgan Paull	Jenson
Michael Strong	Carver
Lawrence Dobkin	Col. Gaston Bell
John Doucette	Maj. Gen. Lucian K. Truscott
James Edwards	Sgt. William George Meeks
Frank Latimore	Lt. Col. Henry Davenport
Newsreels	Actor
Richard Munch	Col. Gen. Alfred Jodl
Siegfried Rauch	Capt. Oskar Steiger
Peter Barkworth	Col. John Welkin
John Barrie	Air Vice-Marshal Sir Arthur Coningham
David Bauer	Lt. Gen. Harry Buford
Tim Considine	Slapped Soldier
Gerald Flood	Air Chief Marshal Sir Arthur Tedder
Jack Gwillim	Gen. Sir Harold Alexander
David Healy	Clergyman
Bill Hickman	Gen. Patton's Driver
Carey Loftin	Gen. Bradley's Driver
Lionel Murton	3rd Army Chaplain
Sandy Kevin	Correspondent
Douglas Wilmer	Maj. Gen. Francis de Guingand
Patrick J. Zurica	1st Lt. Alexander Stiller,Actor
Alan MacNaughton	British Briefing Officer
Alan MacNaughtan	British Briefing Officer
Clint Ritchie	Tank Captain
Harry Morgan	Uncredited
Lowell Thomas	Narrator of Fox Movietone
Jerry Goldsmith	Composer
Richard Münch	Actor
Albert Dumortier	Actor
Sandy McPeak	Correspondent

Technical Credits

Francis Ford Coppola

Edmund H. North

Franklin J. Schaffner	Director
Francis Ford Coppola	Screenwriter
Edmund H. North	Screenwriter
Frank McCarthy	Producer
Frank Caffey	Producer
Joe Canutt	Stunts
Art Cruickshank	Special Effects
L.B. Abbott	Special Effects
Don Bassman	Sound/Sound Designer
Douglas O. Williams	Sound/Sound Designer,Sound Effects
Alex Weldon	Special Effects
James Corcoran	Sound Effects
Theodore Soderberg	Sound Effects
Murray Spivack	Sound Effects
Michael McLean	Casting

Editorial Reviews

Patton ranks as one of the screen's greatest biopics, much as George C. Scott's work in the title role is often considered one of the towering performances in screen history. Scott, and the film overall, benefit from an uncommonly intelligent script by Francis Ford Coppola and Edmund H. North, an odd yet fortuitous pairing of seemingly dissimilar writing styles. Despite a nearly three-hour running time, the film focuses on only a small portion of Patton's career, beginning with his North Africa campaign and continuing to the conclusion of World War II. There are only a few compromises with history -- for example, Patton wears the uniform of a four-star general, a higher rank than was appropriate, at the rousing speech to his troops that begins the movie. The scene, though, is taken almost word-for-word from a speech that Patton delivered on June 4, 1944. It's just one example of the verisimilitude that gives the film its superb texture. Patton also benefits from outstanding tech credits, particularly Fred Koenekamp's cinematography and Jerry Goldsmith's orchestral score. Overall, the film won seven Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Actor. Scott refused his award, which the Academy kept for him in case he later changed his mind. He didn't.