
Old Blood and Guts faithfully presented
Review created: 10/05/06(updated 10/08/06)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful.
A classic of its genre, this film does not attempt to mislead the viewer about the nature of war in the manner of so many diluted war films. Patton, the warrior, maverick general, wealthy California aristocrat and crude charlatan, is displayed warts and all in a virtuoso performance that is surprisingly faithful to the historical record. It is a long film, devoid of love interest - or indeed any interest except the fulfillment of the destiny of George S. Patton. It ends with his departure from Third Army so, sadly, the viewer is deprived of the ironic futility of Patton's death, of his disillusioned and "voice-in-the-wilderness" path to his grave in Luxembourg. But what it tackles it tackles well, portraying Generals Bradley, Eisenhower and Bedell Smith from an objective viewpoint. It focuses overmuch on the rivalry between Patton and Field Marshal Montgomery and, as a result, Monty is something of a caricature. That caricature is balanced in the film, as it was in life, by the calm reason of Major General Freddy de Guingand, Chief of Staff British Eighth Army. It is a film for WWII student and layman alike.
Review ID: 10000000002018803

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