Patton

Based on biographical material, including A Soldier's Story by General Omar Bradley (played in the film by Karl Malden), Franklin J. Schaffner's 1970 hit Patton opens with Patton's (George C. Scott) now legendary monologue addressing the troops, before tracing "Old Blood and Guts" WWII career from his decisive victory over Rommel's tank forces during the African campaign to his course across Italy and finally into Germany. In addition to winning Oscars for Best Picture and Best Director, Scott's portrayal of Patton's erratic personality and brilliant mind earned him a statue (which he refused to accept, noting that "the ceremonies are a two-hour meat parade..."). In the interesting asides department, Nixon watched Patton twice before ordering the invasion of Cambodia, prompting a wag at Life magazine to suggest he try Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs next time. Not to be confused with the double-disc "special edition" released by Fox in 1999 for $24.98, this single disc nevertheless features a solid Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtrack, surprisingly sharp image, and an insightful, non-scene-specific audio essay for the first half of the film by Charles Province (what's missing are the "making of" and Jerry Goldsmith's isolated score). If you don't already own the double-disc version, then pick this one up…and that's a direct order, soldier. Highly recommended. Editor's Choice. (R. Pitman)[DVD Review—May 16, 2006—Fox, 2 discs, 171 min., PG, $19.98—Making its third appearance on DVD, 1970's Patton boasts an excellent transfer and Dolby Digital 5.0 sound. DVD extras on this double-disc set include an all new introduction by co-screenwriter Francis Ford Coppola plus an audio commentary by Coppola, the 90-minute documentary “History Through the Lens: Patton—A Rebel Revisited,” a 50-minute “making-of” documentary, a 47-minute “Patton's Ghost Corps” documentary on the surviving fighters, a gallery of production stills accompanied by Jerry Goldsmith's complete musical score, a behind-the-scenes gallery with an audio essay on the historical Patton, and trailers. Bottom line: a meaty extras package for an Oscar-winning classic.][Blu-ray Review—June 24, 2008—Fox, 2 discs, 172 min., PG, $39.98—Making its first appearance on Blu-ray, 1970's Patton sports a very nice transfer with DTS HD 5.1 Master lossless sound. The bonus features on this release are identical to those on the standard DVD release, including an introduction by co-screenwriter Francis Ford Coppola plus an audio commentary by Coppola, the 90-minute documentary “History Through the Lens: Patton—A Rebel Revisited,” a 50-minute “making-of” documentary, a 47-minute “Patton's Ghost Corps” documentary on the surviving fighters, a gallery of production stills accompanied by Jerry Goldsmith's complete musical score, a behind-the-scenes gallery with an audio essay on the historical George S. Patton, and trailers. Bottom line: an excellent Blu-ray release nicely filled out with the full complement of previously available DVD extras.]