One of my professors was a US Army officer in the early 70s. While at Fort Knox, he - a young 2LT - found himself being chewed out by Lt. Gen. George S. Patton IV. While the general ranted and raved, my friend started to smirk. "What are you smiling at, Second Lieutenant?," he asked, emphasizing his supremely junior rank? My friend replied "The Irony, sir. 35 years ago, your father chewed out my father, a field artillery master sergeant." Patton's jaw dropped, and he totally forgot the subject of their talk. Afterwards, the general called my friend by his first name.
People aren’t taught that WW2 was a war of amateurs. The prewar Army was tiny. Professional soldiers were a small minority of those who served. Most professional soldiers stayed in CONUS and trained volunteers and draftees. The ones overseas were more often staff and logistics officers. Pros in combat like Patton were a rarity.
Professionals could be found in the remainings of invaded countries (Poland, Dutch, French free forces). These were very few in numbers, but very determind and for most of those professional soldier, or simply soldiers that at least had fought for the better part of 2 years before the US even became involved. This can explain how they stood up to German forces even when heavily outnumbered like at El Alamein or Bir Hakeim.
Sawyer Northrop well not all wars, this is for instance how the Roman army was so terribly efficient : often years of training before seeing an actual battle, with units ranked by experience each having specific roles. But i agree that most wars were fought by levies and conscripts.
My grandpa was one of the few. Trained at Valley Forge from a child. Second generation war hero. Silver star for both father and son I believe. Great grandpa Purple Heart but anyone can get that. Ok third generation involved in active war. So he was extremely ready and able to wipe out and was great when it was dark as he was color blind and somehow that helped him sort out enemy from friend and camo was easier for him to spot out. His set of traits were bred specifically for the army. Tall, shoulders so wide you’d think he’s two people, size 12.5 shoes, 6 ft1 inches. Strong as an ox. Catcher who could’ve gone pro until he was called up to do his duty. I’m not sure if going to valley forge meant you were going to war? Or if he just wanted to do his duty. Whatever it was he served like a hero. . RIP Pop Pop.
Eisenhower was already pissed at Patton before the slapping incident. When the Patton invaded Sicily he had his troops so keyed up to shoot anything that moved they ended up shooting down the US Air Support in the worst case of American Friendly fire in all of WW2 and Eisenhower held Patton personally responsible for this. The slapping incident was just the straw that broke the Camels back. (Source The Second World War: Antony Beevor) Edited: To provide source.
Terry Allen thought of Patton as a millstone tied to everyone else, Teddy Roosevelt Jr seems to also have something against him too... He must have been difficult to operate alongside.
I thought the worse case of friendly fire happened during that night time training exercise along the British coast with casualties among both British and American personnel. Not only was there friendly fire, but apparently a group of German Z boats came in and started torping the ships that were participating in the training. I think this was for a possible night time landing for D day I think, or it had happened just before dawn can't remember exactly the specifics of it all.
Interesting fact: One throw-away detail in the film shows Patton reading a book entitled A History of the Norman Conquests, as he was being flown into Normandy along with all the other "Spare Parts." The fact is, he really was reading that book, researching where all the ancient Roman roads in Northern France were so he could use them for his tanks. They were the only roads capable of allowing him to run the tanks at full speed and they were used as his line of advance, which explains why he was able to move so far and so fast the Germans couldn't stop him.
Interesting. Even in 1963 when I arrived in the UK as a graduate student in geography, UK roads could not support tanks. The rural roads were too narrow and not strong enough to support them. British roads were the best obstacle to invasion.
Amazing that roman roads held up with tanks driving over them thousands of years after being built. Probably overlooked by the Germans too who'd be focusing on the modern roads
@@user-xg8yy7yl1d Actually, considering the engineering the Romans put into their roads, which was advanced even by modern standards, it's not too surprising. Patton's skill as a historian made him the general he was. Why do you think the phrase "All roads lead to Rome" is more than just a stock phrase. They were renown for their engineering skill.
@@Skyking67832 Few people realize that Roman roads of the time were Asphalt over stone foundations. They were for smoother chariot rides. And at the height of the empire, relatively well maintained. (Until the Crazy Emperors took over, and raided the coffers. )
From a narrative perspective I liked how they handled Eisenhower. The fact that we never see him combined with the way they always talk about him honestly reminds me of how people talk about God, which I imagine isn't too far off the mark for the time.
Along those lines, Patton would refer to Ike in his (known to be censored) mail to his wife as "Divine Destiny." As in, "if Devine Destiny grants my wish," etc. Obviously, this comes from Ike's given names, "Dwight David."
Not american. Eisenhower was so respected that some politician asked him to (coup) run for president again. He denied. Many american generals were honorable men. American have greatest military system with people putting their country first. Not like Bush American.
@@timvanrijn8239 They should have let Patton go after them. We could have avoided the cold war if he did so. It would have been bloody, but maybe not as bloody as communism during the rest of the 20th century ended up being. Instead he was killed because he knew too much and didn't conform to the globalists.
@@NormanMStewart One of my uncles was in an US Army unit that over ran a death camp. He would only say that they helped liberate it and would talk no further of it. He went to college, graduated, married, had a successful career and loving family but of some of his life he would not talk of.
Not enough bling on that uniform, that facial hair is problematic, your cover was off-center, and how can you even see without your issued BCG's? Drop down and push that floor until I'm tired!
and don't forget to POLICE THAT MUSTACHE! COMPLY WITH THE GROOMING STANDARD! That reminds me: you could review Generation Kill from 2008 about the Iraq War.
+Garret LeBuis It's not even the correct form of uniform... Patton (in th Movie scene with the flag and fanfare) wore his parade dress ... not creased BDUs...
Feno 3000 ACUs, not BDUs. Also, you're not supposed to press your ACU, or MCCUs for that matter, all of the successors to the BDU are supposed to be wash and wear, so no more starching the hell out of them and pressing them until they can stand up on their own.
My grandfather was a S/Sgt leading a squad for the 8th Inf. Rgt. Intelligence and Reconnaissance Platoon during WWII who never really cared for films or TV. My Father remembers him storming out of a theater watching some war movie in the '50s angrily shouting, "That's not how war is!" and never saw another movie. Or he would have, until the movie Patton. Grandpa had served with the 4th Infantry Division since 1940(back when it was a motorized division) and was there for the Louisiana Maneuvers with Patton and admired his style. As far as Grandpa was concerned, this was the one movie he saw that got it right.
The reason that Patton enforced uniform code was to create discipline. My dad, 6th Armored, was in dirty grease stained tanker overalls. He hadn't shaved in a week or so. He was riding a liberated French bike, out scrounging for food. General Patton came rolling up the road in a M4 Sherman. From the German end of the road! His tank was painted gloss OD. His stars prominently displayed on the front. My Dad fully expected a loud reprimand. Instead General Patton asked where his CO was. Dad told him. The General asked why they were stopped. Dad explained the German's held the next village and they were waiting for orders. The General barked back he had just came from from the village and there weren't any Germans in the village. Told my Dad to get his tanks fired up and ready to move! Five minutes later, orders came to move from a thoroughly chastised company commander. Yep, true story. The general loved his fighting troops.
Patton literally stole fuel for his troops and always right behind his troops. He loved and stick by his troops. Maybe that why they rekt through enemy line.
Half ironically, recent research into General Marshall's papers produced a copy of a memo that Eisenhower sent to Patton around early '44 where Ike basically told Patton that if he messed up just ONE MORE TIME his career was OVER. In other words, before Patton had the chance to redeem himself in the Normandy breakout, he came as close as he could to ruin without crossing the line. This fact also makes one wonder just how much Eisenhower went to bat for Patton. Maybe he did and the real reason Patton was given that one last chance was because Eisenhower fought for him - but perhaps not. That said, It is true that Patton was indirectly responsible for helping save and then make Eisenhower's career. In the '20s Ike came perilously close to being thrown out of the army on an accusation of committing fraud (he tried to get a housing supplement to his income he actually did not deserve). Part of the reason he dodged that bullet was being moved out of his current assignment with Patton helping Ike get connected with Fox Conner, an older, skilled soldier who arguably became Ike's greatest mentor. Conner took a real interest in Eisenhower and helped to teach him the skills that allowed Ike to turn around and ace the Command and Staff college (Patton also apparently helped by giving him his old notes) - which was when Eisenhower's career really began to takeoff. So, Ike clearly owed Patton a debt, so I am inclined to think he really did go to bat for him, but perhaps more research will make this matter clear.
John Rodrigues Eisenhower’s job WAS effectively to be a politician and strategic mind. However, while Patton was certainly better on the tactical and perhaps operational level, I submit that Eisenhower would have been far better in Patton’s job than vice versa. Don’t dis Eisenhower- he was in charge of the western allies and they did win.
@@Ranillon look at the Battle of the Bulge. Patton advocated driving across the base of the Bulge. This would have trapped over 100000 Germans. Eisenhower elected to push them back to their lines. This was a gross tactical and strategic mistake.
I had read only 3 books on Patton, Eisen and Mac Arthur. It seems like Patton was one of the old blood who was respected by many at the time. Daring and dependable with tendency to war monger. History would be different if he didnt died early. Most literature put him down as useful but hot head idiot. I doubt they dare write if he was alive.
In the book Panzer Commander: The Memoirs of Colonel Hans Von Luck. Von Luck say's Patton was known as the American Rommel. That is high praise from somebody that worked very closely with Rommel and revered him in the highest regard. I think this is important because there is a a myth that German soldiers didn't know who Patton even was. This may have been true on the Eastern Front but if they were on the Western Front they knew bloody damn well who old Blood and Gut's was.
I'm pretty sure they had dossiers on all senior officers in opposing forces. Whether they were as obsessed with him as Americans like to think... no clue there.
Operation Fortitude succeeded because MI5 had spent years capturing and/or turning every German agent in Britain, so that every report received by the Germans from an agent within the UK had in fact been written by a British Intelligence agent, to provide an accurate enough picture of the hoax to not just tie up forces in the Pas de Calais, but 13 divisions in Norway.
I have got the weirdest luck. You're distantly related to Ol' Blood and Guts, my Great Uncle William actually rode with him in the 3rd. Here's a little tidbit for you in regards to the movie, you remember that scene where he says to his dog, 'You're name's not William, it's Willie!' When I was a kid and watched the movie with him, he said that's exactly Patton said to him, word for word, when he got pulled to the side by him to reprimand him and he asked for my Great Uncle's name, lol! It really IS a small world!
What a plot twist towards the end of your review. 😂 While many movies mystify the protagonists, this one, together with your review, actually makes Patton looks like an average human-being no different from you and me. I have not watched this movie before but guess I will do so after your review.
Here’s a list of movies I’d like you to review for historical accuracy: 1. The battle of Britain. 2. The longest day. 3. A bridge too far. 4. Black Hawk down. 5. The great escape. 6. Fury. 7. Midway. 1976 8. Glory. Thanks
BRIDGE TO FALL. Nail on the HEAD..Some incidents had to be compressed. Incident of the Sgt pulling his .45 spot on.. A "hearing" was convened in England a few weeks (2?) after failed Market Gardens..all charges were dropped aganist the Sgt. According to the text A BRIDGE TO FAR..the doctor talked to the Sgt & asked him; "..would u have shot me?" The Sgt stood straight & tall, saluted the Doctor rotating on his feet & left the Hearing room The Lt (Captain?) Woke up in a hospital in England about a few days later witg just a headache
"un-omits" I shall use it. It shall be mine. It's a thing a now. I just hit the edit button to add, this is a great video. I've watched several of your videos. Like all lovers of history, sometimes I'm cheering you on, and sometimes I'm screaming at the screen. That's why I keep coming back. I enjoyed this video, not because I agree or disagree (cause really, who cares lol) but its pacing is teaching some things which isn't easy in my 40's! I admit, however, the content doesn't hurt either. I mean, come on, it's Patton! Not that your hurting for subs, but you earned another one today. Great video! Looking forward to the next video!
I visited General Patton's grave in Luxembourg on Memorial Day 1992. I was surprised with just how simple it was. What distinguished it from the rest at the American Cemetery was that his Marker was facing the rest of the interred soldiers there as if he were at eternal inspection of the troops. I also got to stay at the Patton Hotel in Garmisch(?) Germany during Christmas. Being an Air Force Brat gave me a lot of opportunities to see a lot of things in Europe between '88 and '92.
Funny enough the French loved Patton so much they offered to bury him in the same tomb as Napoleon. But it was decided that the best place for him was with his men.
Love your review. Thank you. I served under Col. Patton commander of the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment (Blackhorse) in Vietnam 1968-1969. Instantly recognized your shoulder patch of course. Saw this movie after returning from Vietnam while intoxicated, which I was a lot for those first few years back due to PTSD. Loved it because of the honest way it was made and the way the general was portrayed. Took me a while in Vietnam but I understood better afterward why Patton Jr. (not official designation) was so strict. He rode over our deployment to the field column of armor handing out article 15's for lack of helmets or flack jackets unzipped. I saw on a later mission a man on a the vehicle in front of me die because his flack jacket was unzipped. Later yet (in 1995) I returned to Vietnam and in our group of vets was a Cav vet who had a private talk with the colonel due to being assessed an article 15 for a loose M-16 observed on his vehicle. Colonel Patton showed him the famous pearl handled revolver of his father's and treated him as a son. Good work!
I suppose that would make us distant relations, also. Duane Patton, my grandfather's brother, served in 3rd Army as a medic. He landed at Le Harve in December of 1944, and served in the 1252nd Medical Detachment.
patton was the only movie that both my father and grandfather went and saw together, grampa was a mechanic in the usaaf, crew chief on a b26 bomber he hated patton, everytime he got too far ahead they had to send in the bombers to get shot up
You are so tenacious, so thorough in your research and presentations, that I have come to fully trust your assessment of any historical topic or movie over the years. I don’t think our political leanings quite align. It doesn’t really matter. You serve the quest for truth more than any political affiliation, which gives your films such gravitas. Keep up the good work with both your studies and you UA-cam channel.
Enjoyed your comments on the movie, one of my favorites. I will never forget seeing it for the first time, as a 9-10 year old Army brat, where my Dad was stationed at Baumholder in Germany. My Mom would give me money take my younger sister to watch matinees at the base theater, which seemed like a long hike from our housing to the theater. Funny to think watching as it was rated GP, which was "All ages admitted - Parental guidance suggested. [Sometimes a disclaimer would say "This film contains material which may not be suitable for pre-teenagers"]" So glad we weren't turned away! I remember being enthralled with the movie, and being impressed with the heroics involved in the story, the violence kind of went over my head at that age. It solidified my love with the military, which led me to join the Air Force. My Dad, just coming back from two tours in Vietnam before we went to Germany, wouldn't sign for me to join the Army or Marines when I signed up for Delayed Enlistment in high school, just turning 17. What a neat note to learn that you're related to General Patton, a heritage to be proud of, no matter how distant the relationship!
Patton was Patton, he loved and lived military. He had one thing in mind, he had a destiny which drove him to the brink of insanity, but thanks to WWII he excelled to brilliancy. He drove the victory in WWII, despite some contraversy.
An episode of Young Indiana Jones shows Indy meeting Pancho Villa. At first young Indy is taken prisoner by some Mexican rebels who intend to shoot their prisoners. Then Pancho Villa arrives on the scene, starts berating his men for what they have become. Then he frees the prisoners and some Mexican rebel whispers to Indy: ah, the boss is in one of his emotional moods (informing us that Villa probably usually had no problem with having prisoners shot). After traveling along with Villa for some time, Indy and a few Mexican friends visit a local town's bar. There they spot an arrogant American officer who is toasting to the US of A: "God Bless America. And death to all its enemies… Especially that low-life of a Pancho Villa..." One of Indy's Mexican rebel friends takes exception, draws his revolver but before he can shoot, Patton shoots him dead. Indy and his friends hurriedly leave the scene.
*Johnny Dominguez* I think that depiction in Young Indiana Jones was meant as a parody, a charicature. It was also in shot in a saloon setting so young Patton became the stranger that had just arrived in town, ready to pick a fight.
This is also one of my favorite films. It is a great character study. There things that I really mis in the film - but not necessary also. I really wish they could have the Battle of Arracourt in the film - it was one, of not the biggest, the biggest real tank on tank battles in the ETO - and tank warfare is what Patton’s speciality. However I don’t see how it would really help the picture. But it is kind of jarring to jump from the Battle of the Bulge to the end of the war. FYI on a historical note - my Dad was captured in the Battle of the Bulge. However he was liberated by Patton’s Army - he was so happy, he said back then he was going to name his 1st born son after Patton. Well that part never happened - because - I was n’t born until the tail end of the baby boom. It was only after I was the film, in the theaters, and started reading every book I could on Patton - he told me that bit of information. He was not one to talk about his time fighting in the ETO. I found out much later in my life about a few very ugly incidents durning his time fighting - so I totally understood why. However as something me with a great interest in history - especially WW2 - I sure wish he could have told me more about his experiences in WW2.
One of the greatest things I ever heard about this movie was a story my uncle told me. He went to see the movie and saw a line of excited hippies waiting to get in. He said even the hippies wanted to be like General Patton.
Very cool video! Good job, dude. The one thing I would disagree with you on is the battlefield aftermath scene. I always to the: "God help me, I love it so!" as something of a regret. I think he deeply loved being a soldier and a general in command of troops in combat, but seeing the devastation it rot on them, he felt very conflicted with himself in that moment. At least, that's how I think it fits in with the theme of the character in the movie. He didn't love the death, he loved the work and regretted the death it inevitably caused. There's the saying: "To be a good soldier you must love the Army. To be a good commander, you must be willing to order the death of the thing you love." That was my take on it anyway.
I'm so glad I found your channel young man. I think you did a really good job explaining this movie. Your connection to the family just makes it more personal and ironic at the same time. Just like life is. Messy, depressing, glorious, flawed, amzing, beautiful, stinky, and so on. I think it's one of the great movies and especially if you take into account when it was made and what was going on in the country. I look forward to watching much more of your content.
I'd be curious as to how you classify Amadeus as fiction or bad history (yes it's based on Pushkin play, but that play was based on Salieri claiming after his breakdown that he did kill Mozart) as it's certainty not a bad movie. Amadeus is definitely the director using the history to explore the themes of genius, envy and the creative process.
Well done, sir! You have your job with humor and accuracy. I especially enjoyed your laying your cards on the table at the end of the presentation. Thank you!
This was really good. As someone who likes history, learning more about the military, and having listened to the Patton them off and on for three years at 0600, I definitely appreciate your breakdown on this subject. You just got a new subscriber, too.
General Patton also created one of the last fencing styles for fighting with sabers. Unlike the previous styles where you slashed with the blade, his saber was designed to stab with the point, so his fighting style emphasized that.
My Dad was obsessed with this movie and so was my mother because she is and I am somehow related to George Patton (in some genetically insignificant way). Long before the days of Amazon Prime, once a year this movie would play on TBS and the whole family would be glued to the tv.
My grandfather was a tank commander in the 2nd Armored Div. (he was in North Africa, Sicily, France and was eventually wounded pre-Rhine campaign) from what my Uncle Buddy(a wild SoB himself) said he once was ambushed while going through a pass and Patton jumped in his tank and took out a flask of whiskey took a sip and handed it to my grandfather. My grandfather took a sip and was about to hand it to one of his fellow tankers when Patton grabbed the flask out of his hand and told him to “offer his own before mine”
I was mad at first when I saw you in uniform. That went away, when I realized you were actually a veteran. This was a great video and I think your take on Patton the man and the film were spot on. I appreciate your diligence. It is one of my favorite movies as well.
@@CynicalHistorian About 27:06 Whether the incident happened or not ( I know there was a reported exchange between Zhukov and Patton during a post-war military parade), or is based on any particular incident, I don't know, but in the movie the translator definitely refers to "General Katkov" ["real" spelling Katukov] ua-cam.com/video/VW5TWYbgMGQ/v-deo.html There was a real General Mikhail Katukov, also an armor commander, so it makes sense.
Awesome video as always, big fan of your channel and of the movie. I do have a question, perhaps you can point me to some references. You mentioned in this episode and another episode about the best "Based on a True Story." Actually, every time you've mentioned the movie Patton, you've credit Francis Ford Coppola as the director or "unofficial" director. For what it's worth, I'm an amateur film historian and have been intrigued by this from the moment you spoke of this. I have been unsuccessful to dig up anything that would even remotely suggest this. Nobody that was tied to production made this claim, nobody connected to the film either. Not even Coppola himself, during the life or after the death of Franklin J. Schaffner, has ever alluded to having a hand in production other than the initial rejection of his script that you've mentioned. I can't find one production picture that featured Coppola. Not even sure if he was on the set. It's common practice then (a little more lenient now, but still...) that writers were paid and that was that, rarely are writers present during production. Anything to steer me to the correct info would greatly be appreciated. Please understand, I think the script is astounding, it's so well written that I wish, hope, this to be true. That being said, Franklin Schaffner was no slouch. Coming off the highly successful Planet of the Apes, years of TV experiences, made Nicholas and Alexandra, Papillon, The Boys from Brazil, all with Oscar nods. (No angry moth voices please, LOL) Not here defend him or his body of work, just looking for historical facts to help me legitimize handing the director credit to Coppola. Thanks.
I was a Senior in H.S. in 1970. When I saw that Patton was playing in Dallas, I got in my Volkswagen Beetle and drove the approximate 40 miles from where I lived, to see it. I still remember that to this day. Thanks for the information..!!
Loved this review. Obviously one of my favorite movies, and favorite generals of all time. You’ve earned a sub. Awesome that you share the mans name! Thank you for your service.
"Patton" was a combination of fact and legend. It overlooked the general's blunders, namely the "Task Force Baum" calamity. The biggest mistelling in the movie was his alleged rivalry with Field Marshall Montgomery. It was Omar Bradley who despised Montgomery, namely for taking part of his army during the Market Garden campaign. Patton didn't care for British Generals, but neither did most American officers. In fact, Patton got on with Montgomery as well as any American officer and better than a lot of English generals. Monty, had an I don't give a damn attitude that rubbed many of his peers, British and American the wrong way. However, Bradley never forgave Eisenhower or Montgomery for taking two of his divisions from him. When Patton died suddenly soon after the fighting in Europe had stopped, his diary was stolen and published in the press. In the diary, Patton was very critical of Omar Bradley. Bradley felt betrayed by Patton's lack of gratitude for helping Patton when he was in Ike's doghouse. Of course, Bradley was the principal technical advisor on the film. The movie could have just as rightly been called "Bradley". One last great misrepresentation of "Patton" was the Patton was the one general the German's feared most, myth There is simply no evidence that is true. In short, "Patton", a good movie but average history.
Hi Cypher Thanks So Much For Making This Video My Great Uncle Fought During WW2 North Africa D-day And Western Europe He Was Also General Patton's Chef
If your great-uncle was the lead cook, Patton liked him, even wrote letters about how good the cooking was. He also fined your great-uncle a couple of times. That guy being fined in the video was a actually a depiction of him
I just love your intro, really cracked me up! This was a film that I saw in my early-to-mid teens and my God has it aged SO well! That being said, I also agree with you about how Hollywood needs to "choose its battles" more properly when portraying a certain subject onscreen and consult its existing historical sources with the very best of humanly possible care and meticulous attention without resorting to tiresome fictionalized contrivance (unless it happens to be actual historical fiction to begin with, and even THAT acquires attention to detail and not going overboard in suspension of disbelief!), while at the same time not losing either its focus or audience interest. The ones that manage that balance with the barest minimum of inaccuracies or liberties taken while still being stand-alone cinematic masterpieces happen to be far fewer and further in between than the surviving soldiers storming the beaches of Normandy on D-Day.
My grandfather was the Sergent of Test Battery A of the 82nd Airborne. He went from the 82nd 456th to the 101st 463rd. He has a couple stories about Patton. The first is when my grandfather was in the artillery in the Iowa National Guard. He refused orders in a training operation in Louisiana and later Patton got him out of trouble. The second story comes when Patton wanted the 456th artillery with him on his race with Montgomery in Sicily. While in Hormel Belgium, my grandfather linked up with Patton in the coldest winter he ever had been in. Let me know if you if you would like to hear details.
Why hasn't there been a recent ww2 movie about general Patton? He was ten times better than that dummy Eisenhower who got all the credit when he deserved none.
Great video, it's one of my favorite war films as well. Though I will say that you slightly made it sound like the Bonus Marchers incident was solely Pattons doings. He played a role but I blame Douglas McArther quite a bit for that. I might be a bit bias I admit. Had a great grandfather that might have been one of the marchers, and a grandfather who fought in the Philippines. Neither were big fans of MacArthur.
I blame POTUS Hoover, rather than anybody commanding, but Patton brought tanks without orders. I'll be going into more depth in November in a couple episodes on veterans history
@@CynicalHistorian Ah that would be wonderful. It's a somewhat forgotten part of American history and not a particularly proud one at that. I can see Hoover being at fault since he was president. Though MacArthur did defie orders from Hoover and kept attacking because he said the marchers were trying to overthrow the government for communism. Ah well keep it up, this video was high quality indeed.
Hoover and MacArthur, definitely. Patton was a subordinate, though as you say, he exceeded his orders. One of the leaders of the Bonus Army was a man who'd served with Patton in World War I, Joe Angelo, and indeed had saved his life, for which he'd received the DSC. This was not one of Patton's, or the US Army's finest moments. Getting MacArthur the heck out of Washington, D.C., in the 1930s (with a plum assignment as Field Marshal of the Philippines) was one of FDR's best moves.
@@crimfan Everything about FDRs response was superior when the incident happened again. He sent Eleanor and gave them jobs in the New Deal, plus Congress just gave them the bonus. One marchers priceless comment was, "Hoover sent the army, Roosevelt sent his wife."
Great review! I saw the movie as a kid and obsessed over it for years. While I was a college student, my sister was accepted to West Point. She sent me every book she could get her hands on at the bookstore there....thePatton Papers and many others. I hate the conspiracy stuff that has been presented by some authors such as”The Unknown Patton” and “Killing Patton” to name a few. Great job!!
Good video, and I didn't know you where a distant relative of Patton himself. That's amazing! You should be proud. I have a suggestion, you should do a video on schindler's list it's one of my personal favorites. It's gonna have a re release in theatres in December. So I think it's fitting to do a historical review of it. I know you mentioned it in another genocide film you did hotel Rwanda.
I'm from Iran and I even didn't know Gen. Patton before watching this movie. But now it's actually one of the best Hollywood movies of that era that I've ever seen.
Wait, you were a tanker? I NEVER KNEW THAT! Thanks for your service! My great-grandfather was a tanker in the Italian Campaign, though, it's hard to find stuff on the 755th tank battalion. Anyways, thank you.
My favorite story relating to the movie Patton . Jack Nicolson who was nominated for a Best Actor award against George C Scott that year, said in a interview, "I knew Scott was going to win Best Actor as soon as I saw the opening scene in front of the Flag. Hell the movie could have just been that scene and Scott would have won."
What an outstanding tribute to our common ancestor!! I wonder how we are related? The only real inaccuracy is brought out in Porter B. Williamson's book Patton's Principles. He was his personal aide and lived with the general and says at no time did he ever express a belief in reincarnation. A Most excellent production!!!
10:36 I think this understates his incredible decision making here. What he actually did was before receiving any commands, having seen the battlefield situation developing, covertly began sending his his supplies towards the 101st since he knew they were going to need to be relieved. This was iirc technically insubordination since he had not been ordered to yet and Eisenhower had not yet decided or realized the severity. This resulted in when Eisenhower did make the order Patton’s forces were able to mobilize faster than anyone at main command expected, since he had already been planning on the command days before it came.
So my great grandfather served in Mexico with Patton. He was from the Ohio reserves not the regular army, but in my imagination, in ww2, when he sent off his sons to fight and die, he was proud of that young cavalry officer he served with. Thank you for this review.
REVIEW SUGGESTION: Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. William Goldman claimed that he wrote this because he personally loved the source material and felt it was a story that needed telling (or something to that effect). It is my understanding that William Goldman believed he was writing an entertaining, but mostly honest story of real events. I am not only interested in how accurate is the movie to the available evidence, but how accurate the movie is in light of it being written by someone who admits that he is just a writer. My hypothesis is that an analysis of this movie may shed light on Hollywood's ability to make accurate movies, given that the writer was personally motivated to get it right.
The best part of this movie is his voice. George C Scott had a tough gravely voice but George Patton has a mousy voice. Imagine Patton giving that speech with a shy mousy voice? It would’ve been hilarious. I don’t know how those soldiers didn’t start laughing. Oh shit he mentioned it about the voice. That’s awesome he covered this.
I'd like to see a biopic about General Joseph Stilwell. But it probably won't happen, because he wasn't a self-dramatizer, like Patton, MacArthur and others. And, well, he's a sensitive topic in China. Not sure what the current regime's position on him is, though.
Indeed - a fascinating, complex military figure. If anyone's interested, Barbara Tuchman's "Stilwell and the American Experience in China: 1911-1945" is tremendous.
He is one of the extraordinary leaders in David Rooneys history book "Military Mavericks". Which was where a European like me came aware of him. And there are characters like Alexander the Great, Shaka Zulu, Garibaldi, Stonewall Jackson, Guderian, Patton, Wingate and Giap! Nice book, if you don't know much about those guys. Stilwell had very interesting views according to it. AFAIK there is a statue for him in China. He was a real fan of China and was even for a cooperation with Mao' s communists against Japan, and he disliked Chiang Kai-shek, so they should think high of him.
The first unit, I served in after AIT was as a medic in 1976 with the 15th C.S.H known as 15th Evacuation Hospital during WWII. This was one of the field hospital where the Patton slapping incident happened. I see you're also was a member of 11th ACR. I was assigned as a medic with Regimental Surgeon Office HHT, 11th ACR from 1979 to 1982 in Fulda, FRG on boarder duty. After Fulda, I left the service and attended College at UCONN received my degree and returned to the Army as an officer. Retiring in 2001. Great video. Great movie. Viewed it many times on the Big Screen and it home.
I think the thing that shocked me out of my mind was that poem Patton wrote, I can’t imagine any general writing something that wonderful insightful and genius, but he did. Read it. Part of it is in this movie.
Can the "dress sabers" that soldier's wear imwhile in dress uniform , could they be used as actual weapons ie carbon steel not stainless steel and sharp and so on .well could it just want to know just in case a zombie apocalypse happens
it's rather pointy at the tip, but not sharp in the slightest elsewhere. My ceremonial saber would only be able to be used as a bludgeon. A bat would be a more effective weapon, though I have used the scabbard on a number of occasions to kill spiders hiding in the corners of ceilings
the donkey killing scene was the most powerful moment and turning point in the movie for me. Beginning as a comedic scene then abruptly ending with the killing and dumping just startled me and was unexpected. Watching the grief and bewilderment of the owner made me realize what an asshole and horrible person Patton was. He was basically doing the same thing to his own men. Absolutely no empathy for something that could of been fixed in a matter of minutes with some patience. From that point in the movie, I no longer saw patton as the misunderstood anti hero. I saw him as the villain.
General Patton is always better than Specific Patton.
I'll show myself out...
That was funny, as shown by all the likes.
Better than Common Patton. This way? Right?
its ok you can come back
you sir, DESERVE to be slapped by a general.
I think the top of the list is Distinct Patton... alright let me get the noose
One of my professors was a US Army officer in the early 70s. While at Fort Knox, he - a young 2LT - found himself being chewed out by Lt. Gen. George S. Patton IV. While the general ranted and raved, my friend started to smirk. "What are you smiling at, Second Lieutenant?," he asked, emphasizing his supremely junior rank? My friend replied "The Irony, sir. 35 years ago, your father chewed out my father, a field artillery master sergeant." Patton's jaw dropped, and he totally forgot the subject of their talk. Afterwards, the general called my friend by his first name.
Lol. Guess the old saying is true. Like father, like son.
LOL, Once again Americans show they don't know the difference between irony and coincidence ;)
Remember, those are my friend's words, not mine.
You said your professor in college.
Ulric Kessler ,, his prof. can't be a friend?
People aren’t taught that WW2 was a war of amateurs. The prewar Army was tiny. Professional soldiers were a small minority of those who served. Most professional soldiers stayed in CONUS and trained volunteers and draftees. The ones overseas were more often staff and logistics officers. Pros in combat like Patton were a rarity.
Professionals could be found in the remainings of invaded countries (Poland, Dutch, French free forces). These were very few in numbers, but very determind and for most of those professional soldier, or simply soldiers that at least had fought for the better part of 2 years before the US even became involved. This can explain how they stood up to German forces even when heavily outnumbered like at El Alamein or Bir Hakeim.
It could be argued that all wars are wars of amateurs, especially those with large scale conscription
Sawyer Northrop well not all wars, this is for instance how the Roman army was so terribly efficient : often years of training before seeing an actual battle, with units ranked by experience each having specific roles. But i agree that most wars were fought by levies and conscripts.
My grandpa was one of the few. Trained at Valley Forge from a child. Second generation war hero. Silver star for both father and son I believe. Great grandpa Purple Heart but anyone can get that.
Ok third generation involved in active war.
So he was extremely ready and able to wipe out and was great when it was dark as he was color blind and somehow that helped him sort out enemy from friend and camo was easier for him to spot out.
His set of traits were bred specifically for the army. Tall, shoulders so wide you’d think he’s two people, size 12.5 shoes, 6 ft1 inches. Strong as an ox. Catcher who could’ve gone pro until he was called up to do his duty. I’m not sure if going to valley forge meant you were going to war? Or if he just wanted to do his duty. Whatever it was he served like a hero. . RIP Pop Pop.
@@Cancoillotteman .....or WWII Japan
Eisenhower was already pissed at Patton before the slapping incident. When the Patton invaded Sicily he had his troops so keyed up to shoot anything that moved they ended up shooting down the US Air Support in the worst case of American Friendly fire in all of WW2 and Eisenhower held Patton personally responsible for this. The slapping incident was just the straw that broke the Camels back. (Source The Second World War: Antony Beevor) Edited: To provide source.
Worried Ben Carmine: Uuuh, friendly fire?
Terry Allen thought of Patton as a millstone tied to everyone else, Teddy Roosevelt Jr seems to also have something against him too... He must have been difficult to operate alongside.
It's is wrong that found this funny
much of the fire actually came from naval ships conducting the invasion.
I thought the worse case of friendly fire happened during that night time training exercise along the British coast with casualties among both British and American personnel. Not only was there friendly fire, but apparently a group of German Z boats came in and started torping the ships that were participating in the training. I think this was for a possible night time landing for D day I think, or it had happened just before dawn can't remember exactly the specifics of it all.
Interesting fact: One throw-away detail in the film shows Patton reading a book entitled A History of the Norman Conquests, as he was being flown into Normandy along with all the other "Spare Parts." The fact is, he really was reading that book, researching where all the ancient Roman roads in Northern France were so he could use them for his tanks. They were the only roads capable of allowing him to run the tanks at full speed and they were used as his line of advance, which explains why he was able to move so far and so fast the Germans couldn't stop him.
Interesting. Even in 1963 when I arrived in the UK as a graduate student in geography, UK roads could not support tanks. The rural roads were too narrow and not strong enough to support them. British roads were the best obstacle to invasion.
Amazing that roman roads held up with tanks driving over them thousands of years after being built. Probably overlooked by the Germans too who'd be focusing on the modern roads
Very good tidbit from the movie
@@user-xg8yy7yl1d Actually, considering the engineering the Romans put into their roads, which was advanced even by modern standards, it's not too surprising. Patton's skill as a historian made him the general he was. Why do you think the phrase "All roads lead to Rome" is more than just a stock phrase. They were renown for their engineering skill.
@@Skyking67832 Few people realize that Roman roads of the time were Asphalt over stone foundations. They were for smoother chariot rides. And at the height of the empire, relatively well maintained. (Until the Crazy Emperors took over, and raided the coffers. )
That acting is so good, “Rommel you magnificent bastard I READ YA BOOK!!” Had me laughing too hard, he fits it really well
I'll finish this epic video by the end of the week. Happy birthday!
mr breast can u give me money
@@alcatraz1018 that's not Mr Beast
@@leannefresquez3490 It's a joke, whenever you see a Mr. Beat comment you also respond to it with that.
@@alcatraz1018 I see
instablaster.
From a narrative perspective I liked how they handled Eisenhower. The fact that we never see him combined with the way they always talk about him honestly reminds me of how people talk about God, which I imagine isn't too far off the mark for the time.
Along those lines, Patton would refer to Ike in his (known to be censored) mail to his wife as "Divine Destiny." As in, "if Devine Destiny grants my wish," etc. Obviously, this comes from Ike's given names, "Dwight David."
Interesting take.
Not american. Eisenhower was so respected that some politician asked him to (coup) run for president again. He denied. Many american generals were honorable men. American have greatest military system with people putting their country first.
Not like Bush American.
I’ve never met a WW2 combat vet who liked the term “the good war’’.
@LTrain 45 Wow that is more badass.
a good war whouldnt end with halve a continet enslaved to ´´unitopian´´ dictators with a need for controle
@LTrain 45 Russian, or more correctly, Soviet losses in WW2 were about 20 million.
@@timvanrijn8239 They should have let Patton go after them. We could have avoided the cold war if he did so. It would have been bloody, but maybe not as bloody as communism during the rest of the 20th century ended up being.
Instead he was killed because he knew too much and didn't conform to the globalists.
@@NormanMStewart One of my uncles was in an US Army unit that over ran a death camp. He would only say that they helped liberate it and would talk no further of it.
He went to college, graduated, married, had a successful career and loving family but of some of his life he would not talk of.
Not enough bling on that uniform, that facial hair is problematic, your cover was off-center, and how can you even see without your issued BCG's? Drop down and push that floor until I'm tired!
I fear if his distant relative who this video is about would fine him or want to have to shot or something
He's a soldier! 20 dollar fine!
and don't forget to POLICE THAT MUSTACHE! COMPLY WITH THE GROOMING STANDARD!
That reminds me: you could review Generation Kill from 2008 about the Iraq War.
+Garret LeBuis
It's not even the correct form of uniform... Patton (in th Movie scene with the flag and fanfare) wore his parade dress ... not creased BDUs...
Feno 3000 ACUs, not BDUs. Also, you're not supposed to press your ACU, or MCCUs for that matter, all of the successors to the BDU are supposed to be wash and wear, so no more starching the hell out of them and pressing them until they can stand up on their own.
My grandfather was a S/Sgt leading a squad for the 8th Inf. Rgt. Intelligence and Reconnaissance Platoon during WWII who never really cared for films or TV. My Father remembers him storming out of a theater watching some war movie in the '50s angrily shouting, "That's not how war is!" and never saw another movie. Or he would have, until the movie Patton. Grandpa had served with the 4th Infantry Division since 1940(back when it was a motorized division) and was there for the Louisiana Maneuvers with Patton and admired his style. As far as Grandpa was concerned, this was the one movie he saw that got it right.
Would like to see what your grandpa would have thought of Saving Private Ryan...
The reason that Patton enforced uniform code was to create discipline. My dad, 6th Armored, was in dirty grease stained tanker overalls. He hadn't shaved in a week or so. He was riding a liberated French bike, out scrounging for food. General Patton came rolling up the road in a M4 Sherman. From the German end of the road! His tank was painted gloss OD. His stars prominently displayed on the front. My Dad fully expected a loud reprimand. Instead General Patton asked where his CO was. Dad told him. The General asked why they were stopped. Dad explained the German's held the next village and they were waiting for orders. The General barked back he had just came from from the village and there weren't any Germans in the village. Told my Dad to get his tanks fired up and ready to move! Five minutes later, orders came to move from a thoroughly chastised company commander. Yep, true story. The general loved his fighting troops.
Patton literally stole fuel for his troops and always right behind his troops. He loved and stick by his troops. Maybe that why they rekt through enemy line.
Patton last words was ARTILLERY ONLY
No it would be *tanks only*
@@Garhunt05 nah mate to easy for someone like him he liked a good challenge
@@bufu254 he liked a challenge but he is known for tanks. Also seizing territory with only tanks is very difficult
@@Garhunt05 well true and true
I know he said that we helped the wrong side win....
It blew my mind when I first heard Patton's voice.
Patton's voice: like hearing Mike Tyson or Bob Gibson speak. Oh, they all had grit, but the voice belies the, "don't mess with me," persona.
I had no idea Cypher served. I must sincerely thank you for your sacrifice, you and of those who have served.
Half ironically, recent research into General Marshall's papers produced a copy of a memo that Eisenhower sent to Patton around early '44 where Ike basically told Patton that if he messed up just ONE MORE TIME his career was OVER. In other words, before Patton had the chance to redeem himself in the Normandy breakout, he came as close as he could to ruin without crossing the line. This fact also makes one wonder just how much Eisenhower went to bat for Patton. Maybe he did and the real reason Patton was given that one last chance was because Eisenhower fought for him - but perhaps not.
That said, It is true that Patton was indirectly responsible for helping save and then make Eisenhower's career. In the '20s Ike came perilously close to being thrown out of the army on an accusation of committing fraud (he tried to get a housing supplement to his income he actually did not deserve). Part of the reason he dodged that bullet was being moved out of his current assignment with Patton helping Ike get connected with Fox Conner, an older, skilled soldier who arguably became Ike's greatest mentor. Conner took a real interest in Eisenhower and helped to teach him the skills that allowed Ike to turn around and ace the Command and Staff college (Patton also apparently helped by giving him his old notes) - which was when Eisenhower's career really began to takeoff.
So, Ike clearly owed Patton a debt, so I am inclined to think he really did go to bat for him, but perhaps more research will make this matter clear.
Eisenhower was more politician than soldier. Provide Patton and Eisenhower identical opposing forces. Eisenhower would be tarred and feathered.
John Rodrigues Eisenhower’s job WAS effectively to be a politician and strategic mind. However, while Patton was certainly better on the tactical and perhaps operational level, I submit that Eisenhower would have been far better in Patton’s job than vice versa. Don’t dis Eisenhower- he was in charge of the western allies and they did win.
@@Ranillon look at the Battle of the Bulge. Patton advocated driving across the base of the Bulge. This would have trapped over 100000 Germans. Eisenhower elected to push them back to their lines. This was a gross tactical and strategic mistake.
@@Ranillon I stand by my statement
I had read only 3 books on Patton, Eisen and Mac Arthur.
It seems like Patton was one of the old blood who was respected by many at the time.
Daring and dependable with tendency to war monger. History would be different if he didnt died early. Most literature put him down as useful but hot head idiot. I doubt they dare write if he was alive.
In the book Panzer Commander: The Memoirs of Colonel Hans Von Luck. Von Luck say's Patton was known as the American Rommel. That is high praise from somebody that worked very closely with Rommel and revered him in the highest regard. I think this is important because there is a a myth that German soldiers didn't know who Patton even was. This may have been true on the Eastern Front but if they were on the Western Front they knew bloody damn well who old Blood and Gut's was.
I guess the celebrity of Patton amongst German ranks can explain partly why he was chosen for operation Fortitude : the best decoy is the shinest.
I’ve heard different sources from German records stating that German High Command had never heard of General Patton throughout the entire war
I'm pretty sure they had dossiers on all senior officers in opposing forces. Whether they were as obsessed with him as Americans like to think... no clue there.
Patton wasnt known, OKW had know real intel on minor generals. Hans Von Luck was just using Pattons fame as a way to sell his book.
Operation Fortitude succeeded because MI5 had spent years capturing and/or turning every German agent in Britain, so that every report received by the Germans from an agent within the UK had in fact been written by a British Intelligence agent, to provide an accurate enough picture of the hoax to not just tie up forces in the Pas de Calais, but 13 divisions in Norway.
YA BEARD IS OUT OF REG M8
Your moustache hairs is in violations of the grooming standard... POLICE THAT MOUSTACHE
@@igoralekseyev3347 moo-stache*
I have got the weirdest luck. You're distantly related to Ol' Blood and Guts, my Great Uncle William actually rode with him in the 3rd. Here's a little tidbit for you in regards to the movie, you remember that scene where he says to his dog, 'You're name's not William, it's Willie!' When I was a kid and watched the movie with him, he said that's exactly Patton said to him, word for word, when he got pulled to the side by him to reprimand him and he asked for my Great Uncle's name, lol! It really IS a small world!
Patton was one of the oddest and most contradictory generals in US history. Also, the most successful.
I thank you for your service, Cypher, both as a veteran and as a history buff.
What a plot twist towards the end of your review. 😂
While many movies mystify the protagonists, this one, together with your review, actually makes Patton looks like an average human-being no different from you and me.
I have not watched this movie before but guess I will do so after your review.
I think my favorite historian is you. Yes, you cypher, for obvious reasons. You really tell the truth and get into the grit. Amazing stuff .
My father met Patton during war games before WW2, he did not think to highly of Patton (that was an understatement)
My dad also was awarded a medal from him during the same wargames as well
Why didn't he think highly of him?
Here’s a list of movies I’d like you to review for historical accuracy:
1. The battle of Britain.
2. The longest day.
3. A bridge too far.
4. Black Hawk down.
5. The great escape.
6. Fury.
7. Midway. 1976
8. Glory.
Thanks
Robert Hitchman TORA! TORA! TORA!
We were soldiers, Generation kill, Band of brothers.
Hamburger Hill
BRIDGE TO FALL. Nail on the HEAD..Some incidents had to be compressed. Incident of the Sgt pulling his .45 spot on..
A "hearing" was convened in England a few weeks (2?) after failed Market Gardens..all charges were dropped aganist the Sgt. According to the text A BRIDGE TO FAR..the doctor talked to the Sgt & asked him; "..would u have shot me?" The Sgt stood straight & tall, saluted the Doctor rotating on his feet & left the Hearing room
The Lt (Captain?) Woke up in a hospital in England about a few days later witg just a headache
Well 3 , 4 and 5 took huge liberties with the truth to be able to sell to an American audience
That reveal, tho.
My Father taught me at a young age that War is a Racket, Coming from an Army Air Corps/ Air Force Lifer, Spec Ops Medic, I took him at his word!
Your Grandfather married into the Los Angeles Young family? Holy crap man! You and I are distantly related. It is a small world.
Interesting. Didn't think we spread out that much, especially when Joe Jr. and Great Uncle Lee died childless
"un-omits" I shall use it. It shall be mine. It's a thing a now. I just hit the edit button to add, this is a great video. I've watched several of your videos. Like all lovers of history, sometimes I'm cheering you on, and sometimes I'm screaming at the screen. That's why I keep coming back. I enjoyed this video, not because I agree or disagree (cause really, who cares lol) but its pacing is teaching some things which isn't easy in my 40's! I admit, however, the content doesn't hurt either. I mean, come on, it's Patton! Not that your hurting for subs, but you earned another one today. Great video! Looking forward to the next video!
I visited General Patton's grave in Luxembourg on Memorial Day 1992. I was surprised with just how simple it was. What distinguished it from the rest at the American Cemetery was that his Marker was facing the rest of the interred soldiers there as if he were at eternal inspection of the troops. I also got to stay at the Patton Hotel in Garmisch(?) Germany during Christmas. Being an Air Force Brat gave me a lot of opportunities to see a lot of things in Europe between '88 and '92.
Funny enough the French loved Patton so much they offered to bury him in the same tomb as Napoleon. But it was decided that the best place for him was with his men.
Love your review. Thank you. I served under Col. Patton commander of the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment (Blackhorse) in Vietnam 1968-1969. Instantly recognized your shoulder patch of course. Saw this movie after returning from Vietnam while intoxicated, which I was a lot for those first few years back due to PTSD. Loved it because of the honest way it was made and the way the general was portrayed. Took me a while in Vietnam but I understood better afterward why Patton Jr. (not official designation) was so strict. He rode over our deployment to the field column of armor handing out article 15's for lack of helmets or flack jackets unzipped. I saw on a later mission a man on a the vehicle in front of me die because his flack jacket was unzipped. Later yet (in 1995) I returned to Vietnam and in our group of vets was a Cav vet who had a private talk with the colonel due to being assessed an article 15 for a loose M-16 observed on his vehicle. Colonel Patton showed him the famous pearl handled revolver of his father's and treated him as a son. Good work!
I suppose that would make us distant relations, also. Duane Patton, my grandfather's brother, served in 3rd Army as a medic. He landed at Le Harve in December of 1944, and served in the 1252nd Medical Detachment.
patton was the only movie that both my father and grandfather went and saw together,
grampa was a mechanic in the usaaf, crew chief on a b26 bomber
he hated patton,
everytime he got too far ahead they had to send in the bombers to get shot up
Well I'm at least glad you took the time to watch it. And WHOO! Shoutout for the Inspector!
wow my image of Patton has been forever changed after hearing his real voice. G.C.S. really warped our preception
You are so tenacious, so thorough in your research and presentations, that I have come to fully trust your assessment of any historical topic or movie over the years. I don’t think our political leanings quite align. It doesn’t really matter. You serve the quest for truth more than any political affiliation, which gives your films such gravitas. Keep up the good work with both your studies and you UA-cam channel.
Thank you for your service. I did my basic training at Ft. Knox back in 1982 C-18-4 hardcore.
Patton is a hell of a movie!!!
Review the counterpart movie, Tora, Tora, Tora (1970)
Enjoyed your comments on the movie, one of my favorites. I will never forget seeing it for the first time, as a 9-10 year old Army brat, where my Dad was stationed at Baumholder in Germany. My Mom would give me money take my younger sister to watch matinees at the base theater, which seemed like a long hike from our housing to the theater. Funny to think watching as it was rated GP, which was "All ages admitted - Parental guidance suggested. [Sometimes a disclaimer would say "This film contains material which may not be suitable for pre-teenagers"]" So glad we weren't turned away! I remember being enthralled with the movie, and being impressed with the heroics involved in the story, the violence kind of went over my head at that age. It solidified my love with the military, which led me to join the Air Force. My Dad, just coming back from two tours in Vietnam before we went to Germany, wouldn't sign for me to join the Army or Marines when I signed up for Delayed Enlistment in high school, just turning 17.
What a neat note to learn that you're related to General Patton, a heritage to be proud of, no matter how distant the relationship!
Patton was Patton, he loved and lived military. He had one thing in mind, he had a destiny which drove him to the brink of insanity, but thanks to WWII he excelled to brilliancy. He drove the victory in WWII, despite some contraversy.
I think it would be interesting to see the Pancho Villa campaign, to my knowledge there are no movies that show this history
An episode of Young Indiana Jones shows Indy meeting Pancho Villa. At first young Indy is taken prisoner by some Mexican rebels who intend to shoot their prisoners. Then Pancho Villa arrives on the scene, starts berating his men for what they have become. Then he frees the prisoners and some Mexican rebel whispers to Indy: ah, the boss is in one of his emotional moods (informing us that Villa probably usually had no problem with having prisoners shot). After traveling along with Villa for some time, Indy and a few Mexican friends visit a local town's bar. There they spot an arrogant American officer who is toasting to the US of A: "God Bless America. And death to all its enemies… Especially that low-life of a Pancho Villa..." One of Indy's Mexican rebel friends takes exception, draws his revolver but before he can shoot, Patton shoots him dead. Indy and his friends hurriedly leave the scene.
*Johnny Dominguez* I think that depiction in Young Indiana Jones was meant as a parody, a charicature. It was also in shot in a saloon setting so young Patton became the stranger that had just arrived in town, ready to pick a fight.
This is also one of my favorite films. It is a great character study. There things that I really mis in the film - but not necessary also. I really wish they could have the Battle of Arracourt in the film - it was one, of not the biggest, the biggest real tank on tank battles in the ETO - and tank warfare is what Patton’s speciality. However I don’t see how it would really help the picture. But it is kind of jarring to jump from the Battle of the Bulge to the end of the war.
FYI on a historical note - my Dad was captured in the Battle of the Bulge. However he was liberated by Patton’s Army - he was so happy, he said back then he was going to name his 1st born son after Patton. Well that part never happened - because - I was n’t born until the tail end of the baby boom. It was only after I was the film, in the theaters, and started reading every book I could on Patton - he told me that bit of information. He was not one to talk about his time fighting in the ETO. I found out much later in my life about a few very ugly incidents durning his time fighting - so I totally understood why. However as something me with a great interest in history - especially WW2 - I sure wish he could have told me more about his experiences in WW2.
One of the greatest things I ever heard about this movie was a story my uncle told me.
He went to see the movie and saw a line of excited hippies waiting to get in.
He said even the hippies wanted to be like General Patton.
"Our Blood, His Guts"
Jeeze, story of alot of soldiers out there.
OK, so we need to have a drinking game for the movie Patton. You have to down your beer every time Monty, Ike, or Rommel is mentioned.
Drunk just thinking of it
Very cool video! Good job, dude. The one thing I would disagree with you on is the battlefield aftermath scene. I always to the: "God help me, I love it so!" as something of a regret. I think he deeply loved being a soldier and a general in command of troops in combat, but seeing the devastation it rot on them, he felt very conflicted with himself in that moment. At least, that's how I think it fits in with the theme of the character in the movie. He didn't love the death, he loved the work and regretted the death it inevitably caused. There's the saying: "To be a good soldier you must love the Army. To be a good commander, you must be willing to order the death of the thing you love." That was my take on it anyway.
And the E-4 Mafia produces one of the best Patton History vids on UA-cam. Well done, brother, well done!
I'm so glad I found your channel young man. I think you did a really good job explaining this movie. Your connection to the family just makes it more personal and ironic at the same time. Just like life is. Messy, depressing, glorious, flawed, amzing, beautiful, stinky, and so on. I think it's one of the great movies and especially if you take into account when it was made and what was going on in the country. I look forward to watching much more of your content.
I'd be curious as to how you classify Amadeus as fiction or bad history (yes it's based on Pushkin play, but that play was based on Salieri claiming after his breakdown that he did kill Mozart) as it's certainty not a bad movie. Amadeus is definitely the director using the history to explore the themes of genius, envy and the creative process.
"What do you think this is son, the French Foreign Legion!!! Shave that damn beard, stand up straight, twist my nipples! Do you get me!?!"
Well done, sir! You have your job with humor and accuracy. I especially enjoyed your laying your cards on the table at the end of the presentation. Thank you!
This was really good. As someone who likes history, learning more about the military, and having listened to the Patton them off and on for three years at 0600, I definitely appreciate your breakdown on this subject. You just got a new subscriber, too.
Another great video. From one history nerd to another it's much appreciated. Thank you for sharing your family history as well! Very cool!
General Patton also created one of the last fencing styles for fighting with sabers. Unlike the previous styles where you slashed with the blade, his saber was designed to stab with the point, so his fighting style emphasized that.
My Dad was obsessed with this movie and so was my mother because she is and I am somehow related to George Patton (in some genetically insignificant way). Long before the days of Amazon Prime, once a year this movie would play on TBS and the whole family would be glued to the tv.
This is your best work so far, CynicHist. You really do war movies great.
Have you ever thought of doing a collaboration with History Buffs?
I would love to hear the back and forth on a historical movie between him and you
I have spoken to veterans who served under Patton. I asked if George C. Scott got Patton the character right I was told yes
Cool!!
My grandfather was a tank commander in the 2nd Armored Div. (he was in North Africa, Sicily, France and was eventually wounded pre-Rhine campaign) from what my Uncle Buddy(a wild SoB himself) said he once was ambushed while going through a pass and Patton jumped in his tank and took out a flask of whiskey took a sip and handed it to my grandfather. My grandfather took a sip and was about to hand it to one of his fellow tankers when Patton grabbed the flask out of his hand and told him to “offer his own before mine”
I was mad at first when I saw you in uniform. That went away, when I realized you were actually a veteran. This was a great video and I think your take on Patton the man and the film were spot on. I appreciate your diligence. It is one of my favorite movies as well.
[Nit pick] In the movie, it's not Zhukov, it's Katukov. Great scene.
good of you to point it out. Could you time-stamp where I made that mistake?
@@CynicalHistorian About 27:06 Whether the incident happened or not ( I know there was a reported exchange between Zhukov and Patton during a post-war military parade), or is based on any particular incident, I don't know, but in the movie the translator definitely refers to "General Katkov" ["real" spelling Katukov] ua-cam.com/video/VW5TWYbgMGQ/v-deo.html There was a real General Mikhail Katukov, also an armor commander, so it makes sense.
As a bit of a newcomer to the channel, that ending was the greatest plot twist of all time
Awesome video as always, big fan of your channel and of the movie. I do have a question, perhaps you can point me to some references. You mentioned in this episode and another episode about the best "Based on a True Story." Actually, every time you've mentioned the movie Patton, you've credit Francis Ford Coppola as the director or "unofficial" director. For what it's worth, I'm an amateur film historian and have been intrigued by this from the moment you spoke of this. I have been unsuccessful to dig up anything that would even remotely suggest this. Nobody that was tied to production made this claim, nobody connected to the film either. Not even Coppola himself, during the life or after the death of Franklin J. Schaffner, has ever alluded to having a hand in production other than the initial rejection of his script that you've mentioned. I can't find one production picture that featured Coppola. Not even sure if he was on the set. It's common practice then (a little more lenient now, but still...) that writers were paid and that was that, rarely are writers present during production. Anything to steer me to the correct info would greatly be appreciated. Please understand, I think the script is astounding, it's so well written that I wish, hope, this to be true. That being said, Franklin Schaffner was no slouch. Coming off the highly successful Planet of the Apes, years of TV experiences, made Nicholas and Alexandra, Papillon, The Boys from Brazil, all with Oscar nods. (No angry moth voices please, LOL) Not here defend him or his body of work, just looking for historical facts to help me legitimize handing the director credit to Coppola. Thanks.
I was a Senior in H.S. in 1970. When I saw that Patton was playing in Dallas, I got in my Volkswagen Beetle and drove the approximate 40 miles from where I lived, to see it. I still remember that to this day. Thanks for the information..!!
"Go make fiction"
Exactly my reaction to _The Terror_
Glad you covered one of my favourite films about such a flawed but interesting character!
Loved this review. Obviously one of my favorite movies, and favorite generals of all time. You’ve earned a sub. Awesome that you share the mans name! Thank you for your service.
"Patton" was a combination of fact and legend. It overlooked the general's blunders, namely the "Task Force Baum" calamity. The biggest mistelling in the movie was his alleged rivalry with Field Marshall Montgomery. It was Omar Bradley who despised Montgomery, namely for taking part of his army during the Market Garden campaign. Patton didn't care for British Generals, but neither did most American officers. In fact, Patton got on with Montgomery as well as any American officer and better than a lot of English generals. Monty, had an I don't give a damn attitude that rubbed many of his peers, British and American the wrong way. However, Bradley never forgave Eisenhower or Montgomery for taking two of his divisions from him. When Patton died suddenly soon after the fighting in Europe had stopped, his diary was stolen and published in the press. In the diary, Patton was very critical of Omar Bradley. Bradley felt betrayed by Patton's lack of gratitude for helping Patton when he was in Ike's doghouse. Of course, Bradley was the principal technical advisor on the film. The movie could have just as rightly been called "Bradley". One last great misrepresentation of "Patton" was the Patton was the one general the German's feared most, myth There is simply no evidence that is true. In short, "Patton", a good movie but average history.
The Old Ironsides patch was the first I saw in basic. Never got one, but I did some high altitude training out there when I was with the 82d
Hi Cypher Thanks So Much For Making This Video My Great Uncle Fought During WW2 North Africa D-day And Western Europe He Was Also General Patton's Chef
If your great-uncle was the lead cook, Patton liked him, even wrote letters about how good the cooking was. He also fined your great-uncle a couple of times. That guy being fined in the video was a actually a depiction of him
I just love your intro, really cracked me up! This was a film that I saw in my early-to-mid teens and my God has it aged SO well! That being said, I also agree with you about how Hollywood needs to "choose its battles" more properly when portraying a certain subject onscreen and consult its existing historical sources with the very best of humanly possible care and meticulous attention without resorting to tiresome fictionalized contrivance (unless it happens to be actual historical fiction to begin with, and even THAT acquires attention to detail and not going overboard in suspension of disbelief!), while at the same time not losing either its focus or audience interest. The ones that manage that balance with the barest minimum of inaccuracies or liberties taken while still being stand-alone cinematic masterpieces happen to be far fewer and further in between than the surviving soldiers storming the beaches of Normandy on D-Day.
My grandfather was the Sergent of Test Battery A of the 82nd Airborne. He went from the 82nd 456th to the 101st 463rd. He has a couple stories about Patton. The first is when my grandfather was in the artillery in the Iowa National Guard. He refused orders in a training operation in Louisiana and later Patton got him out of trouble. The second story comes when Patton wanted the 456th artillery with him on his race with Montgomery in Sicily. While in Hormel Belgium, my grandfather linked up with Patton in the coldest winter he ever had been in.
Let me know if you if you would like to hear details.
Yes.
Why hasn't there been a recent ww2 movie about general Patton? He was ten times better than that dummy Eisenhower who got all the credit when he deserved none.
probably because nobody wants to try outperforming George C Scott's rendition
Robert Duvall played him in the '70's.."Ike:The War Years" and Tom Selleck played him in the '90's.
Great video, it's one of my favorite war films as well. Though I will say that you slightly made it sound like the Bonus Marchers incident was solely Pattons doings. He played a role but I blame Douglas McArther quite a bit for that. I might be a bit bias I admit. Had a great grandfather that might have been one of the marchers, and a grandfather who fought in the Philippines. Neither were big fans of MacArthur.
I blame POTUS Hoover, rather than anybody commanding, but Patton brought tanks without orders. I'll be going into more depth in November in a couple episodes on veterans history
@@CynicalHistorian Ah that would be wonderful. It's a somewhat forgotten part of American history and not a particularly proud one at that. I can see Hoover being at fault since he was president. Though MacArthur did defie orders from Hoover and kept attacking because he said the marchers were trying to overthrow the government for communism. Ah well keep it up, this video was high quality indeed.
Hoover and MacArthur, definitely. Patton was a subordinate, though as you say, he exceeded his orders. One of the leaders of the Bonus Army was a man who'd served with Patton in World War I, Joe Angelo, and indeed had saved his life, for which he'd received the DSC. This was not one of Patton's, or the US Army's finest moments.
Getting MacArthur the heck out of Washington, D.C., in the 1930s (with a plum assignment as Field Marshal of the Philippines) was one of FDR's best moves.
@@crimfan Everything about FDRs response was superior when the incident happened again. He sent Eleanor and gave them jobs in the New Deal, plus Congress just gave them the bonus. One marchers priceless comment was, "Hoover sent the army, Roosevelt sent his wife."
Yeah, Herbert Hoover is an example of how a highly competent technocrat frequently fails as a politician.
Great review! I saw the movie as a kid and obsessed over it for years. While I was a college student, my sister was accepted to West Point. She sent me every book she could get her hands on at the bookstore there....thePatton Papers and many others. I hate the conspiracy stuff that has been presented by some authors such as”The Unknown Patton” and “Killing Patton” to name a few. Great job!!
Good video, and I didn't know you where a distant relative of Patton himself. That's amazing! You should be proud. I have a suggestion, you should do a video on schindler's list it's one of my personal favorites. It's gonna have a re release in theatres in December. So I think it's fitting to do a historical review of it. I know you mentioned it in another genocide film you did hotel Rwanda.
This man is the physical representation of Soldier from TF2
UA-cam removing notifications again. had to click the bell again. so you know.
I'm from Iran and I even didn't know Gen. Patton before watching this movie.
But now it's actually one of the best Hollywood movies of that era that I've ever seen.
Wait, you were a tanker?
I NEVER KNEW THAT! Thanks for your service! My great-grandfather was a tanker in the Italian Campaign, though, it's hard to find stuff on the 755th tank battalion.
Anyways, thank you.
DUDE YOUR LAST NAME IS SUPER COOL!!
My favorite story relating to the movie Patton . Jack Nicolson who was nominated for a Best Actor award against George C Scott that year, said in a interview, "I knew Scott was going to win Best Actor as soon as I saw the opening scene in front of the Flag. Hell the movie could have just been that scene and Scott would have won."
You maybe as odd as Patton! Lol! That whistle walkout was a riot!
What an outstanding tribute to our common ancestor!! I wonder how we are related?
The only real inaccuracy is brought out in Porter B. Williamson's book Patton's Principles. He was his personal aide and lived with the general and says at no time did he ever express a belief in reincarnation.
A Most excellent production!!!
I loved this movie. Thanks for finally doing a review on it!
This was a fantastic trek through Patton. Love your videos.
10:36 I think this understates his incredible decision making here. What he actually did was before receiving any commands, having seen the battlefield situation developing, covertly began sending his his supplies towards the 101st since he knew they were going to need to be relieved. This was iirc technically insubordination since he had not been ordered to yet and Eisenhower had not yet decided or realized the severity. This resulted in when Eisenhower did make the order Patton’s forces were able to mobilize faster than anyone at main command expected, since he had already been planning on the command days before it came.
So my great grandfather served in Mexico with Patton. He was from the Ohio reserves not the regular army, but in my imagination, in ww2, when he sent off his sons to fight and die, he was proud of that young cavalry officer he served with.
Thank you for this review.
Conflicts of interest are usually declared before a presentation not after. It makes a difference.
'I feel sorry for our enemies, by God, l really do!' George S Patton.
REVIEW SUGGESTION: Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.
William Goldman claimed that he wrote this because he personally loved the source material and felt it was a story that needed telling (or something to that effect). It is my understanding that William Goldman believed he was writing an entertaining, but mostly honest story of real events. I am not only interested in how accurate is the movie to the available evidence, but how accurate the movie is in light of it being written by someone who admits that he is just a writer. My hypothesis is that an analysis of this movie may shed light on Hollywood's ability to make accurate movies, given that the writer was personally motivated to get it right.
The best part of this movie is his voice. George C Scott had a tough gravely voice but George Patton has a mousy voice. Imagine Patton giving that speech with a shy mousy voice? It would’ve been hilarious. I don’t know how those soldiers didn’t start laughing. Oh shit he mentioned it about the voice. That’s awesome he covered this.
I'd like to see a biopic about General Joseph Stilwell. But it probably won't happen, because he wasn't a self-dramatizer, like Patton, MacArthur and others. And, well, he's a sensitive topic in China. Not sure what the current regime's position on him is, though.
Indeed - a fascinating, complex military figure. If anyone's interested, Barbara Tuchman's "Stilwell and the American Experience in China: 1911-1945" is tremendous.
He is one of the extraordinary leaders in David Rooneys history book "Military Mavericks". Which was where a European like me came aware of him. And there are characters like Alexander the Great, Shaka Zulu, Garibaldi, Stonewall Jackson, Guderian, Patton, Wingate and Giap! Nice book, if you don't know much about those guys. Stilwell had very interesting views according to it. AFAIK there is a statue for him in China. He was a real fan of China and was even for a cooperation with Mao' s communists against Japan, and he disliked Chiang Kai-shek, so they should think high of him.
When you mimicked patton I lost it 😂😂😂
The first unit, I served in after AIT was as a medic in 1976 with the 15th C.S.H known as 15th Evacuation Hospital during WWII. This was one of the field hospital where the Patton slapping incident happened. I see you're also was a member of 11th ACR. I was assigned as a medic with Regimental Surgeon Office HHT, 11th ACR from 1979 to 1982 in Fulda, FRG on boarder duty. After Fulda, I left the service and attended College at UCONN received my degree and returned to the Army as an officer. Retiring in 2001. Great video. Great movie. Viewed it many times on the Big Screen and it home.
I think the thing that shocked me out of my mind was that poem Patton wrote, I can’t imagine any general writing something that wonderful insightful and genius, but he did. Read it. Part of it is in this movie.
Read Grant's autobiography. Brilliant writing.
Can the "dress sabers" that soldier's wear imwhile in dress uniform , could they be used as actual weapons ie carbon steel not stainless steel and sharp and so on .well could it just want to know just in case a zombie apocalypse happens
it's rather pointy at the tip, but not sharp in the slightest elsewhere. My ceremonial saber would only be able to be used as a bludgeon. A bat would be a more effective weapon, though I have used the scabbard on a number of occasions to kill spiders hiding in the corners of ceilings
@@CynicalHistorian i just noticed my amazing grammar
22:00 Patton is ruined now
the donkey killing scene was the most powerful moment and turning point in the movie for me. Beginning as a comedic scene then abruptly ending with the killing and dumping just startled me and was unexpected. Watching the grief and bewilderment of the owner made me realize what an asshole and horrible person Patton was. He was basically doing the same thing to his own men. Absolutely no empathy for something that could of been fixed in a matter of minutes with some patience. From that point in the movie, I no longer saw patton as the misunderstood anti hero. I saw him as the villain.
Patton was the best one of all Anglo-American generals in WW II.The most respected and feared by Germans.