‘Best’ World War 2 film is a 1970 ‘masterpiece’ | Films | Entertainment

There have been countless World War Two films released over the years, but only a handful are still regularly described as true masterpieces. Some focus on huge battle scenes and action, while others are remembered because of the performances and the way they bring real history to life.

One classic war movie from the 1970s continues to stand out for many viewers and is still widely regarded as one of the greatest military films ever made. The film follows one of America’s most famous and controversial wartime generals during World War Two. It became a huge success when it was released and went on to win multiple Academy Awards, including Best Picture.

The film in question is Patton, the 1970 war epic starring George C. Scott as US General George S. Patton.

Directed by Franklin J. Schaffner, the film follows Patton during important World War Two campaigns across North Africa and Europe.

The story shows his victories on the battlefield as well as the controversies that surrounded him throughout the war.

Karl Malden also stars in the film as General Omar Bradley, while the screenplay was written by Francis Ford Coppola and Edmund H. North.

The movie was based on the books Patton: Ordeal and Triumph by Ladislas Farago and A Soldier’s Story by Omar Bradley.

Patton was a big box office success and won seven Academy Awards in 1971, including Best Picture, Best Director and Best Original Screenplay.

George C. Scott also won Best Actor for his role, although he famously declined the Oscar. He did so because of a fundamental disagreement with the concept of actors competing against each other for awards.

The film still holds a 92% critic score and 93% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes.

And those who have seen it do not hold back in their praise. One person said in a review on Rotten Tomatoes: “It really doesn’t get any better than this one, for realism, casting, set, costumes, scenery… and all based on a true story.”

Another added: “This film is the pinnacle of film making, especially for World War Two buffs. George C. Scott deserved his Oscar for Best Actor in every regard for his performance as Patton.”

A third wrote: “It’s an all time classic and a masterpiece. An impeccably well written film with phenomenal and sympathetic performances.”

Someone else commented: “Best World War Two film by far and one of the greatest movies ever made.”

The opening speech in front of the giant American flag has become one of the most famous scenes in film history and is still regularly quoted today.

In 2003, the film was also selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry because of its cultural and historical importance.

Patton is available to stream on Disney+.