Film
Patton + intro
- Director
- Franklin J. Schaffner
- Certificate
- 12A
- Running Time
- 172 mins
Originally written by Francis Ford Coppola, who was subsequently fired from the project but still bagged an Oscar for his trouble, this compelling biopic of decidedly unwoke, ‘yellowbelly’-hating, bellicose WWII US General George S. Patton was released in 1970 at the height of the Vietnam war and can be read as either a tribute to the maverick’s indomitable spirit or a damning critique of a reckless general who was happy to countenance any sacrifice (by others) in order to win. The battle scenes are superb and at its centre is a terrific performance by George C. Scott, who became the first actor to refuse an Oscar.
The Curzon’s screening will be preceded by a talk by Tony Griggs and John Taylor who worked as lighting stand-ins for Scott and Karl Malden. They’ll be sharing some stories from their time on the production as well as some personal photographs taken on set.
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