'Real History' Rarely Synonymous with 'Hollywood'

by Vincent Traina

Very few Hollywood movies, if any, portray the Second World War in an honest light. But for you "real history" students, there is at least one WW II film that has overwhelming qualities of historical correctness. "Patton," the 1970 Academy Awards Winning film starring George C. Scott, depicts the wartime feats of the great World War II General George Smith Patton, Jr. and cinematically captures the character and spirit of this great American patriot. Legendary film artist Francis Ford Coppola, famous for directing "The Godfather," utilizes a combination of innovative editing techniques and an artistic use of light and shadow, rendering "Patton" a powerful medium in its portrayal of the General as a charismatic genius who was abundantly cultured, patriotic, and fearless. His life is a great example of what American historian Brooks Adams (also great grandson of founding father John Adams) talked about as "spiritual man." Other instances include Charles Lindbergh, Henry Ford, and Thomas Edison.

"Old Blood and Guts" embodied many of the traditional qualities and virtues that have been customarily cherished by Western mankind. Due to his passionate love of history, he possessed a profound knowledge of its lessons. An illustration of this can be found in the movie during the drive to Germany. General Bradley telephones Patton with an urgent voice and declares that he hasn't any time to explain why an emergency meeting is being called. Before the four-star general departs for the conference, he reasons with his staff. "There's absolutely no reason for us to assume that the Germans are mounting a major offensive. The weather is awful. Their supplies are low. The German army hasn't mounted a winter attack since Frederick the Great. Therefore I believe that's exactly what they're going to do."

Patton also wrote poetry and was inspired by the personalities, challenges, and triumphs of the European peoples. This is effectively articulated in the film. A few examples include Patton talking reverently of the ancient Athenian General Alcibiades & his invasion of Sicily, of William the Conqueror, and of the heroic defense by hundreds of knights of Malta against forty thousand Turks in the sixteenth century. In addition to his affection for the past, he also believed in reincarnation. This may have very well suggested that he possessed a healthy spiritual outlook on his role and that of his ancestors in the epic and ongoing story of Western Civilization. It is not at all hard to understand the reasons behind Patton's philosophy considering the fact that his family fought during the American Revolution, for the Confederacy, and during the Mexican-American War.

Always aiming to achieve what the Greeks called arete (excellence) and expecting nothing less from his men, Patton could not help but garner overwhelming admiration and support from his men and their families. An eloquent manifestation of this occurs in the film during his reprieve in Malta. Frustrated by his forced absence from the war, Patton honorably says to his subordinates, "Well, looks as if you boys have hitched your wagon to a falling star. Pass the word. If anybody wants out, I'll understand." His personal aide, Lieutenant Colonel Codman, proudly responds, "Sir, I can speak for the entire staff. We want to stay with you, no matter what duty you're assigned to." Consistent with this chivalrous character, General Patton never failed to give credit when credit was due. Nowhere is this better expressed than through his lauded respect and admiration for the esprit de corps of the German soldier. Conversely, Patton's contempt and scorn for the Soviet military prompted some of his more "politically correct" associates such as General Dwight D. Eisenhower and General Omar Bradley to habitually reprimand the American patriot.

This conflict of interest became accentuated at the end of the war when Patton realized that the Soviets were a threat to the free world, and that therefore it was in the best interests of the Western powers to reinstate the German officers and have them partnered with the Americans to make the push to Moscow while the Soviets were still weak and the U.S. had the strategic advantage. We witness this attitude of Patton while he is attending a goodwill party thrown by the "gallant Soviet ally." A translator tells Patton, "Excuse me, sir. General Katkov would like to know whether you'll join him to drink to the surrender of Germany." George proudly denies Katkov the pleasure when he chides, "My compliments to the general. Please inform him that I don't care to drink with him or any other Russian son of a bitch." Aghast at this less than satisfactory response, the translator pleads, "Sir, I...I cannot tell the general that." Patton persists, "You tell him that. Tell him word for word." After receiving this insult, Katkov babyishly tells his translator to tell George, "The general says he thinks that you are a son of a bitch, too." After a hardy laugh, Patton stylishly answers, "O.K. I'll drink to that. One son of a bitch to another."

Though predictably giving a little bit too much attention to the scene when Patton slaps a corporal for cowardice, this does indeed reflect the hysterical reaction and ostracism of General Patton by the Western press in 1943 during the campaign in Sicily when one of the soldiers was appropriately disgraced in front of the wounded American soldiers. To the reasonable observer, the scene correctly reveals General Patton to be completely justified in shouting, "I won't have a yellow bastard sitting here crying in front of these brave men who've been wounded in battle. I won't have sons of bitches who are afraid to fight stinking up this place of honor. You're going back to the front, my friend. You may get shot. You may get killed, but you're going up to the fighting. Either that or I'm going to stand you up in front of a firing squad."

Fortunately there are only a few instances in the film that can be classified as false wartime propaganda and not as real history, however subtle they may be. One notable illustration occurs when Colonel General Alfred Jodl, Chief of Staff to Adolf Hitler, implies that it would mean certain death if he disagrees with the Fuhrer over military strategy. Easily refuted by primary documents (such as "Hitler's Table Talk") and scholarly research by historians such as legendary British author David Irving ("Hitler's War," "Churchill's War," "Nuremberg, the Last Battle") and American writer John Toland ("Adolf Hitler : The Definitive Biography"), the unavoidable truth is that Hitler's generals, inner circle, and associates quite often openly voiced their opposing opinions with their leader and were not afraid to do so. Hitler's communication skills and charismatic manner were frequently enough to persuade his followers that his way was better. Ironically, if Hitler's generals had heeded his advice during certain battles, such as Stalingrad and Normandy, the Germans might have won the Second World War.

Perhaps the best way to end this article on "Patton," both the movie and the man, is to provide one more sampling of dialogue. Towards the end of the film, Patton is riding a horse in a military hanger when confronted by American journalists. One reporter inquires, "We've been told about these wonder weapons the Germans were working on... long-range rockets, push-button bombing, weapons that don't need soldiers." Patton muses, "Wonder weapons... my God, I don't see the wonder in them. Killing without heroics, nothing is glorified... nothing is reaffirmed? No heroes, no cowards, no troops, no generals? Only those who are left alive... and those who are left dead. I'm glad I won't live to see it." Alas, the General's words were too prophetic, as he would soon succumb to a fatal neck injury caused by an untimely automobile accident merely months after the war ended.

News Source: Helium.com