Patton (film) Quotes
1970 films, Biographical films, Epic films, World War II films, Best Picture Academy Award winners, United States National Film Registry films, Films about the United States Army, Films directed by Franklin J. Schaffner
Top Quotes
“Richard Muench as Colonel-General Alfred Jodl”
“The war movie for people who hate war movies!”
“Wikipedia: Patton (film)”
“Karl Malden as General Omar N. Bradley”
“Internet Movie Database (IMDb): Patton”
“James Edwards as Sergeant William Meeks”
“Siegfried Rauch as Captain Oskar Steiger”
“George C. Scott as General George S. Patton”
“The epic American war movie that Hollywood has always wanted to make but never had the guts to do before.”
“Karl Michael Vogler as Field Marshal Erwin Rommel”
“Michael Bates as Field Marshal Sir Bernard Law Montgomery”
“[seeing his troops rout General Erwin Rommel's 21st Panzer Division at El Guettar] Rommel... you magnificent bastard, I read your book!”
“[to staff, noting the obvious lack of German activity as winter sets in] There's absolutely no reason for us to assume the Germans are mounting a major offensive. The weather is awful, Their supplies are low, and the German army hasn't mounted a winter offensive since the time of Frederick the Great — therefore I believe that's exactly what they're going to do.”
“The Bradley name gets heavy billing on a picture of [a] comrade that, while not caricature, is the likeness of a victorious, glory-seeking buffoon … Patton in the flesh was an enigma. He so stays in the film. … Napoleon once said that the art of the general is not strategy but knowing how to mold human nature … Maybe that is all producer Frank McCarthy and Gen. Bradley, his chief advisor, are trying to say. And maybe, just maybe, obsequious sycophants should not be allowed to lead armies.”
“[writing about the death of his favorite aide, Captain Richard N. "Dick" Jenson, at the Battle of El Guettar] Captain Richard N. Jenson was a fine boy. Loyal, unselfish, and efficient. I am terribly sorry. There are no coffins here since there's no wood. We will have a trumpeter and an honor guard, but we will not fire the volleys, as it would make people think an air raid was on. I enclosed a lock of Dick's hair in a letter to his mother. He was a fine man and a fine officer. And he had no vices. I shall miss him a lot. I can't see the reason such fine young men get killed. There are so many battles yet to fight.”
“[ranting about being assigned to lead the First United States Army Group I feel I am destined to achieve some great thing — what, I don't know. But this last incident is so trivial in its nature and so terrible in its effect — it can't be the result of an accident. It has to be the work of God. The last great opportunity of a lifetime — an entire world at war and I'm left out of it? God will not permit this to happen! I will be allowed to fulfill my destiny! … His will be done.”
“[addressing 7th Army troops in an apology about the soldier-slapping incident] At ease.[Long pause] I thought I would stand up here and let you people see if I am as big of a son-of-a-bitch as some of you think I am. [Troops laugh]
I assure you I had no intention of being either harsh or cruel in my treatment of the soldier in question. My sole purpose was to try and to restore him some appreciation of his obligation as a man, and as a soldier. If one can shame a coward, I felt, one might help him regain his self-respect. This was on my mind. Now I freely admit that my method was wrong, but I hope you can understand my motive, and will accept this explanation, and this apology. Dismissed.”