Patton is an in-depth screen portrait of the most controversial and successful commander of World War II. It is more than a war film. Rather, it is a strongly etched character study of a military maverick -- a man who refused to run with the herd. Filmed by 20th Century-Fox in Dimension-150 at a reported cost of $14-million, Patton is not only superior screen entertainment but is also an exceptionally well-made picture. This is due primarily to the talented people producer Frank McCarthy brought together for the production. For example, there is an unforgettable performance by George C. Scott as Patton; powerful and incisive direction by Franklin J. Schaffner; a non-angled, definitive screenplay by Francis Ford Coppola and Edmund H. North; an inspiring music score by Jerry Goldsmith that makes use of an old Army fife and drum tune as the leitmotif; and superb photographic imagery by director of photography Fred J. Koenekamp. This book was written by the former Administrative Assistant to Brigadier General George S. Patton (son of General Patton of WWII fame) while assigned to the U.S. Army Armor School at Fort Knox, Kentucky.
