by Ted Sherman

Created on: August 07, 2008

The 1970 film, "Patton," won seven Academy Awards, including Best Actor for George C. Scott for his portrayal of the title character, one of America's most famous and colorful World War II generals. It's significant that Scott refused to show up at the award ceremony, the first Oscar winner in history to do it (Marlon Brando did the same two years later), and said his excuse was that the Hollywood system was corrupt.

However, the reason for Scott's defiance may have gone much deeper. The year 1970 was a turbulent one for America. We were mired down in a war in Vietnam that had already gone on for five bloody years, with thousands of GI casualties and no end in sight. There were growing numbers of anti-war demonstrations throughout America, and several students killed were during a demonstration at Kent State University.

Because of Scott's own negative feelings about the Vietnam War while the film was being made, many critics believe the actor developed a love-hate relationship with the memory of General Patton. Thus, the brilliantly ambivalent way he portrayed the man may have been the reason Scott won the Oscar.

Scott's superb acting seems to be no acting at all. When he dons the fancy uniforms of General Patton, he's no longer playing a part, but living it. His physical presence of a swaggering martinet when ordering attacks softens to sentimentality when emotion affects him. A young aide dies during an enemy attack, and as medics are carry him away, the tearful General leans down and kisses the man. A similar incident occurs when Patton inspects American casualties after the battle of Kasserine Pass, his only defeat of the war. Greatly moved by the scenes of destruction, he kisses a dying soldier.

To scholars of World War II, Patton's exploits are well known. After learning hard lessons in North Africa, the General went on to significant victories in Sicily, Italy, France and Germany. Although his brilliant battle tactics were emphasized throughout the film, the story spends much time on his most infamous personal incident. During a visit to a hospital tent, he slaps a shell-shocked soldier and accuses the man of cowardice.

The arrogant Patton is reprimanded by General Eisenhower, and a dramatic scene shows the disciplined General fulfilling Ike's order to apologize publicly to a large formation of troops. The implication is that his emotional outburst almost cost him his career just at the moment when he's about to have his greatest triumphs in crossing the

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