Keith Burgess-Jackson, J.D., Ph.D.

John Sullivan took me to task for criticizing Patton. He says it's a biographical movie, not a war movie. I say that it fails on either score. If it's a war movie, then it fails to depict the ugly reality of war. There is lots of death, but no dying. Not once did I see someone scream in agony. Not once did I see blood spurting from a wound. This was cartoon war, which is to say not war at all. If it's a biographical movie, on the other hand, then it's awful. We learn nothing about Patton's education, family, experience, or background. His motives, values, and character are undeveloped. He comes across as shallow and fragmented. I told Katherine that if this is a realistic portrayal of Patton, then he was a vainglorious prick. By the way, the acting was terrible.