The Last Days of Patton (1986) Movie Script

[MUSIC PLAYING]
[CHEERING]
REPORTER: General Patton.
How long do you plan
to bee here in Boston?
-Well, I'm in the
States for a month
on a war bond selling tour.
The war may be over
in Europe, but we
still have the Japs to lick.
Our boys will do it too with
your bonds and their bluff.
REPORTER: Will you
be joining General
MacArthur in the Pacific?
-No, I've been appointed
proconsul of Bavaria.
REPORTER: But would ya
like to go to the Pacific?
-Yes, I'd love to go
and fight the Japanese.
REPORTER: Mrs. Patton.
Mrs. Patton, how long has it bee
since you've seen the general.
-Two years and seven months.
When he left he
told me he thought
he'd-- he'd die fighting.
It seems a miracle
that he's back,
even if it is just
for a short leave.
REPORTER: How long have you
and the general been married?
-35 years.
REPORTER: Oh General Patton,
sir, could you-- could you
tell our readers your secret
for a long and happy marriage?
-Well to begin with
you have to start off
with marrying the right person.
Now as to what Beatrice
got out of the bargain,
you'll have to ask her.
I think she's been cheated.
It seemed wicked
somehow to cross
such a wonderful girl
who loves such a fool.
Trapped in the shape and
fashion of that condition,
I've always been a
very, very lucky man.
REPORTER: Mrs. Patt, does the
general talk in his sleep?
-No.
But if he ever does, I'll give
him my undivided attention.
REPORTER: Mrs. Patton.
BEATRICE PATTON: Yes.
REPORTER: As the wife
of a famous general who
is frequently in the headlines
from being outspoken,
do you have anything to
say to the American Press?
GENERAL PATTON: be
careful now, Bea.
I
BEATRICE PATTON:
I respect all that
is fair and courageous
in the press.
I would only ask
you to understand
that my husband at the
tuff perfectionist.
REPORTER: Now, general, would
you give us a statement?
-Gentlemen, I'm a
soldier first and last.
I'm not a politician, not a
diplomat, not a statesman.
And I make no alibis for
the things that I say.
Now, if you'll forgive
me, my family and I
are leaving for California.
I want to pay a visit to my
boyhood church in San Gabriel
and give thanks to God
before I go back to Germany.
REPORTER: Good luck, General.
-Who's in charge here?
-Let that Colonel through.
This is the famous S.S., the
elite of the German Army.
Yes, you understand me.
Pull yourself together, Colonel.
The appearance of you and
your men are a disgrace.
You look like a
bunch of vagrants
at a convention of tramps.
Now by tomorrow,
I want you cleaned
up and ready for inspection.
We're going to have little
spit and polish around here.
You ought to be
ashamed of yourself.
We're going to use the POWs.
-For what?
-For work.
-We have no advisories
authorizing their use.
The hell with advisories.
We need wood cut.
Every family should
have enough wood
to heat at least one room
throughout the winter.
Let the POWs cut it.
-Charlie I saw your
dad in the States.
He sends you his best.
Good to see you again.
I'm just going to say a
few words to the boys.
DRILL SERGEANT: Atten hut.
-All right, break
ranks, everybody,
and come up around here.
Gather around here where I can
see you and you can hear me.
Well, we've got a big job here.
Feeding and housing
displaced Germans,
and getting a decent
government going.
And it's not going to be easy.
Keeping the peace
is a battle too.
When war is over, you just
don't sit back and your fannies
and stop fighting.
War and peace are two
sides of the same coin.
You've got to be
prepared to squash
the next little wallpaper
hanger that comes along.
That's what most
people don't seem
to understand
about preparedness.
They think that we vanquished
the last tyrant on earth.
Well, they're wrong.
Every generation
breeds new ones.
In time of peace,
prepare for war.
Those aren't my
words, gentlemen.
Those are the words of
General George Washington.
Thank you, very on.
-Gentlemen, I'd like to
introduce General Patton.
-Be seated, please gentlemen.
As you know, I've been appointed
military Governor of Bavaria.
That means that I am
responsible for the welfare
of the entire
civilian population.
Now, we have a lot
of problems here.
Food, clothing medicine,
fuel, in short, survival.
In my estimation, this
issue takes precedent
over purging local
governments of minor officials
who have been
accused without proof
of paying lip service
to the Nazi party.
Now, you people are
here today because you
are the men who run Bavaria.
You know how to
get the job done.
All I can say about that
is that whatever your past
affiliations, if you do them
well, you keep your jobs.
Which of you is Minister
President Schaefer?
-I am, General.
-Doctor Schaefer,
there are those
in the American
government who believe
that the German economy
should be broken.
Needless to say,
I'm not one of them.
But I want you and your cabinet
to put Bavaria on its feet
before winter.
If it is not, you
will answer to me.
-Yes, General.
-Thank you, gentlemen.
That's all.
[KNOCK ON DOOR]
GENERAL PATTON: Yes?
-Excuse me, General,
but these just came in.
-What are they?
-This one is a hospital
this is fuel availability,
this is water supply,
here's railroads,
this one's electric power.
GENERAL PATTON:
Fine, fine, fine.
These require signatures.
GENERAL PATTON: Clear.
-Oh, and this is the
redeployment policy.
-That will be all.
Thank you, lieutenant.
-Sorry, sir.
[SIGHS]
[PHONE RINGS]
[KNOCK AT DOOR]
-Sir, it's General Bedell
Smith on the phone.
-That's what I was afraid of.
Yes, Bedell.
Well, I'm carrying out Ike's
orders as fast as I can.
I don't care about the
professor's report.
Yes, I read it.
My concern here is to get
enough wood to keep people
from freezing to
death this winter,
not to kick out
every little file
clerk who said heil Hitler.
Yes.
Uh, Bedell, it took
me 40 weeks to conquer
this part of Germany.
Now, it's going to take a
reasonable amount of time
to replace all the
officials would were Nazi's.
You can't do it overnight.
Even if it means turning
the local government
into a shambles?
Yeah, well I'll
keep that in mind.
-To all units.
With reference to the promotion
system, I see no reason why--
-Excuse me.
-Georgie, what can I do for you?
-Nothing.
I just want to get rid
of these lousy cigars.
I'm going to stop
smoking them for good.
You can have them.
-Where was I?
-With references to
the promotion system,
I see no reason.
-I see no-- George.
What's the matter?
George, are you OK?
-Sure, I'm fine.
I supposed you heard that my
transfer to the Pacific is out.
-Ah, you just might
still go to China.
-I doubt it.
Unless Doug MacArthur
steps on a landmine.
-Let's face it.
He's the one who's
pulling the strings.
He just doesn't want
the competition.
-Mm, yeah.
Two primadonnas is one too many.
Now I've got Bedell
Smith on my back.
Apparently he speaks
for Ike nowadays.
According to the beatle, Ike
is unhappy with my efforts
in de-Nazifying this place.
He wants a clean sweep now.
Everyone with any Nazi
affiliation is out on his butt.
That means I'm supposed to fire
the entire Schaefer cabinet
and refill it with displaced
Jews and communists who don't
know anything about
running the country.
Well, the hell with it.
-Every civil servant in Germany
paid homage to the party.
If he didn't he
was out of a job.
-I think it's stupid.
I'm going to drag my
feet as long as I can.
-Watch out for Beatle.
He's Ike's official hatchet man.
-He's a son of a bitch.
-General Eisenhower,
General Smith has arrived.
GENERAL EISENHOWER (ON
INTERCOM): It's about time.
Send him in.
-Yes sir.
You may go in, general.
-Thank you.
-You're late.
-Sorry, Ike.
-OK, let's have it.
Is he going to follow
my directive or not?
-He says he needs more time.
-More time.
An order is an order.
What's the American Army
doing in Germany if not
to rid the
administration of Nazi's?
-George calls them ex-Nazis.
-Bull.
They're Nazi's in my book.
How many of them does George
have in key positions?
-Schaefer's the main one,
and there are 20 under him.
-20?
-He's also got a whole
entourage of Nazi's
on his household staff.
You know, Ike, it seems to me
that with the chief of staff
job coming up in
Washington, wind of this
could become a stumbling
block to your appointment.
It all reflects back
on you, you know.
-I should have sent
George home after he
slapped that soldier in Sicily.
-We believe that two
in this household
are with the Nazi
Secret Service,
which is still operating.
-I'm going to go talk
with him, have this out.
I'll fly to Munich tomorrow.
You want to come?
-No, I'd better not.
Georgia hates my guts.
-You going riding
this morning, General.
-Uh, yes.
-What would you
like for breakfast.
-Oh, just orange juice.
How long have you
been with me, George?
-About a year, sir.
-And what do I always
have for breakfast.
-Just orange juice.
-Anything else?
-No, sir.
-Then why in hell do
you ask me every morning
what I want for breakfast.
-When I don't ask, is when
you ask for ham and eggs.
BARON WANGENHEIM: These
are magnificent animals.
GENERAL PATTON: Well,
they come from France.
BARON WANGENHEIM: How
did you come by them?
GENERAL PATTON: Well,
Baron, you might
say the Third Army
liberated them.
BARON WANGENHEIM: I see.
GENERAL PATTON: Sad,
almost every boy in America
knows how to run a car,
but very few of them
understanding
anything about horses.
I suppose they think that
horses fun on gasoline.
I guess if you have
to govern Bavaria,
this is a good
place to do it from.
You know, I have no animosity
towards professional soldiers
like yourself.
BARON WANGENHEIM: I'm grateful
to hear that, General.
-Well, I enjoy our talks.
-It's been a revelation to
meet an American gentleman who
is informed about the
communist aim in Europe.
-I'm informed all right.
The trouble is,
most of my rubber
legged colleagues
are scared to death
of offending the Bolsheviks.
They think that
treaties and votes
will keep the wolf at bay.
The Fatherland must be saved.
Germany will need a champion.
-I know.
I've done everything I can.
There's never been
a better chance
at producing a war as we
have in Europe right now.
With the German troops I'm
holding and my own men,
I could push the Russians
all the way back to Moscow.
[SIRENS]
-Georgie.
-You old horse thief Come on.
What's new?
-Oh, things are going very well.
I've gotten reports that
conditions in certain DP camps
are deteriorating.
So I decided to
come see for myself.
And since this happened
to be on the way,
well I guess I just
wanted to see you.
GENERAL PATTON: You know
I'm always glad to see you.
-Georgie.
How long have we
known each other?
GENERAL PATTON:
Mm, 20, 25 years.
Let's see, Camp Coal,
Pennsylvania, 1918.
My God, how young we were.
Starting out into the unknown.
You're my oldest friend.
-I remember, once you told
me you thought your life
and mine were under
the protection
of some supreme fate.
-I didn't know what my life
would largely depend on you.
You could easily
have forgotten me
after that incident
in Sicily, but you
gave me Third Army instead.
-I claim an almost proprietary
interest in you, Georgie.
I have.
I have taken a lot
of stands for you.
-I know you have.
I'm grateful.
GENERAL EISENHOWER: But
Friendship is one thing,
our professional
relationship is another.
As you know, I've
announced a firm policy
for de-Nazifying
local administrations.
-Even if they fall apart?
-Yes.
But they won't.
-That's debatable.
-Not anymore.
The debatable stage of
the question long passed.
Any opposition to the
faithful execution of my order
will not be regarded leniently
by me, friend or no friend.
-Yes, sir.
DRILL SERGEANT:
Company on guard.
General.
REPORTER: Tell us, General.
Do you think the de-Nazification
program can be carried out
by commanders who are
tempermentally and emotionally
in disagreement with it?
GENERAL EISENHOWER: I don't
think we have anyone like that.
REPORTER: Oh?
But what about General Patten?
Hasn't he opposed?
-No.
-General Smith, are you
familiar with General Patton's
most recent statement
on Saturday?
-I'm not prepared
to discuss that now.
-Well, he said, and I quote, "it
is no more possible for a man
to have been a civil
servant in Germany
and not have paid
lip service to Nazism
than it is for a man to
be a postmaster in America
and not have paid lip
service to the Democratic or
Republican parties
when in power."
Do you agree with
General Patton's analogy?
-Ms. Mcnully, I'm sure General
Patton didn't mean to equate
the Republican Party
with the Nazi party.
-Those are his own words.
-He also said that he personally
never saw any necessity
to de-Nazify, since
98% of the Nazis
were pushed into it anyway.
-General Patton is a soldier
and will carry out his orders.
REPORTER: General Smith.
-General Smith, is it
true that former Nazis
are still holding
office in Bavaria?
-As I said, General Patton
will carry out his orders.
-This canal in operation,
General, transport
between Munich and the southern
cities will be facilitated.
Barges with food and fuel will
supply hundreds of thousands
in need.
There, General.
And we will have two more canals
fully repaired before winter.
-Good work, Doctor.
Congratulate your people for me.
Whatever their
sentiments a year ago,
they know how to
get the work done.
The Russians would have taken
two years to repair the locks.
Then they would have had the
water running the wrong way.
BARON WANGENHEIM:
Very good, General
GENERAL PATTON: That's high
praise coming from you.
BARON WANGENHEIM: Where
did you learn the skill?
GENERAL PATTON: Baron, I'm an
old saber-rattling cattleman
from way back.
BARON WANGENHEIM: Ah, no wonder.
GENERAL PATTON: Good.
Hey.
-You're looking good, George.
-Yeah, well, the Baron's
got a wicked attack.
[LAUGHS] Well, too bad
you're not one of them
Pinko journalists we had
over here on Saturday.
BARON WANGENHEIM: But
without the padded vest.
-More problems with
the press, General?
-Yes, the ragtag,
bobtailed remnants
of the great U.S. press.
I don't get it.
I used to have them
on my side, didn't I?
-Always.
-Now they try to provoke
me, put words in my mouth.
BARON WANGENHEIM: They
certainly did Saturday.
-I lost my temper.
I should have known better.
What's that?
-It's from Ike.
-Stick it right there.
-So the Nazis are
just like Republicans
and Democrats, George.
-They twisted my words.
I was trying to make a point.
You made it, all right.
In the New York Times, you
created a major scandal.
GENERAL PATTON: I
withdrew the remark.
-Well, that'll do
a lot of good now.
Sit down.
George, the war was about Nazis.
And for you to say they were
just another political party.
-That isn't what I meant.
GENERAL EISENHOWER: These
SS troops you're holding.
-What about them?
-You got them
drilling like they're
going into combat tomorrow.
-Well, they look like bums.
I'm trying to give them
back their self-respect.
-SS units don't
need self-respect.
We don't want them
to have self-respect.
Now, I don't believe
this, but I've
been told that you'd like
nothing better than to provoke
a showdown with the
Russians and combine
those SS troops with
your Third Army.
-That's crazy.
-Crazy is right.
But is it true?
-No sir, it is not.
But I have to admit,
I wouldn't mind
having a crack at
those mongrels.
-What mongrels?
Those Russians are our allies.
I've said this to
you 100 times and you
persistent in these
hostile statements.
GENERAL PATTON: I disagree
with you, that's all.
-You can't disagree with me.
It's not a matter of opinion.
It's a matter of policy.
You will carry out my policies.
Now about this
Schaefer situation.
-Uh, that's under investigation.
-I appointed you
administrator of Bavaria.
And you retained the
minister president
who employs 20 Nazis
in his cabinet, 20.
-Where did you get
that information?
Norin.
Professor Walter Norin.
He's our expert on
de-Nazification.
-Probably a communist
in disguise.
-I checked this out myself.
This Schaefer has 16 Nazi
friends in agriculture
and 4 in finance, all
cases for mandatory removal
under my instructions.
-I can't disrupt the
administration of Bavaria
over some vague accusations.
My Anglo-Saxon ancestry
makes me reluctant to remove
people without due
process of law.
-Due process.
-I will carry out your
wishes to the letter.
-And in spirit.
-And in spirit.
-About this Wangenheim
you ride with.
-He's a fine horseman.
Won a gold medal
in '36 Olympics.
He was a colonel in the SS.
-So I understand.
-And that's all you understand?
-Look, Ike, I realize
that sometimes I'm
a political
embarrassment to you.
But Bavaria is
running like a clock.
I've got that place moving.
We're rebuilding, and we're
going to be on our feet
before any other
part of Germany.
But if it is an
embarrassment to you,
if it's causing you
problems about getting
into the White House.
-What did you say?
-I think you'd make
a great president.
-Oh don't give me that crap.
-I'd campaign for you, myself.
-Shut up, George, and listen.
If you think that what
I've said is motivated
by personal interest,
you're badly mistaken.
And you're impugning my honor.
There's nothing dishonorable
about seeking political office.
-It's your mouth, George.
You can't control it.
You never could.
And I'll tell you
something else.
It getting so bad
that people think
there's something
wrong with you.
Now, I admire your
good qualities,
but I've got to face facts.
You're just no
military governor.
I believe it would be
in your best interests
if you gave up command
of the Third Army.
-You're relieving me?
-I'm transferring you.
General Gerow is going home.
I'm giving you command of
the 15th Army in Bad Nauheim.
-The 15th.
It's a paper army.
They're writing the
history of the war.
That's no army.
They've never fired a shot.
-No one has to fire
any more shots, George.
That's something you've
got to understand.
The war is over.
Now, I admire you.
Your audacity, your ability.
But those very qualities that
made you great in wartime
are a pain in the
neck in peacetime.
If you're planning on
spending the night, of course
you're welcome to stay with me.
But I imagine you'd rather
get home as soon as possible?
-Yeah.
I'll leave now.
DRILL SERGEANT: Atten hut.
Right shoulder arms.
-And Hep, don't take too long.
-I won't.
I'll join you in three days.
-You know, I'm going to
kind of miss this place.
-You'll get over it.
-I always have.
I had the same sort of
sentimental attachment
to the Seventh Army as
I have to the Third.
But, I got over it.
-Good to see you, George.
George, welcome
to the 15th Army.
-Atten hut.
GENERAL PATTON: At ease.
As you were.
-Well, George, this is it.
Reports from theater
commanders, staff reports,
analytical studies on tactics,
more comes in every day.
-I'd like to review the troops.
-I'm afraid you just did.
-Looks like a paper
army, all right.
-That's what it is.
-Well, Paul, you'd better lay in
a supply of the most essential
piece of equipment
we're going to need.
-What's that, George?
-Eye drops. -
GENERAL EISENHOWER
(VOICEOVER): My darling Bea.
It seems I've been kicked
upstairs to the 15th Army.
They sneaked me
to my new command
like a thief in the night.
It's one hell of a way
for Ike to treat me.
But things will change, and
I'll be way out in front again.
This so-called Army
is just a handful
of clerks and a committee of
officers whose job is to write
a lot of stuff that
no one will ever read.
-Well, what do you
think of the 15th Army?
-Well, I think it's
going to be fine, sir.
Except it's a little dangerous.
-Dangerous?
-Yes sir.
One of the cooks told
me two clerks got buried
under a ton of
paper the other day.
It took six hours
to dig them out.
Their bodies were
covered in ink.
-Smudged to death, huh?
-That's it, sir.
-[CHUCKLES] Go, on to bed.
-Yes, sir.
Good night, General.
-Good night, George.
GENERAL EISENHOWER
(VOICEOVER): I
look forward to
Christmas with you.
Officially, I'm calling
it a 30 day leave,
but it'll be for good.
I don't intend to
come back to Europe
unless it's to fight
in the next war.
I'm getting out, Bea.
I just want to look into
your brave, loyal eyes again.
My conscience is clear, Bea.
If a man's done his
best, what more is there?
-General?
General Patton.
Good evening, General.
-Stay, Willie.
-Welcome to the
Grand Hotel, General.
Colonel Harkins has asked
that I conduct you to him.
Eh-- if you'll please follow me.
-Ah, this won't take
too long, Woody.
Than a quick drink
with Colonel Harkins
and back to the damn paperwork.
-Yes, sir.
-You've got to
give Willie a walk.
-Yes, sir.
GENERAL EISENHOWER (VOICEOVER):
I know I'm right i what I did
and the rest can go to hell.
Or I hope they can,
because it's going
to be pretty crowded down there.
At the moment, I feel mad.
My public position is that
Ike has done me a favor
by giving me this
new assignment.
But my private opinion is that
practically everyone but myself
is a pusillanimous
son of a bitch.
CROWD [SINGING]:
Happy birthday to you.
I Happy birthday day to you.
Happy birthday General Patton.
Happy birthday to you.
-Well, I'll be damned.
[SINGING]
-You take Doug MacArthur.
He's got a craggy face.
Mark Clark, he's
got a weak chin.
Besides, he gives me the creeps.
Now, Ike's face is bland.
Omar the Tentmaker, he's
got a very strong jaw.
It makes an impression
the first time around,
until you realize
how really mediocre.
Then Monty, we have Monty.
Monty has the expression
of a ferocious rabbit.
And then we come
down to Beatle Smith.
The only problem with
Beatle's face is it shows.
[CLANGING GLASS]
PAUL: Gentlemen,
gentlemen, please.
Ladies, may I have
your attention please?
Thank you.
Six months ago, we
were still fighting
a war with Nazi Germany.
A war to liberate Europe
from the oppression
of the Third Reich.
The armed forces of the U.S.A.
and her allies won that war.
A large measure of credit
for that achievement
goes to a man whose
hell raising leadership
galvanized his men
to victory in Africa,
Sicily, France, and Germany.
The exploits of the Third
Army made history because
of an extraordinary
general whose
me would follow him anywhere.
-Would any of you
gentlemen care to test it?
Would it kill me if I ran
my had through it, sir?
-I invite you to try it,
Johnson, at your own risk.
Patton, how about you?
-Yes, sir.
-Today is the bosses' birthday.
And we're here to thank
him for being a rip roarin'
soldier and a
warm-hearted friend.
So, so, this toast to
General George S. Patton.
Happy birthday, and long life.
God bless you.
-It's reassuring to know that
I'm still a fairly good sized
social lion.
I thank you, Paul,
Jeff, everyone.
I don't have very much to
say, except-- you know--
that the most difficult
thing for a general to do
is make up his mind.
And then, of course, to
withstand the gruesome rumors
that are thrust upon him by
less stout-hearted people.
No, I've-- I've been in a
lot of trouble lately with
the press and some
of my colleagues.
Most of them were
supposed to be my friends.
I guess it's my own fall.
But it reminds me of a
young woman friend of mine
who had a baby recently.
And she said, oh,
it's so wonderful
to be able to roll over
and lie on my tummy again.
I said, my dear child, had
you maintained that position
originally, you
probably would not
be in your recent
unenviable committee.
I thank you-- I thank you for
your toast and your praise.
And I would like to save that
George S. Patton was simply
a hook upon which to
hang the Third Army.
And I can tell you this.
The Third Army is
the best thing that
has ever happened
to George S. Patton.
MAN: George S. Patton was
the best thing that ever
happened to the whole damn Army.
-Well, I am 60 years old today.
Last time a war ended, I wrote
a poem for my wife, Beatrice.
I don't feel quite
up to it now, but I
would like to say one, two
lines from my favorite poet,
Rudyard Kipling.
"Two things greater
than all things are.
The first love,
and the second war.
And since we know not how war
may prove, heart of my heart,
let us talk of love."
[SINGING - FOR HE'S A JOLLY GOOD
FELLOW]
-Our difficulty
with the Russian is
we forget he's not
European but Asiatic.
Therefore, he thinks deviously.
We can no more understand
those mongrel savages
than we can understand
Chinamen or Japs.
On my opinion, the Bolshevik
is a congenital liar,
a barbarian, and
a chronic drunk.
It would be fun to
kill a few of them.
-Am I missing out
on something here?
-Sit down, Jeff.
Pull up a chair.
You remember my wife's
niece, Jean Gordon?
-Of course.
-Keyes just took over my
old outfit, the Seventh Army
at Heidelberg.
-Well, it's good to
see you again, General.
-Paul, I think you went to a lot
of trouble to raise this party.
-My pleasure, George.
I just wish Beatrice
could have been here.
Well, Bea's probably mapping
out my holiday leave.
-If I know Bea, you
won't have a free minute.
-Would you care to dance?
-Yes.
-He doesn't like me.
-Who?
-General Keyes.
I can tell.
-Don't be silly.
He's probably thinking
what a lucky old fool I am.
That perfume.
-It's over, isn't it?
-The war, yes.
-You know what I mean.
-Yes, it's over.
-General Bigwig.
-What?
-I have a confession to make.
I wanted the war to go
on just a little longer.
Isn't that incredible.
I'm so ashamed.
How could anyone be so selfish.
I'll be so lonely without you.
Why does everything
come too late?
-When the hair
turns gray and love
looks out of an old man's eyes.
-That's not what I meant.
It is beautiful though.
Who wrote it, Yeats?
-No.
-I don't know.
Browning?
-No.
-Who then?
-Bigwig.
-You're a remarkable
poet, General Bigwig.
-Your West Point French has
improved, Lieutenant Patton.
-No wonder.
I was 107th in a class of 123.
-Oh, that's 16th
from the bottom.
Obviously, I didn't marry you
for your prowess in languages.
-For what, then?
-Oh, you're fishing for
compliments again, Lieutenant.
-You know, Mrs.
Patton, you really
are rather pretty for
a retired debutante.
-I couldn't sleep last night.
Want to know why?
-No.
-What?
-I couldn't either.
Why?
-I was thinking about us.
What it would be
like being married.
Being alone together at last.
-You may not sleep
tonight either.
-Where were you?
-Mm?
-You're somewhere else.
-With you in my arms?
Don't be ridiculous.
-Hold me tight.
--[SINGING] It's Lily
from Piccadilly.
She is the blackout queen.
Lily from Piccadilly,
ugliest girl I've seen.
With searchlights
moving overhead
are gone,
don't take her gas mask off, she
looks much better with it on.
Lily from Piccadilly, she
is the blackout queen.
a
-Come on, everybody sing it.
It's--
-[SINGING] Lily from Piccadilly.
She is the blackout queen.
Oh, Lilly from Piccadilly,
ugliest girl I've seen.
--[SINGING] Her wig
should never bother you,
she's several missing parts.
One glass eye, and wooden leg,
she's still the queen of tarts.
-[SINGING] Lily from Piccadilly.
She is the blackout queen.
It's Lily from Piccadilly,
she is the blackout queen.
Lily from Piccadilly,
ugliest girl I've seen.
Who cares if she
has pigeon toes,
a voice that's rather harsh.
She's one good trait, an RAF
type handlebar moustache.
Oh Lily from Piccadilly
queen of the blackout,
lays her neck out, she
won't let you back out,
you won't pay a stack out
for Lily the blackout queen.
[BUZZER]
-Hello?
Holy cow.
Private first class
Woodring here, over.
SERGEANT MEEKS (ON PHONE):
This is Sergeant Meeks.
Wake up, Private.
General Patton and General
Gay are going pheasant hunting
south of Mannheim And
you're driving, over.
-But he's going back
to the States tomorrow.
SERGEANT MEEKS (ON PHONE):
And he's going hunting today.
-Like, when?
SERGEANT MEEKS (ON PHONE):
Like in 20 minutes.
And the General wants
to use the limo.
Joe Spokes will follow in the
truck with the guns and dog,
over.
-What time is it, anyway?
SERGEANT MEEKS (ON PHONE):
Time to move your butt.
Over and out.
[DOG BARKING]
-Hey, Woody.
I seen you last night with
that big, blonde Fraulein.
-Why not tell the
whole world about it?
-Oh, don't worry.
If they catch you
fraternizing again,
what more can they do to you?
You've already been demoted
to the bottom of the heap.
Come on, it's half past 7:00.
When are we leaving?
-Whenever they want.
Now, you got the guns?
-Yeah, yeah.
They're in the back.
Hey, do you think she could
get me a Kraut girlfriend?
I'm getting really lonely.
-Yeah, I'll bet.
-I swear.
-Willie, kill.
-Come on, Mr. Willie.
Inside, boy.
-I got him from a
pound in London.
Ugliest thing I've ever seen.
He's going to be a real
scrapper, I thought.
I'm going to name him after
William the Conqueror.
He's the biggest
coward in dogdom.
Maybe I should have slapped.
-Very funny.
-Well, what are we
going to do with him?
All right, you be a good
boy while daddy's gone.
-Good morning, Woody.
-Good morning, sir.
-Morning, Woody.
-Spruce got the directions?
-Yes sir, I told him
to just follow us.
-Just keep him in sight.
I-- I don't mind losing Spruce.
It's Englebert
I'm worried about.
-I visited with King George
in Belgium last month.
Woody got me back to Bad
Nauheim in less than two hours.
70 miles an hour, through
all the checkpoints.
You should have seen him scurry.
-Didn't Woody used
to be a sergeant?
-Oh, yes.
But he's devoted to
the local ladies.
Woody is constantly in love.
-Life's unfair.
So many Frauleins and no
fraternization around.
-Well, it's a stupid idea.
You can't control sex.
All that moralistic garbage.
We both know that when morals
go down, morale goes up.
It's a heck of a problem.
-But apparently one that
Woody enjoys wrestling with.
-Sergeant says to the private--
he says, well son, what would
you like to learn
in this man's army.
And the recruit
says I-- I'd like
to learn to drive a tank, sir.
And he says, well in that case,
I won't stand in your way.
You'd think if my chief of
staff won't laugh at my jokes,
at least my driver would.
-Oh, sorry, sir.
It was really funny.
-It's just that I've heard
it a few times before.
-But not from me you haven't.
I haven't even thought
of that joke in years.
I haven't told it since
I can't remember when.
I'll tell you one thing
though, I'll but when I did
tell it the last
time, I probably
brought the house down.
GENERAL PATTON: So the
sergeant says, tell me private,
what you want to learn
in this man's army?
And the recruit says, I want to
learn how to drive a tank, sir.
Well, says the sergeant,
in that case, private,
I won't stand in your way.
This model is a
revolutionary design.
-Its revolutionary, all right.
Damn contraption.
GENERAL PATTON:
Now, I ask that you
gentlemen use your imagination.
For as you can see,
this experimental model
has very little armor plating
yet and no superstructure.
For our purposes though, it will
demonstrate what you gentlemen
from the War Department
need to see in order
to make your evaluation
and recommendation
to the ordinance department.
This new model can
break through buildings,
push trees over, and
plough through stand
at 30 miles an hour.
This little iron buggy
is so easy to handle,
even a the child could drive it.
I've got an idea.
Now, how about one
of you gentlemen take
me up for the trial run.
Huh, how about it?
Now gentlemen, there is
no need for stage fright.
How about a run
around the field?
Wouldn't someone like
to take the first ride?
All right.
Bea, you demonstrate
it for the gentlemen.
-Of course, darling.
-You see how easy it is
to handle, gentleman?
Now, who'd like
to give it a try?
-Thank you, Colonel Patton.
We a-- I think
we've seen enough.
And you'll be hearing
from us in time.
-Gentlemen.
-Thank you.
-They were horrid, the
pompous old fogies.
-They aren't important.
-But your presentation,
they tried to make a foo--
-Forget them.
Thank you, my dearest.
WOODY: That guy must be crazy.
He is crazy.
-So you two just sail right
through the checkpoints, huh?
Not like the rest
of us peasants?
WOODY: Can't the idiot see
the four stars on this tub?
-Oh, Woody.
He's only doing his job.
Look at him shiver.
Would you like to
trade places with him?
-From the way he
carries on, you'd
never know he's just a PFC.
-Says he wants to see
your identification, sir.
Says it's regulations.
-Well, he's right.
It is regulations.
Well, Hap, we've run into
a young man who is not
impressed with Old
Blood and Guts.
What am I going to do with him?
-Charm him, Georgie.
-Morning, young man.
-Hello, sir.
-I'm General George S. Patton,
commanding the 15th Army
at Bad Nauheim.
I understand that you want
to see my identification.
-Yes, sir.
That is if you don't mind.
-All right.
Here we are.
Thank you, sir.
You may pass.
-What's your name?
-Corporal Philip Leach, sir.
-Philip.
Good name.
Strong name.
Like strong names.
It means you're a
lover of horses.
Do you like horses, Philip?
-Oh, yes sir.
-Good for you.
Well, Phil, I'm going to
see that your CO finds
out just what a
good MP you make.
-Oh really?
Thank you, sir.
-Spruce.
SPRUCE: Yes, sir.
-Bring Englebert up here,
put him in the front seat.
Poor thing will freeze to
death in that damn truck.
-They say a reasonable number
of fleas is good for a dog.
Keeps him from brooding
over being a dog.
-Well, he's sure a lot
better off than some
of the poor devils
scratching around here, hm?
I don't understand, Hep.
All I wanted to do was
help build a new Germany.
All this ballyhoo
about de-Nazification.
-I know.
But face it, Georgie, you were
Ike's champion and runner.
And when you didn't
follow his directives,
he took you out of the game.
It's as simple as that.
He calls the plays.
-Well, it all boils
down to one thing.
Ike is bitten by the
presidential bug,
and he doesn't want
me rocking the boat.
But he will never be president,
I'm telling you that right now.
Trouble is, I'm an
anachronism in peacetime.
I never was very good at
political bootlicking.
Now with FDR gone, the new gang
in Washington hates my guts.
Then they go and drop a bomb
and end the Pacific War,
probably make people like
me obsolete, I don't know.
I feel myself driven
toward an end I cannot see.
But I know as soon
as I reach it,
as soon as I become
unnecessary, an atom
will suffice to shatter me.
-Georgie.
That doesn't sound like you.
-Because Napoleon said it.
-Oh.
-Good.
-Well, I'm going home tomorrow
and retire of my scrapbooks.
-Write a book.
You always wanted to.
With the story you
have to tell, it'll
be the greatest book to
come out of World War II.
-Well, maybe.
But to spill the beans on
people like the Beatle, I-- I'd
hate to do it.
-Love to do it.
-I'd love to do it.
Of course, I will continue
to wear my Eisenhower jacket,
so that everyone can
kiss my backside.
It is not I who have
lost the Athenians,
but the Athenians
who have lost me.
-But I hate the rubbish.
Well, we sure left them
a mess to clean up.
Not a living thing.
Not even a chicken.
Am I getting soft?
I did most of it,
heroes like me.
Trains do something to me.
Make me sad.
I'm wandering forever
at the earth again.
Did you ever read Of
Time and the River?
-No.
-We hurtle onward in the
darkness, down a million roads.
GENERAL PATTON (VOICEOVER):
When papa died,
I was too late for the funeral.
For an hour I stood there.
And I realized that the
grave no more held papa
than did one of
his discarded suits
still hanging in the closet.
Suddenly, I seemed to
see him in the road,
wearing his checked overcoat
and waving his stick as he used
to do when he was
impatient with me.
-I salute not you, papa,
but this last resting place
and the beautiful
body I've loved.
Your soul is with me.
And but for the
density of my eyes,
I could see you
and talk with you.
Oh, darling papa.
I stopped calling you
that when I grew up.
But you were, and
are, my darling.
I never did much for you, and
you did everything for me.
[TRAIN WHISTLE]
-I drank so much
beer last night,
my gut feels like a beer glass.
-Yeah, it looks like
one too, Dexter.
-Hah hah.
-Melvin, you got the hiccups.
-No.
-You guys know what hiccups are?
-No, what?
-Messages from departed spirits.
-Hey, come on, you jokers.
Move it or get--
-Look at that, four stars.
There's only one four star
left in the European Theater.
It's got to be Old
Blood and Guts.
It's the old man himself.
Hah.
-Come on, come on.
-Son of a bitch.
-Oh my God.
Sir.
Are you hurt?
-Not a bit.
-How do you figure?
-Out.
-General, sir.
-My, my neck hurts.
I'm having trouble breathing.
Work my fingers for
me, will you Hap?
-Sure.
Here.
-Of all the stupid
idiot things to happen.
Damn it all to hell.
Go ahead, Hep, work my fingers.
Lieutenant, you'd
better take charge.
I don't think we should
move the General.
-Yes, sir.
I'll get an ambulance.
I'll be right back.
-Here it comes.
[AMBULANCE SIREN]
-Day before I'm
supposed to ship home.
Isn't that ironic?
-General, I'm Doctor Snyder.
-Hep, I think I'm paralyzed.
MAN: Keep back, please.
Keep back, move back.
Move back.
-I'm so sorry, sir.
-I don't hold you responsible.
You're a good driver.
Is Englebert all right?
WOODY: Yes sir, he's fine.
-You take care of
him for me, will you?
-Yes, sir.
And Willie too.
-Yes, sir.
-Woody.
-Yes, sir?
-Take care of yourself.
-God bless you, sir.
-All right, take off.
Go.
Go.
[AMBULANCE SIREN]
MAN: Lieutenant,
are you all right?
-I have to get
back on the horse.
I've got to finish the race.
MAN: All right, come on.
Let's go.
They're here.
WOMAN (ON INTERCOM):
Colonel Ball,
please report to Emergency.
DOCTOR: Wipe that table.
WOMAN (ON INTERCOM):
Colonel Ball,
please report to emergency.
DOCTOR: Be careful
with him, boys.
WOMAN: We'll get
the blood samples.
DOCTOR: Good, then transfusions.
Lines in both arms.
Lips are cyanotic.
WOMAN: Get the suture tray.
DOCTOR: Use the [INAUDIBLE]
position, no jarring.
And Bertha, keep him on the
stretcher for the time being.
I don't want to
jostle him around.
MAN: How are the reflexes?
WARREN: I'm not
getting anything.
There's no evidence
of fracture, though.
DOCTOR: Warran you'd better
get the portable x-ray machine.
We can't take him up there.
-OK but I'll need some help.
That thing weighs
about 600 pounds.
DOCTOR: Bertha, cut away
his clothes immediately.
BERTHA: Yes, sir.
DOCTOR: Don't remove the
portions underneath him.
GENERAL PATTON: Damn.
-What is it, General?
-I was just thinking, a hell
of a way to start a vacation.
WOMAN: Now General,
stop fussing.
GENERAL PATTON: Watch out with
those scissors, that's all.
I may not have much feeling
down there now, but--
WOMAN: Don't worry, General.
Bertha's been doing
this for years.
Not a casualty yet.
GENERAL PATTON: Cut away.
MAN: These are handsome
revolvers, General.
Ivory handles.
GENERAL PATTON: Try it.
I've made as many as 15
successive bulls eyes.
MAN: I'll keep them
in the strongbox.
BERTHA: There, General.
WOMAN: Diastolic pressure
is improving, Doctor.
DOCTOR: Good.
Transfusion's running OK?
WOMAN: Yes, sir.
And the pulse is steadying now.
WOMAN (ON INTERCOM):
Colonel Ball,
please report to Emergency.
Colonel Ball, please
report to Emergency.
MAN: Color's coming
back to normal.
No sign of hematoma in
the temporal region.
DOCTOR: Good.
WOMAN: 110 over 76.
DOCTOR: Good.
Pulse?
-A regular 60.
-It was 45 and south
when he came in.
-Congratulations, General.
You're doing just fine.
Does this hurt?
-No.
-Well, General.
You seem to be in good form.
I'm Colonel Ball.
-In good form, maybe.
Definitely not good
shape, Colonel.
-General has no
sensation from here down,
but we're x-raying shortly.
-General, can you move your
arms, your legs at all?
-Very good, General.
-All I want is for you to patch
me up and get me out of here.
My wife's expecting me at home.
[COUGHING]
-See that?
-We noted that.
It's the one reflex he
has whenever he coughs.
-If there's no
doubt in your minds
that I'm going to be paralyzed
for the rest of my life,
let's cut out all this crap
right now and let me die.
-This is the0 main present.
-I think he'll like it.
-Well, I hope so.
You know your father
hates presents.
But the salesman
said it's the most
practical hunting
jacket they had.
-Don't worry, mother.
He'll love it.
-Oh, I hope so.
[PHONE RINGS]
Ruth, darling, would you
get the phone, please?
-Hello?
Oh, hello, Fred.
Yes, she is.
Just a moment.
It's Uncle Fred.
-Thanks.
Fred?
I are you?
What?
When?
How serious is it?
Yes, of course.
Call me back as
soon as you know.
I'll-- I'll be here.
Your father's been in
an automobile accident.
He's in a hospital
in Heidelberg.
-Mother.
How bad is it?
-They don't know.
But I've got to go right away.
-Do you want me to go with you?
-No, no dear.
-Mother.
He's been in bad shape before.
He's going to be all right.
Yes, of course he is.
-Now, General, when
did you last urinate?
-When was it?
10:00 AM.
I can't remember.
Who keeps a log on that?
-Where'd you get all
these scars, General?
Take a look at this, Colonel.
-Souvenirs of battle?
-I'm sorry to disappoint
you gentlemen,
but my only battle scar
is that wound on my rump.
I got it in 1918.
It's a hell of a place
for a soldier to get shot,
I can tell you that.
Truth of the matter
is, I turned around
to see that my men
were following me.
-We believe you, General.
-You better believe me.
Most of the others are from
football or riding horses.
I've broken my
nose, both ankles,
both legs, all kinds of rigs.
Gashes, cuts,
scrapes, you name it.
I've been kicked in
the head by horses
more times than I can remember.
You think it shows?
Some people think it shows.
-Colonel, Father White is
here to see the General.
-Hello, Father.
-Afternoon, Colonel.
-Janet, how are you?
-Just fine, Father.
Father White's here, General.
Are you a Catholic?
-What difference does that make?
In my condition, I can use
all the help I can get.
Come on in, Padre.
Just keep it brief
and to the point, hm?
Trouble is, most preachers--
when there's nothing more
to be said, they're
still saying it.
-Very good, General.
-General Case, sir.
My name's Major Boardman.
I'm PRIO at this hospital.
-Major.
What's the word
on General Patton?
-Not good, I'm afraid, sir.
The General's in serious
condition, in Emergency.
-May I see him.
-Will the General wait here?
I'll see what can be done.
-Very well, Major.
-Thank you, Father.
I don't know what you said,
but you sure did me some good.
WOMAN: Colonel, it's
the Protestant chaplain
to see the General.
-Well, send him in.
Another one more
or less won't hurt.
Let him go to work on me.
MAN: We have the x-rays, sir.
-Unstable fractured dislocation.
-No, I'm sorry sir.
I can't tell you anything
about the General's condition.
You'll just have to wait
until Major Morgan comes in.
-OK.
-Gentlemen, please.
Now, ladies and gentlemen,
my name is Major Morgan.
I'm the public relations
officer in this hospital.
-Well what's going on, Major?
-How bad is he?
-I have only one thing to say.
There will be no medical
bulletins issued today.
It's far too early for the
exact nature of the injuries
suffered by General
Patton to be known.
-Is it true that he's paralyzed.
-Will he live?
-Thank you, thank you.
That's all I have to say today.
-Over there, Hap.
Go on, I'll get some coffee.
You want anything to eat?
-No.
-Black?
-Yes.
-Here.
-Thank you.
-Well, I guess the
news hounds have
all gone home for the night.
-Yeah, but they'll be
back and force tomorrow.
-Well, don't worry.
I think tomorrow I'll
authorize Colonel Ball to bar
the press from the
hospital altogether.
I don't want a big nuisance
You'd better get some sleep.
You look awful.
-To lead armies
through two world wars.
And then to have this happen.
It's crazy.
Falling off a car seat
and breaking your neck?
-Georgie's going to have
the best there is, Hap.
One neurosurgeon's coming from
the States and one from Oxford.
-He's got to live, Chief.
He's got to write a book.
Only this morning
we were talking
about him writing a book.
-His memoirs could be the most
important book of the times.
-Exactly.
What's his condition?
Hi-- his true condition?
They don't tell me anything.
-Colonel Hill's diagnosis,
supported by x-rays,
spinal column behind
the neck fracture
at third and fourth vertebrae.
Patient breathing with
only one side of diaphragm.
Bladder and bowels paralyzed.
All sensation below
the neck absent.
Crutchfield tongs have
been fastened in the skull
to provide traction
to the spinal column.
-My name is Kerwin, Lieutenant
Colonel Walter Kerwin.
I'm serving as temporary
aid to Mrs. Patton.
She's been waiting for
two hours and Colonel
Sperling hasn't arrived yet.
I think he's coming on
a C47 from Kentucky.
If you find out
anything, call me back.
-Mrs. Patton.
-Yes.
-I'm Colonel Sperling.
I've just arrived.
Sorry to be so late.
-Thank you for coming,
Colonel Sperling.
I know you've had to
change your plans.
-Mrs. Patton, I wouldn't want
to be anywhere else but here.
-Thank you.
-Now, what do you
say we go to Germany
and see that husband of yours?
-That is an excellent idea.
-Now, Miss Gordon,
normally I'd say no.
It's against
hospital regulations.
But you are family.
-Thank you, Colonel.
-Your uncle's in here.
He was sleeping last
time I walked in.
Colonel Hill prefers
he not be disturbed.
-Of course.
I just want to be
with him for a moment.
I promise not to wake him.
-Maybe you can come
back again tomorrow.
Why don't you call me?
It'll be a full
day for him though.
-No, I won't be back.
And please, Colonel,
don't tell him I was here.
-Georgie, it's not over for me.
It never will be over.
-Good morning, General.
-Good morning, Colonel.
-Sir, I have something here
that I'm sure will please you.
Dear General Patton.
I am distressed at the painful
accident which you have
suffered, and want
you to know that I
am thinking of you at this time.
You have won many a
tough fight, and I
know that faith and courage
will not fail you in this one.
I am thankful that
Mrs. Patton will soon
be at your side to
strengthen and sustain you.
With prayerful wishes
for your recovery,
Commander in Chief, former
Captain Harry S. Truman.
-It's funny, isn't it?
The men become vice presidents
who were never intended
by party or god to be president.
Yet, I think he'll
do a good job.
I would like you
to thank those four
soldiers who shared
their blood with me.
Will you be sure to do
that for me, please?
-Yes, I will.
I'll check back later.
That fragrance.
You notice it, Colonel?
It's like perfume.
-Pam?
I thought I saw you.
You're early.
-I couldn't sleep.
This is one patient I
don't want to be late for.
If you want, you can sign out.
-Really?
Oh, thanks.
-I'm so nervous.
How is he?
-He woke up at 5:00
and talked my leg off.
Be sure to check the tongs.
They refuse to stay in place.
-OK.
-Colonel Hill discussed
the case with you?
-Yes.
-Good.
Now, I had to give him
sedation, and even then he
was awake a lot.
Oh, and he hates the IV
bottles being in sight.
He counts those drops
like they were sheep.
A neurosurgeon is flying in
this morning with his assistant.
-But there's one
coming from the States.
-They're not taking any chances.
-Bertha.
Is the General a-- well,
you know, difficult?
-He's a doll.
Don't worry, you'll like him.
He's rough and sort of cute.
-Well I guess I'm ready to
beard the lion in his den.
Might as well get it over with.
-They say he likes pretty women.
-Oh.
-Yeah, he's going to love you.
-Good morning, young lady.
-Good morning, General.
-I feel much better today.
I can move the index
finger of my right hand.
Look.
-Well, that's wonderful.
Let me see.
Go ahead.
Well, I think so.
I do see a slight movement, yes.
-I'm sorry sir,
but I don't know.
-Look honey, all we want
is some simple facts.
He's paralyzed, right?
Well, that's what the rumor is.
So how much paralyzed?
Completely?
Partially?
-The first bulletins will be
issued this afternoon detailing
his progress and twice
daily thereafter.
-How do we get
through to this dame?
-Oh yes, of course
General Keyes.
[KNOCK AT DOOR]
Come in.
Well, we'll do that right away.
Well, thank you very much, sir.
Yeah.
-Colonel, get well
messages from everywhere.
They're swamping us.
Here's one from
Lady Dove Cooper.
And listen to this, "you
will conquer this battle
as brilliantly and courageously
as you have all the others."
Winston Churchill.
-Well, that should boost
the General's morale.
Anyway, forget that just
for a moment, Nancy.
Take this down.
And get it to the
staff immediately.
It won't help your people
very much in the communication
center, but it
will make everybody
else's job just a bit easier.
By order, General Commanding
Seventh Army, press and radio
reporters are herewith
barred from the hospital.
-Thank you, Colonel.
-And they will not be
admitted inside the date,
except at such time as a press
conference is authorized.
-Well, this is some way to
treat the American Press.
-Sorry, ma'am.
-You don't look sorry.
-That Major is rude.
We're only doing our job.
-That smug little jerk.
He really enjoyed
telling us to march.
-Certainly rude to me.
-Well, they haven't
heard the last of it.
The freedom of the
press is involved here.
-I only asked her
if the General's
privates were paralyzed.
And she turned and
walked away from me.
I call that rude.
If I weren't a lady, I'd--
-She sure could have fooled me.
-Yes, I've always liked
Catherine Cornell.
Extremely good actress.
Saw her twice in the
Barretts of Wipole Street.
Splendid performer.
-Last time I was in
London I saw the Lunts
in There Shall be No Night.
-Oh yes, by that
fellow Sherwood.
Did you like it?
-Yes, very much.
-I hated it.
-Would you close
your eyes, please?
Feel that?
-I think I feel something.
Yes, I-- yes I do.
-Where?
-My chest on the right.
-Good.
-Right thoracic wall,
patient localizes.
And now?
-I think so.
Are you touching one of my legs?
-Patellar tendon, unsure.
So, Haymarket in the blackout
was one nasty spot, hm?
Pitch dark and play girls
tumbling all over each other.
-I was there during World War I.
-Look up at the ceiling,
would you please?
I think the Haymarket's
pretty much the same
as it was then, really.
-In one respect, it
hasn't changed at all.
-Oh, what's that?
-A chippy who was
somewhat past her prime
wanted to take me home.
-There you go.
And what was your
response to this
aged enchantress of the evening?
-I told her, I'm sorry,
grandma, but you're just one war
too late.
-Your prognosis?
-Uncertain, gentlemen.
My examination confirms
your diagnosis.
-Do you recommend any changes
in our present treatment?
-I should recommend
forcing more fluids.
Keep the room cool, on the
favor of traction, of course.
But I'd say, increase
to 10 pounds.
And I'd dispense with
the tongs and using
these zygomatic hooks instead.
-Yeah.
Fishhooks under the cheekbones.
It's painful.
But you're right, it
probably is necessary.
-I, uh-- have the queerest
sensation in my hands,
as if my skin and flesh were
trying to fall off my bones.
It's the strangest feeling,
like I was shedding my body.
Maybe I'm shuffling
off this mortal coil.
-Well, the fact it's a
sensation could be a good sign.
-Dying has always intrigued me.
The Hindu says it's the most
exalted experience in life.
Did you know that?
-No, I didn't.
I'm not afraid, only curious.
So up heroes and
forth they went,
away from battleground,
fortress, tent,
mountain, wilderness,
field, and farm.
Death and the
General, arm in arm.
-Well, Georgie, I'd say the
greatest man in the world
was your grandfather.
You want to know why?
-Yes, sir.
-Because he died
for his country,
leading his troops into battle.
He died at the head of brave
men, he carried a sword.
Do you understand that?
-Yes, sir.
-One of the regrets of my
life is that I'll never
have the opportunity to
die such a glorious death.
No man can choose
how he's born, a man
is lucky if he can choose the
circumstances of his death.
And by that choice,
signifies life.
-He carried a sword?
-He was a Brigadier General.
And on that last cavalry
charge, he ride a white horse.
And he carried a sword.
-Hello, Georgie.
-It's good to see you, Bea.
-I've seen you in
these scrapes before.
You always come out all right.
-Would you like to stay
at my place tonight, Bea?
-No thanks, Jeff.
I'd rather stay here.
Perhaps at one of the
rooms down the hall?
-Of course.
We'll arrange that.
-Whatever you say.
-I'll be here all night long.
-Now, if there's anything
you need or want,
please don't hesitate.
Just let me know.
-There are just a few things.
No visitors.
DOCTOR: Agreed.
-Even if they claim to
be family relations,
not unless I clear it.
-Don't worry about that, Bea.
-And under no
circumstances is General
Bedell Smith to be admitted.
Please understand,
under no circumstances.
-I understand.
-This is a list of books
I'd like to read to Georgie.
-We'll get right on it.
-Thank you for
everything you're doing.
I hope for the best, I'm
prepared for the worst.
I just want you to know,
you can level with me.
DOCTOR: Tendon
reflex is hyperactive
in both lower extremities.
A definite sweating
in the C5 dermatome.
-Sounds like I'm one step
away from an autopsy.
-Really, General.
-That's not funny, George.
-Sorry, Bea.
-I apologize for getting
you out of this wild goose
chase, Colonel.
I'm particularly sorry since
it looks like you won't be
able to spend Christmas
with your family.
-Well, General, with
all the kids under foot,
I don't think anybody
will have time to miss me.
-I don't believe that.
You'll be missed all right.
-Well, at the
moment, the General
seems to be in fairly
stable condition.
He's holding up remarkably well.
Barring unforeseen
complications,
I think he's out of
danger, as far as
saving his life is concerned.
-Gentlemen, I'm sure you realize
that for all kinds of reasons,
it's absolutely imperative
that he survive.
I don't care what it takes.
Do whatever you can
to keep him alive.
[PHONE RINGS]
-Yes, what is it?
All right, I'll tell him.
-Colonel, General
Patton wants to see you.
Alone.
-You doctors amaze me.
-How's that?
-Repairing human
wreckage the way you do.
But I don't know if you'll
be able to repair this wreck.
-Well, we'll give it a try.
-There's a hell of
a lot at stake here.
-Of course.
-I don't mean just me.
You see, I'm convinced that
we'll be at war with Russia
within five years.
Maybe not the same kind
of war as the last one.
Not with that nuclear thing now.
I see things changing,
but war nevertheless.
Those sons of bitches.
They're going to push us hard.
If there is war, I've got to
be around to fight, too lead
soldiers.
That's all I can do,
but I'm the best.
Do you understand?
Dammit, Colonel.
I don't need to just live,
I need to live to fight.
-I understand how you feel.
-So-- I want to know.
I want you to tell me.
What chance do I
have to recover?
-You're doing so much better
than the usual patient
with a cervical cord injury.
But it's just impossible to
give you a forthright answer.
After all, if the cord's been
severed or severely damaged
at the movement of impact,
your chance to recover
would be very slight.
On the other hand, if the cord
was only slightly shaken up--
-Will I ever ride a horse again?
-No.
-I see.
The best I have to hope
for is semi-invalidism.
Invalidism?
-General--
-Thank you, Colonel,
for your honesty.
I prize that in a man.
-Ladies and gentlemen.
If you care to follow me
into the conference room.
REPORTER: About time.
REPORTER: Let's go.
-May we have it quiet, please?
Thank you.
As you know, this
conference is being
held in lieu of the
regular bulletin
usually given at 6:00 p.m.
-Sorry I'm late.
-This press interview is a
major concession for the media,
since we as doctors are
essentially violating
the sanctity of the position
and patient relations.
And due to this
fact, we may decline
to answer those questions
which we deem improper.
I'd like to introduce
Colonel Glen Sperling.
Colonel Sperling has
served throughout the war
as a chief neurosurgical
consultant in Europe.
And most of you are familiar
with Major Kenneth Morgan,
our public relations officer.
REPORTER: Yeah, we sure are.
-I'm Lieutenant
Colonel Paul Hill.
I guess we can begin.
REPORTER: What color pajamas
does the General wear?
And are they his own
or government issue?
-Government issue.
REPORTER: Colonel,
over here please.
-I'd like to know if the
General takes orange juice
or grapefruit juice
with his breakfast.
-Orange juice.
REPORTER: Colonel.
-Is he using much
profanity in the hospital?
And could you give
us some examples?
-No, I couldn't.
REPORTER: Sir, can we ask, what
of his nurses is his favorite?
-I believe he has no favorites.
-Does the general
have a paralyzed face?
-Madam, please.
Thank you.
BEATRICE PATTON (VOICEOVER):
Dear Ruth Ellen.
I'm in my little
room at the hospital,
directly down the hall
from your father's.
I spend most of
each day with him,
reading aloud from the books
he's loved through the years.
It helps to take his mind
off the present situation,
and it helps me too.
BEATRICE PATTON: "This
willful and resonant man,
clanvoyant and egotistical,
had flirted with destiny
and frequently seduced fate.
Now his long pursuit was
yielding its supreme reward.
He was passing into history."
BEATRICE PATTON
(VOICEOVER): He knows
how worried I am,
whether I show it or not.
And he tries to calm my fears.
Good He's always said that I
knew what was best for him.
I wish to God I did now.
He's in the hands of
others, strangers to me.
BEATRICE PATTON: "Thought
there were no more
worlds to conquer
at the age of 33.
Wellington was 44 at Waterloo,
while Napoleon and Hannibal
were burned out by
the time they were 40.
All I can
BEATRICE PATTON (VOICEOVER):
All I can do is watch helplessly
as they keep him occupied with
myriad discomforting chores.
BEATRICE PATTON: "Shouting
at the top of his voice.
Attack, you miserable cowards.
What are you waiting for?
You can't live forever."
BEATRICE PATTON
(VOICEOVER): But we
will ride out the
storm together.
BEATRICE PATTON: "He
spared neither pain, care,
nor trouble to
arrive at his end.
And this applied as much to
little things as to great.
He was, one might say, totally
given over to his object.
He always applied all his needs,
all his faculties, all this
attentions to the action or
discussion of the moment."
-Thank you, Bertha.
-Did I get everything?
-Yes.
You see, Colonel, Napoleon
was a man completely
wrapped in his own destiny.
A supreme egotist and an
isolated, self-centered man who
relied on himself alone.
Go-- go ahead, Bea.
BEATRICE PATTON: "Into
everything he put passion,
hence the enormous advantage
he had over his adversaries.
For few people are
entirely absorbed
by one thought, or one
action, or one moment."
-What a prophet he was.
He said there would
be no independence
or liberty without great armies.
And look what has
happened to what was,
the greatest Army in history.
Just six months ago,
the American Army
is being disbanded
(COUGHING)
-All right, Georgie
it's time to stop.
You'll tire yourself out.
You're supposed to listen, not--
[WHEEZING]
-I've just given
him a mild sedative.
Don't worry, he'll
be all right now.
-Thank you, Colonel.
COLONEL SPERLING: And I'll
be right down the hall.
Just go easy on
the talking, huh?
-Yes, I will.
-It provokes the congestion.
Now, you behave yourself.
We'll get you into a
neck and shoulder cast.
And we'll get rid
of these hooks, OK?
Good night, Mrs. Patton.
BEATRICE PATTON:
Good night, Colonel.
-You've always been at your
best when the chips were down.
-Shh, now you
heard what he said.
-How long has it been?
How many years?
-You know, 35.
You put up with a
lot from me, Bea.
Any other woman would have
left me a long time ago.
-I'm not any other woman.
-No, that's right.
You're not.
You've always been the most
important person to me.
There is no one else.
-Georgie, you don't
have to say anything.
-The mark of gentility.
Sweetheart, so much of your
life has been spent waiting.
-Georgie, do you remember
when you landed in Africa?
I can't describe my
feelings when the news came
over the radio that you had
made your landing successfully.
That you had done exactly
what you wanted to do.
And I thought, this
man is his own star.
He commands all light,
all influence, all fate.
And I knew there'd
be months, maybe
years of waiting
anxiety ahead of me.
And yet, all I could
think of was your triumph.
That the first jump was taken.
That you'd never have
to take it again.
And I told myself,
God is with us.
He'll always be with us.
And the thought that you
loved me rang through my mind
like a peal of bells.
You loved me.
BEATRICE PATTON: "As
a youth, T.E. Lawrence
thought nothing of reading
half through the night,
lying on a rug or mattress, a
habit that had the convenience
of allowing him to
sleep where he lay."
GENERAL PATTON: Exactly what
did at Lake Vineyard as a boy.
Just like Lawrence of Arabia.
BEATRICE PATTON: "By
habit too, he developed"--
[COUGHING]
-He's all right.
-That's enough for now anyway.
-You did a fine
job on the collar.
-Is he eating his porridge
like a good bear, Lieutenant.
-No, but you're right about
the bear part, Colonel.
-A man must eat, General.
-A man must eat, though
every tree were a gallows.
-There he goes again,
talking like that.
Shame on you.
[WHEEZING]
-Will this never end?
DOCTOR: Hang on, General.
-I'm so tired of
just hanging on.
-I found this at the Pietz.
-Why not?
Doctor's orders.
We'll add it to your
regular medication.
-But only one teaspoon when
your condition calls for it.
We'd better keep
this between us, huh?
-You tell the girls.
-Good.
Let's all have a drink.
For the medal of
honor I never got.
And from now on, I make
you my official bartender.
-Lieutenant.
-Yes, sir.
-Lieutenant Hogen has
been detained in the lab.
She asked if you'd
check her ward for her.
-Oh, sure.
I'll do it right now.
-All right.
Thank you.
-Do you men know
what time it is?
-Where's old
Swivelhips Hodecker?
-She's been detailed in the--
-Hey Nursy, wanna dance?
-Very funny.
Now get into bed, all of you.
Or I'll sick Nurse Hodecker.
-Say nurse, how's
General Patton doing?
-How is the old man.
You're his nurse, aren't you?
-He's doing just fine.
-How are his spirits?
Is he OK?
-Well--
-Yeah, I bet he's a real
colorful character, ey?
-Oh, he's colorful all right.
He won't take any
nourishment now,
unless he gets
some whiskey first.
-Whisky.
NURSE: That's right.
-What do you know?
-Flat on his back.
Those awful hooks, and all.
And still he--
no, that's enough.
-Do you think he'll
ever walk again?
-I said, that's enough.
No more questions.
Everybody turn in.
And if you don't
keep that radio off
I'll have Nurse
Hodecker sit on it.
-Lieutenant, good evening.
-Lieutenant Hodecker.
-The great Whisky Rebellion.
Poor Bertha.
Don't be too hard on her.
-And you don't mind?
-It's good for my reputation.
Besides, I can use all
the laughs I can get.
-Well, good.
No harm then.
I'll drop by later.
You comfortable?
-I'm OK.
I don't suffer, my friends.
But I do feel a certain
difficulty in existing.
-You awake?
-Is that you, Hep?
-Well, Georgie, I-- I
hear you're improving.
-Where'd you hear that?
I'll tell you, there's a lot
of lucky pheasants running
around because of
the fix I'm in.
-Yeah.
I-- I have something
to read to you.
-Yes?
-Mm-hm.
It's a letter from Ike.
-Forget it.
-Whatever you say.
-I don't want to hear it.
OK, go ahead and read it.
-Dear George.
You can imagine what
a shock it was to me
to hear of your
serious accident.
At first I heard it
on the basis of rumor
and simply did not believe,
thinking it only a story.
I immediately wired Frankfurt
and learn to my great distress
that it was true.
The real purpose of this
note is simply to assure you
that you will always
have a job, and not
to worry about this accident
closing out any of them
for your selection.
It is always difficult
for me to express
my true sentiments
when I am deeply moved.
You are never out
of my thoughts.
And my hopes and
prayers are tied up
in your speedy recovery.
With warm personal regards, Ike.
-All those years down the train.
What went wrong between us?
Hep?
-Yeah.
-Where'd you ever get
the first name Hobart?
I'll be seeing you soon.
-OK, George.
[KNOCK AT DOOR]
-Yeah, come in.
-You're looking for me?
MAN: Yeah, we have a problem.
-What?
-Washington does
not want General
Patton to die on German soil.
So we must prepare
him for shipment back
to the United
States immediately.
-That's impossible.
-That's Washington.
-Even if Patton were out of
danger, which he isn't, he
shouldn't be moved for at
least another six weeks.
Mobilization of plaster
casts leads to embolism.
-There must be some
political benefit
in having him die back home.
What about all his soldiers
who were buried in Germany?
Wouldn't they want
to be with him?
-Patton would.
Why?
I don't get it.
-Well General, it looks like
you'll be home for Christmas.
-I'm looking forward to it.
Even in this cement overcoat.
-Looks good, Bill.
-Thanks.
-I'll make good ballast.
-Yes sir, that's for sure.
-Just don't roll
me down the hill.
-We wouldn't do that.
[KNOCK AT DOOR]
BEATRICE PATTON: Come in.
HOBART GAY: Hello, Bea.
BEATRICE PATTON: Hello, Hep.
HOBART GAY: I-- I just
thought I'd check up on you.
Are you holding up?
-I guess so.
Georgie's fooled everyone
with his stamina and charm.
All except Colonel Hill.
I think he knows.
HOBART GAY: Knows what?
-That Georgie's slipping away.
A little more each day.
I can see it behind
the bluff and bravado.
-Don't say that.
BEATRICE PATTON: There's
something in the air.
Something mysterious, like
enchantment or the miracle
of birth.
Don't you feel it?
I wish to God transitions
weren't so painful.
Parting, we're
all fated to part.
Why should it seem so
sad melting into memory?
Anyway, I don't believe
death is the end.
I think we come back again
and again until we learn
whatever it is we're
meant to learn.
Otherwise this existence
would seem so pointless.
Georgie is an ancient man.
He'll be back as long as the
world needs a warrior's soul.
HOBART GAY: Bea.
-All these years I've had to be
the hard-fisted tough military
wife, facing every crisis like
a soldier without emotion.
But all the while, in
here, I tremble for him.
I'll see this through.
I won't break.
They're flying him to
Boston before Christmas.
-I know.
Is that wise?
-It's what he wants.
It's what I want.
REPORTER: It's been 10 days
since General George S. Patton
met with a freak highway
accident South of Frankfurt.
Even with a broken
neck, Old Blood and Guts
is apparently back
in command, loudly
demanding an occasional snort of
whiskey from his pretty nurses.
Word from inside sources is that
Patton is now sitting up in bed
and will soon be walking.
Good luck to you,
General, from all of us.
This is the voice of
Uncle Sam in Germany.
Sam--
MAN: Fools.
-Hello, George.
-Mm.
Hello.
Bea and I are very happy that
you're going to take us home.
How do I look?
-You look fine, George.
Just fine.
-You always were a lousy liar.
DOCTOR: How's respiration?
BERTHA: Erratic.
DOCTOR: It's that
embolism I was afraid of.
We can't make an
aortic examination
because of that cast.
-But you're telling me that
it's the beginning of the end.
-You told us to level with you.
-Oh yes, I remember.
How brave I was from
a safe distance.
You said there were new x-rays.
-Yes, this morning.
-And?
-There's an embolism in
the upper right lung.
We don't know
where it came from.
DOCTOR: We've
prescribed digitalis,
saline drip, protein.
-What is the matter with us?
Why can't we let him go?
[SINGING - LET IT SNOW]
-Were you dreaming?
-I don't know.
Something a long
time ago, I think.
BEATRICE PATTON:
Dreams are illusive.
-Catalina.
-What?
-My dream was Catalina.
-Was I in it.
-You?
'Course not.
-I don't believe you.
I was there.
And it was 1902.
And you were a
gangly boy, beanpole.
And I was a tomboy.
And we road together
all over that island.
And before the summer was
out, we had our understanding.
-How did you you know my dream?
That's exactly what it was.
-I was 15 then.
I still played the dolls.
-I was a child and she was
a child in this kingdom
by the sea.
-But we loved with a love
that was more than love.
-Beatrice?
-Georgie.
Georgie, you had two
beautiful horses.
Do you remember?
An all the boys,
they envied you so.
-Yes.
My father gave them to me.
-Yes.
-The black I named Galahad.
And the brown was Marmie.
-Marmie was such a fine horse.
And what a beautiful heart.
-I had a dog named Palvo
who slept in Marmie's stall.
I remember one night
going down to the stable
when I was supposed to be
studying and lying in the straw
beside Palvo, and
looking up at Marmie,
and thinking I must be the
luckiest boy in the world.
-Georgie.
You come back here.
-It's too dark.
I mean, too late.
[KNOCK AT DOOR]
-Come in.
-Bea, Sperling and I are going
over to the Officer's Mess
for dinner.
Why don't you come along?
-No, I should stay here.
-You've got to eat something.
Come on.
Georgie's fast asleep.
See?
Look at him.
He'll be all right.
-Well, all right.
BERTHA: Do you speak English?
MAN: Yah.
BERTHA: We ask that you please
remain on this floor only.
No scuffling, no
unnecessary conversations,
and only 20 minutes tonight.
We appreciate your coming.
Everyone's been
looking forward to it.
[CHILDREN SINGING CAROLS]
[SINGING - SILENT NIGHT]
-Papa.
[CHILDREN SINGING CAROLS]
NARRATOR: To learn more about
General George S. Patton,
The Library of Congress
suggests these books,
"The Last Days of Patton" by
Ladislas Farago, "The Unknown
Patton" by Charles M. Province,
"Victory in Europe, D-Day
to VE-Day in Full Color" by Max
Hastings and George Stevens.
These and other
interesting books
are available in your local
library and bookstore.
Visit them, they'll be happy
to help you read more about it.