Movie buffs of all ages will love reading about the film Patton. But do they know where was the movie Patton filmed? Well, this biographical war drama was shot in many locations, and it’s fascinating to learn about the details behind the scenes. From the cast and crew to the surprising film facts, this blog will have you glued to your screen for hours on end. So sit back, relax, and enjoy learning all you can about one of the most influential and iconic movies of all time!
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Synopsis Of Patton
There’s no better way to learn about history than by watching a film about it. And that’s exactly what you’ll get with Patton. This biographical film tells the story of World War II general George S. Patton and his experiences in the military, from Sicily to the Battle of the Bulge.
The star-studded cast includes Tom Hanks as General Patton, Gary Oldman as General Eisenhower, Rosanna Arquette as Rose Vallandingham, David Strathairn as Dwight D. Eisenhower, Kenneth Branagh as Bernard Law Montgomery, and Ciarán Hinds as Rommel. Based on historian Martin Scorsese’s book of the same name, Patton is sure to captivate moviegoers of all ages.
The Cast & Crew Of Patton
Patton is a 1970 American epic biographical war film, directed by Franklin J. Schaffner. Francis Ford Coppola wrote the film script in 1963 based largely on Ladislas Farago’s 1963 biography Patton: Ordeal and Triumph, and A Soldier’s Story.
Cinematographer Fred J. shot the picture. On a 65 mm scale, Koenekamp’s 150 is shown. After The Bible: At the Beginning(1966), it was only the second film to be shot in that format.
It is no secret that the cast and crew of Patton are a close-knit bunch. The film stars George C. Scott as Patton and Karl Malden as General Omar Bradley.
Some other important characters were played by George C. Scott as Lieutenant General George S. Patton, Karl Malden as Lieutenant General Omar N. Bradley, David Bauer as Lieutenant General Harry Buford, Edward Binns as Lieutenant General Walter Bedell Smith, John Doucette as Major General Lucian Truscott, Michael Strong as Brigadier General Hobart Carver, Peter Barkworth as Colonel John Welkin.
Where Was The Movie Patton Filmed? Filming Locations Patton Took Place
If you’re a fan of the film Patton, then you’ll definitely want to check out the filming locations!
The movie was filmed in 71 places in six countries, mostly in Spain but with a few scenes shot in the United States. Surplus equipment from World War II. Patton driving up to an old city in the ancient Roman Mauretanian city of Volubilis, Morocco, was filmed in one scene depicting Patton approaching an old city.
A royal palace of Madrid was used to film the early scene, in which Patton and Muhammed V are inspecting Moroccan troops including the Goumiers. The night before, one surprise battle scenario was filmed, which sparked concerns in the Royal Palace area that a coup might occur. Power lines electrocuted one paratrooper, but the film does not include any of the battle footage.
The ceremony for the welcome center in Knutsford, Cheshire, England, was shot at the actual location. Almeria is Spain’s south was used to film the sequences set in Tunisia and Sicily. On the other hand, France and Germany utilized Pamplona in the north.
The winter settings in Belgium, on the other hand, were filmed near Segovia (where the production crew raced when they learned that snow had fallen) for the Battle of the Bulge sequence. Though the fact that the interior shots were shot in Seville.
Besides, some shots were taken primarily in Oklahoma and Missouri, but also included scenes shot in Georgia,
Italy, Morocco (Rabat, Casablanca), Texas, north Africa, and California.
7 Surprising Film Facts About Patton
While the movie is well-known for its emotional and wartime scenes, there are a few surprising film facts that you may not know. For example,
- Patton was originally written as a screenplay by the late Aaron Sorkin, who also wrote The Social Network and Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip.
- The opening scene where General Eisenhower (played brilliantly by Robert Stack) orders Patton to lead his troops into battle was almost cut from the film.
- In an early version of the script, Patton included scenes in which John Wayne fired his gun at a group of Japanese soldiers while they were on board a train.
- At one point, Universal wanted Patton to be a biopic of George S. Patton Jr., but the studio then substituted his father in its place because John Wayne was not available at that time.
- Patton’s wife, Beatrice (played by Jessica Walter on the television show “Seinfeld”), wonders why he is being attached to a team who will inevitably fight each other and become embroiled in a bloody war. The answer given was that this historical episode represents an ultimate clash between democracy and fascism; good versus evil.
- When the movie was originally released in 1945, reviewers complained that they were being short-changed on all of the material about Rommel and other Axis leaders.
- Before the film was released, some critics had allegedly warned John D. McComas of The New York Times that he would have a hard time finding any coverage for Rommel because most historians believed “Hitler will eventually win.”
Achievements Of Patton
The picture had its first public premiere in New York City on December 4, 1969, and a benefit showing at the Criterion Theatre in New York the following day before its roadshow debut.
In its first week, the film earned around $51,000. To break even, the picture required $22.5 million in theatrical rentals, and the studio had made $27.6 million by 11 December 1970. Eventually, it made a gross of $61.8 million and returned worldwide rentals of $45 million, including $28.1 million from the United States and Canada.
In 1971, the film was nominated for 10 Academy Awards at 1971 ceremony. Moreover, Patton received seven Academy Awards, including best picture, best director, best film editing, and best original screenplay. For his depiction of General Patton, Scott also received an Academy Award for Best Actor, but he refused to receive it. Scott’s introductory speech, which he delivers as General Patton with a massive American flag behind him, is an iconic and often referenced cinema moment.
Patton was listed as “culturally, historically, or aesthetically important” in the Library of Congress’s United States National Film Registry in 2003. Patton was also preserved by the Academy Film Archive in 2003.
Francis Ford Coppola and Edmund H. North were elected by the Writers Guild of America in 2006. North’s screenplay was voted 94th best in history by the Writers Guild of America.
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FAQs On Where Was The Movie Patton Filmed
If you are eager to learn more about this epic war film then keep reading the following FAQs too.
How accurate was the movie Patton?
The movie Patton is mostly accurate, though it omits some key details. For example, the general did not actually say “I want you to go out and kill every German you see,” as the film depicts.
Who turned down the role of Patton?
The role of Patton was turned down by George C. Scott.
What did George C Scott think of General Patton?
The opinion of George C Scott may vary depending on the individual.
However, some sources that may provide insight into Scott’s opinion of General Patton include an article entitled “George C. Scott Remembers General Patton”. It was published in the August 8, 1972 issue of Life magazine, and an interview with Scott was conducted by Maurice Steinberg for the PBS documentary series American Experience.
What were some of the challenges faced during production?
Some of the challenges faced during production include weather conditions, laborers’ productivity, and material shortages.
What is Pattons real name and how did he get his nickname “Old Blood and Guts”?
Patton was originally named George Patton III. He was nicknamed Old Blood and Guts after his father, General George Patton II.
Where Was The Movie Patton Filmed? Conclusion
After reading this blog, you should now be well-informed about the film Patton and all the amazing cast and crew involved.
We hope you got a compact idea about the filming locations and some of the surprising facts that made this film so special. Be sure to visit these places if you’re interested in learning more about the movie. The filming locations provide a unique insight into the era and setting of the film, and can even help you spot some of the film’s landmarks.
So go ahead, take a trip down memory lane and explore the filming locations for yourself! Then, why not take a moment to share your thoughts about the blog on social media? We would love to hear from you!
