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Heartwarming / Patton

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  • While touring the shambles of his new headquarters, Patton finds one soldier asleep on the floor. He says he's trying to get some sleep, and rather than discipline him, Patton lets him get back on the floor, because he actually knows what he's trying to do.
  • A trio of kids walks up to Patton and salutes him. Without losing his intimidating scowl, he returns it.
  • Bradley gives Patton his report on Kasserine, and mentions that some of the men "just got plain scared." Patton is understanding, stating that even the best foxhound is gun-shy the first time out. He then recounts how, when he was a young soldier, nothing terrified him more than a bullet coming straight for his nose.
  • Patton arrives at a field hospital, to present medals of bravery to a wounded soldier. He finds the soldier unconscious, and quietly presents the medals with almost no witnesses. Patton then kisses the soldier on the forehead. It's a moving and sympathetic moment...
  • After the slapping incident, Patton is reduced to giving tours to visiting press around Malta instead of being involved in the upcoming invasion of Europe. He tells his aide Colonel Codman if he or any of the other officers want to be re-assigned to another post he'll understand. Codman responds: "Sir, I can speak for the entire staff. We want to stay with you. No matter what duty you're assigned."
  • The final voiceover:
    Patton: "For over a thousand years, Roman conquerors returning from the wars enjoyed the honor of a triumph - a tumultuous parade. In the procession came trumpeters and musicians and strange animals from the conquered territories, together with carts laden with treasure and captured armaments. The conqueror rode in a triumphal chariot, the dazed prisoners walking in chains before him. Sometimes his children, robed in white, stood with him in the chariot, or rode the trace horses. A slave stood behind the conqueror, holding a golden crown, and whispering in his ear a warning, that all glory is fleeting...
  • For those with religious conviction, Patton's request of a prayer for the weather to clear shows that the arrogant, hot tempered general had the humility to accept that someone was greater than himself and worthy of consulting- Almighty God.


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