Patton 360: The Complete Season 1 |  | Director: History
Actor: Various
Studio: A&E HOME VIDEO
List Price: $34.95
Buy New: $13.87
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Rating:  5 reviews
Sales Rank: 1784
Format: Box set, Color, DVD, NTSC
Language: English (Original Language)
Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Region: 1
Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
Number Of Discs: 3
Running Time: 470 Minutes
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.6
Dimensions (in): 7.6 x 5.4 x 0.6
MPN: 154780
UPC: 733961154788
EAN: 0733961154788
ASIN: B001OLP2T8
Theatrical Release Date: 2009
Release Date: October 27, 2009 (New: Last 30 Days)
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Features:
| • | PATTON 360: THE COMPLETE SEASON 1 (DVD MOVIE) |
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| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
Studio: A&e Home Video Release Date: 06/30/2009
Amazon.com
One of World War II's greatest and most controversial leaders is the focus of Patton 360, a three-disc, 10-episode offering from the History Channel. General George S. Patton, "Ol' Blood and Guts" to admirers and detractors alike, had already served in World War I when, at age 57, he was put in command of Operation Torch, the 1943 Allied campaign to seize North Africa from the pro-Nazi French forces who were occupying the area at the time. That's where Patton 360 begins; subsequent episodes chronicle his incursions into Sicily, Belgium, France (where his Third Army landed just weeks after D-day, and Operation Cobra, described as "the largest carpet bombing mission in military history," helped lead the way to victory in Europe), and finally Germany; it was there, some months after the war ended, that Patton died in a car crash. Scion of a wealthy Pasadena, California, family, Patton was a brilliant military man--his toughness, discipline (he insisted that his men shave every day and observe strict uniform requirements), and willingness to "lead from the front" were unquestioned. But as the series tells it, he was also a foulmouthed hothead accused of having a "lust for glory" that led to accusations that he put his own reputation before the safety of his soldiers. The fourth episode, "Rogue General," details the infamous incidents (also familiar to fans of the 1970 film Patton, which earned lead actor George C. Scott an Oscar®) in which he slapped two GIs in Sicily, accusing the war-weary men, one of whom also had malaria, of cowardice and forcing Allied leader Dwight D. Eisenhower to temporarily relieve Patton of his command. All of this is presented by way of the same ingredients used in the earlier Battle 360 series, combining file footage (including silent clips of Patton himself), photos, CGI, occasional reenactments, expert analysis, and reminiscences of several men who fought under Patton. There is plenty of edifying history delivered, as well as detailed descriptions of strategy, tactics, and weaponry, especially tanks and artillery. But the episodes are also loud and kinetic to distraction, with a constant and relentless background of pounding music and sound effects, flashing graphics, and macho voice-over narration. This may prove wearisome to some viewers, but Patton 360 is entertainment, not scholarship, and as such it is undeniably effective. --Sam Graham
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| Customer Reviews:
 Falls short of potential November 14, 2009
Nick
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
I was waiting for Patton 360 to come out on DVD for a long time, but I must say that I was mildly disappointed. Frankly, there was way too much going on. Instead of focusing on one aspect at a time, like the ground campaign or naval help, the show tried to tell the story of everything and everybody all at once. I understand that the producers were trying to be complete, but I think they sacrificed the personal aspects of the war. I loved Dogfights and Battle 360 because I was literally on the edge of my seat during some of the battles, but Patton 360 failed to deliver suspense. Perhaps Dogfights and Battle 360 was more condusive to showing a mano-a-mano fight than Patton 360 because Patton 360 focused more on strategy and the overall campaign than individual fights.
However, I found Patton 360 to be very enlightening. Obviously, I just described how it wasn't very good as a movie experience, but in terms of historical documentation, Patton 360 is excellent. I agree that it showed Pattons prowess both as a tactician and as a leader, going in depth about how his troops would be arranged and how he would lead from the front. Other documentaries I have seen focused entirely on his personal life or on his impact on the war, but this series showed his tactical strategies, something which I haven't seen much of.
tl,dr: Not that great as a movie and dramatic experience, but awesome as a documentary, 3.5 stars.
 An incredible series on the greatest American that has ever lived!! November 3, 2009
John B. Cimino
3 out of 5 found this review helpful
First off, anyone who has a problem with how General George S. Patton Jr. got things done doesn't understand war. Sure, in his private life he was flawed (who isn't) but when it came down to being a monster in the throes of war there was no one better than "Old Blood and Guts". Does anyone who thinks that General Patton was this crazed war monger understand what horrors existed in WWII? You can read about it and imagine it all you like but you needed to be there to truly understand the period from 1940 thru 1945. Patton was the quintessential fighting leader! With the strategic mind of Napoleon di Buonaparte, the charisma of Alexander the Great, the majesty of Julius Caesar, the willpower of William the Conqueror and the dedication and loyalty of George Washington, Patton was the perfect soldier to inspire all his men to do what was necessary in order to win against the bloody reality that was breathing down on the American dream. He was the RIGHT man at the RIGHT time and the RIGHT place!! Even FDR, Marshall, Churchill and Eisenhower knew this fact and despite Patton's controversial actions, put up with his aberrations because they had to. America and the world needed Patton and everyone knew it. Hitler and the entire Axis were fearful of Patton, even at the height of their own powers!! This just shows you how incredible Patton's mystique really was. The series; "Patton 360", does a beautiful job demonstrating the triumphs and tragedies that Patton had to endure during the war years. Any student of history would do well to look into this documentary, and see just how much of a genius the man was at a time when we really needed a leader like him. Anyone can sit behind their computer, television, book, etc., today and question many of Patton's methods. His accomplishments in war are just astounding, simply the greatest achievements in military history! He captured 81,000 sq. miles of territory (the size of France), he captured over 1,250,000 prisoners (nearly 5 armies) while his army was only about 250,000, he killed or wounded a 1/2 million Germans and he did all this at a faster pace than anyone in the history of war!!! All doubters must ask themselves; If you went to war and you had to put your life on the line and believe in someone who would lead you to victory, no matter what the cost, who would you choose? This was the genius of Patton,and in my humble opinion, Patton is GOD!!!
 Somewhere in the middle October 21, 2009
Peter T. Wolf (lake forest, ca United States)
9 out of 11 found this review helpful
Im between the two extremes of the previous reviewers. I disagree with the negative reviewer that the series did nothing to document Patton's tactical skill. On the contrary it did that quite well. Further, it documented the skills of his subordinate commanders which any student of WW2 WOULD be interested in. Also, it paid due respect to the skills of the German commanders. THIS the series did very well. Rommel and Kesselring are of course well celebrated in the espisodes. But outside of students of the subject, who knows that much about Manteuffel? Yet here he is given justified attention. So are the early battles against the Vichy French. Where I agree with the negative reviewer was the repetition of the simulated graphics and stock footage, although some of the footage IS rare. In short, the series could have been reduced in length and been more impactful.
3.5 stars.
 Terrible. October 7, 2009
MrMostly
7 out of 25 found this review helpful
I really had to force myself to watch this. The mindless repetition of the same graphics over and over was a real turn off. It is truly terrible. Used as filler, a very few clips of Patton prancing comically is shown every few minutes of the film. The computer generated graphics look like a computer game and do nothing to add to the production. The same grapics are shown over and over and over.
The narrative ignores numerous important facets of his career and primarily is celebratory to the hero. The film does little to make him unique in just what about his strategies and tactics made him noteworthy. Any student of WW2 will be disappointed by the complete lack of historical scholarship in this production.
Awesome series June 22, 2009
Robert K. Garrou (Pikeville, NC)
25 out of 27 found this review helpful
I knew General Patton was a great battlefield commander. Despite his flaws, he was still the right man to do the job of smashing the Hitler-Nazi machine. This what the series, Patton 360, brings out. It clearly portrays the genius of a man driven to wreak havoc on the enemy. I never realized, until now, just how much of a struggle it was to win back France, and the obstacles that had to be overcome. I have no doubt that if Patton was given full sway, the war might well have shortened by almost a year. But judge for yourself. Watch or buy the series. Enjoy the clever and artful way computer graphics have been combined with historical footage to give a complete and exciting story of World War II's most controversial but successful general - and appreciate how America always seems to come with a man at the hour of her need or peril.
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