General Bradley's done a tremendous job with 2nd Corps.
He's moved into Bizerte and taken over 41 ,000 prisoners.
Good. Very good.
You're not surprised, are you? After all, you trained that outfit.
-Excuse me, general. -Hm?
This is interesting. We've discovered Rommel wasn't present at El Guettar.
-Who says so? -G2, sir.
When we took 1 0th Panzer, Rommel was in Berlin with an earache?
Severe nasal diphtheria, sir.
Also, Hitler probably retained Rommel in Berlin. . .
. . .because things were going badly for the Africa Corps.
He didn't want his favorite general to lose face.
I'm my favorite general, and I don't like to be told. . .
. . .that some second-stringer is up against me. Then I lose face.
Who the hell are you, anyway?
CARVER: General, this is Lieutenant Colonel Codman. Your new aide.
Codman. I pulled your name off the list because I know your family.
I'm glad you did, sir.
Rommel is the best the krauts have, and I kicked the hell out of him.
Now my own G2 section is telling me he wasn't even there.
But, general, he undoubtedly planned the German battle.
lf you defeat Rommel's plan, you've defeated Rommel. lsn't that true?
Codman. . . .
-Have a drink with me tonight. -Yes, sir.
I have a plan for the invasion of Sicily.
I want to make sure I get it approved. You can help me.
I want to give a dinner for General Alexander.
Get to him before Montgomery does.
This will be strictly a formal affair, Codman, but purely social.
By that I mean. . .
-. . .purely political. -Yes, sir.
I want the finest food, the best wine available. Everything, comme il faut.
(SPEAKS lN FRENCH)
(SPEAKING IN FRENCH)
(SPEAKS IN FRENCH)
Thank you.
George, this is really splendid wine.
Thank you, Arthur.
Thank you.
Sir Harold, I think it was Alcibiades in the Peloponnesian War. . .
. . .41 5 B.C.
He said, "lf Syracuse falls, all Sicily falls, and then ltaly. "
He knew that Syracuse was the jugular of the island.
Old Alcibiades always went for the throat.
I propose to take Sicily in the same way.
-How's it going? -The old man has them in his pocket.
PATTON: Now, according to my plan. . .
. . .General Montgomery will land here.
I'll hit the beaches here, take Palermo.
Monty will drive north on the coast, I'll come due east. . .
. . .take Messina and cut off the German escape route.
Yes. . . .
It looks like an interesting plan.
Well, gentlemen, to the conquest of Sicily.
ALEXANDER: To the conquest of Sicily.
OFFICERS: To Sicily!
George, you'd have made a great marshal for Napoleon. . .
. . .if you'd lived in the 1 8th century.
But I did, sir. I did.
Morning. Is General Smith in?
MAN: I believe he's in the lavatory. -Thank you.
-Ah, there you are, Bedell. -Monty.
Bedell, I've been giving a good bit of thought to the Sicily operation.
Yes?
I assume we're alone.
Georgie Patton has already discussed his plan with Alexander.
I realize that. . .
. . .but I have an idea that his plan may lead to an absolute disaster.
Oh?
Bedell, look.
This is Sicily.
Now then, according to Patton's plan. . .
. . .I will attack Syracuse here.
And he would attack Palermo up here.
Now, obviously our forces would be divided.
And obviously, they could be chopped up piecemeal.
Now then, what I propose, and what I shall insist on, by the way. . .
. . .is this.
(MONTGOMERY EXHALES)
I will land at Syracuse as planned.
But the Americans-- The Americans will land here, at Gela.
I will advance north to Messina, the Americans protecting my flank.
After all, Messina is the key.
It's the reason for invading Sicily.
I'll discuss your plan with Ike.
I'm sure he'll give it serious consideration.
-Amusing, isn't it? -What?
That the plans for the invasion of Sicily. . .
. . .should have been put forward in an Algerian lavatory.
George, I have bad news for you about your Sicily plan.
Ike has turned it down.
Since the Italians will be defending their native soil for the first time. . .
. . .and the German resistance is stiffening, we shouldn't be divided.
-Well, where do my people land then? -In the Gulf of Gela.
There's nothing there but a beach.
Yes, but it puts you in a good position to support Montgomery.
Where does Montgomery land?
He'll land in Syracuse and drive north to Catania. Possibly even Messina.
And you'll be alongside, protecting his left.
I see.
ln other words, we get the burden again while good old Monty gets the glory.
Ike had to consider all points of view.
He made his decision not as an American, but as an Ally.
Had it been the other way around, I assure you, Monty would protest.
No. . .
. . .I've been in the Army 30 years.
When I get an order, I say, "Yes, sir. " And I do my best to carry it out.
This is what happens when your commander stops being an American. . .
. . .and starts being an Ally.
I don't think I've made myself clear, sir.
It's true, Montgomery met the toughest resistance there at Catania.
However, if we're--
Perfectly clear.
Old Monty is as stuck as a bug on flypaper.
But this order from General Alexander. . .
. . .directing you to turn over the Vizzini-Caltagirone road to Montgomery.
Well, then, old Bradley will have to slug-- slug, mind you. . .
. . .his way up center of the island over those tough mountain roads, won't he?
Yes, sir.
Messina, Bell.
Messina. . .
. . .is the heart of it. lf they'd followed my plan, I'd be there by now.
I'd cut off the retreat of every German on this island!
Now, you know what I'm gonna do?
I'm gonna go to Palermo.
I'm gonna beat that limey at Messina if it's the last thing I ever do!
Hey, what's all this talk about taking the Vizzini road away from 2nd Corps?
General Alexander's orders. Road goes to Montgomery.
Now, that road was assigned to me.
How can I get north without it? You know the terrain there.
I'm sorry, Brad. But Monty's run into tough opposition. Very tough.
You wouldn't be taking advantage of this situation, would you?
I don't know what you're talking about.
Without that road, your army, except for my 2nd Corps. . .
. . .would be out of a job.
Free for you to go into Palermo.
Who said anything about Palermo?
I can read a map.
Does Alexander know you've pushed out this far?
That's a reconnaissance in force.
George. . .
. . .are you saying I've got to slug it out in those mountains. . .
. . .with heavy resistance?
Just so you can make a bigger splash than Monty?
General. . .
. . .I just follow my orders.
Like the simple old soldier I am.
General Bradley.
Sir, General Alexander has heard we're moving west.
He says here, "Stop immediately. Go no farther than Agrigento.
Repeat. Stop, immediately. "
That's what you think it says.
I think it was garbled in transmission.
Ask them to re-transmit the message.
That'll take half a day at least.
Yes, sir.
Now, Brad.
Where were we?
We were talking about a simple. . .
. . .old soldier.
Look at that, gentlemen.
Compared to war. . .
. . .all other forms of human endeavor shrink to insignificance.
Let's go, sergeant. Move out!
Give me that helmet.
Come on, let's get out of here!
What silly son of a bitch is in charge of this operation?
I don't know, but they ought to hang him.
PATTON: Afternoon, Padre.
PADRE: These men are here from the States, looking over our program. . .
. . .for the spiritual welfare of the men.
We'll take you right into Palermo.
Col. David toured us around your quarters. . .
. . .and I saw a Bible by your bed. Do you actually find time to read it?
I sure do.
Every goddamn day.
Sir, Patton's taken Palermo!
Damn!
(CHEERING)
(BAND PLAYS)
Palermo's the most conquered city in history.
First the Phoenicians. . .
. . .the Romans, Carthaginians, Byzantines.
Then came the Arabs. . .
. . .Spaniards, Neapolitans.
Now comes. . .
. . .the American Army.
This is from General Alexander, sir. . .
. . .reminding you that you are not to take Palermo.
Send him a message, Cod.
Ask him if he wants me to give it back.
PATTON: Let me ask you a question for a change.
You've just come from Washington.
How do they feel about our boys taking Palermo?
The general impression is, your army barreled through token resistance. . .
. . .while Montgomery faced the brunt of the fighting.
Don't they know we took on the Hermann Göring division?
Toughest outfit in the German Army.
The people at home are interested in you.
They're curious about your pearl-handle revolvers.
They're ivory. Only a pimp from a New Orleans whorehouse. . .
. . .would carry a pearl handle.
What about your language?
When I want it to stick, I give it to them loud and dirty.
What do your troops feel about that?
I don't want these men to love me. I want them to fight for me.
Ernie Pyle says you have a secret weapon here: General Bradley.
Ernie calls him "The GI General. "
Omar Bradley is no secret. He's a damn fine commander.
MAN: What's your feeling about Montgomery?
PATTON: He's the best general the English have.
He seems more concerned with not losing than he does about winning.
He's not aggressive enough, is that correct?
Look, I've been getting into a lot of trouble lately.
Yesterday, the office told me that my Italian prisoners. . .
. . .didn't have enough latrine.
They didn't know what a latrine was till I showed them.
lf I've said anything too critical of my British colleague. . .
. . .let's forget about it.
I will tell you one thing, though. Off the record.
I'm gonna beat that. . .
. . .gentleman to Messina.
Ah, Freddie. Do you realize what this madman Patton is saying?
He's going to save our skins by taking Messina.
This report might interest you.
Here I am in these bloody marshes, fighting malaria and Germans. . .
. . .while he's taking Palermo and getting all the glory.
Well!
Now he's up against three good German divisions and he's stuck.
He's not going to get Messina.
That's reserved for the British 8th Army and me.
(BOMBS EXPLODING)
It's time for a move, Lucian. Terry Allen's 1 st Division is bogged down.
You're bogged down too.
What we need is another end run just to break things loose.
-Lucian. How's my fighter? -Fine, George.
Come in, come in. We need another one of your amphibious specialties.
Lucian, I want you to send a reinforced battalion by sea. . .
. . .to make a landing up here at Brolo behind the kraut lines.
You want me to do a land-based attack.
Right. I want a coordinated attack the morning of the 1 1 th.
I don't think we can make it by the 11 th.
-Hell, it's only 1 5, 20 miles. -My boys have been dying for yards.
Hm.
Maybe you better kick a few butts if you have to.
I recommended you for your DSM in your last promotion.
I know what you can do when you put your mind to it.
Excuse me, sir.
I'm sorry, but I can't do the impossible.
You're too old an athlete to think you can postpone a scheduled match.
You're an old athlete yourself. You know matches are postponed.
lf we can't back Lucian up by land, our end run could be a disaster.
Those men might get caught on the beach and cut to pieces.
-What's the matter? BRADLEY: All we're saying is. . .
. . .not to rush in until we're ready.
Give him an extra day.
Just one more day.
The landing is on.
We're going to Messina.
We're going to get there before Montgomery does.
-What's so important about that? -General Truscott. . .
. . .if your conscience won't permit you to conduct this operation. . .
. . .I'll find somebody who can.
General, it's your privilege to relieve me anytime you want to.
This match will not be postponed.
Any questions?
No, sir.
You're a very good man, Lucian.
You want to guard against being too conservative.
Remember what Frederick the Great said:
''L 'audace, I'audace! Toujours I'audace!''
Go on, have a drink.
Excuse me, sir, I won't be drinking for the next couple of days.
lf anything happens to those men, I'd like to be there with them.
You're not going, so forget about it.
You believe Truscott's right?
No.
But you're gambling with those boys' lives. . .
. . .just to beat Montgomery into Messina.
lf you pull it off, you're a hero, but if you don't. . . .
What happens to them? The ordinary combat soldier.
He doesn't share in your dreams of glory, he's stuck here.
He's living out every day, day-to-day, with death tugging at his elbow.
There's one big difference between you and me, George.
I do this job because I've been trained to do it.
You do it because. . .
. . .you love it.
The men on the beach are catching hell, general.
The men are doing their best. We have no replacements.
I can't break through to the coast.
I'm going down there myself.
PATTON: Colonel!
How did he get over there?
PATTON: What the hell are you waiting for?
Looking for a place to ford, general.
I sent a patrol to reconnoiter.
PATTON: I've done that. Down there this sewer's no more than 3 feet deep.
Get that outfit cranked up or you'll be out of a job!
-And put that helmet on. -Yes, sir.
Move it! Let's go!
-What's holding up this column? -I don't know, sir.
Planes!
Come on, move it!
Pull up over there.
-Come on. -What's going on here?
Sir, these mules--
Jackasses!
You let a column get stalled and strafed on account of two jackasses?!
(GUNSHOT)
No. No.
Now, dump them over the side and clear this bridge!
We're pinned down because we can't get air support!
Nobody's getting any air support!
Put fire into this battalion, or I'll get somebody who can.
Major!
-You the executive officer here? -Yes, sir.
-Your name? -WaIker.
You're now commanding officer.
You've got 4 hours to break through that beachhead.
lf you don't make it, I'll fire you.
50,000 men on this island would like to shoot that son of a bitch.
Please take me home. Take me home.
-There he goes, "Old Blood and Guts. " -Yeah, our blood. His guts.
Hi, how are you, son?
Where are you from, Gomez?
California, sir.
Me too.
-Where were you hit? -In the chest, sir.
Well. . .
. . .this might be interesting to you. The last German I saw had no chest.
Didn't have any head either.
You get well quickly, son.
What's the matter with you?
I guess I just can't take it, sir.
What did you say?
It's my nerves, sir.
I just can't stand the shelling anymore.
Your nerves?
Hell, you're just a goddamn coward.
Shut up!
I won't have a yellow bastard crying. . .
. . .in front of these brave, wounded men.
Shut up!
Don't admit this yellow bastard. Nothing wrong with him.
I won't have sons of bitches afraid to fight stink up this place of honor.
You're going back to the front, my friend.
You may get shot, you may get killed, but you're going up to the fighting.
Either that or I'll stand you up in front of a firing squad.
I should shoot you myself, you bastard! Get him out of here!
Send him up to the front!
You hear me? You goddamn coward!
I won't have cowards in my army.
I had to kick a few butts. . .
. . .but Truscott finally broke through to those people on the beach.
Have you seen the casualty lists?
Yes, I've seen them.
What's the word from the coast road?
The 3rd Division's east of Brolo, heading toward Messina.
Let's get over there. I want to go in with the troops.
You go ahead, George. I'm not very good at that.
General Bradley. . .
. . .it's time to consider how many casualties we'd have. . .
. . .if we were still crawling on that goddamn road.
Forward, march!
Don't smirk, Patton. I shan't kiss you.
Pity. I shaved close this morning to prepare for getting smacked by you.
Forward, march!
You wanted to see me, George?
Got a letter here from Ike.
I was rereading Caesar's Commentaries last night.
In battle, Caesar wore a red robe to distinguish him from his men.
I was struck by that fact because--
"Despicable. " First time anybody's ever applied that word to me.
Well, at least it's a personal reprimand, it's not official.
The man was yellow. He should've been tried for cowardice and shot.
People have taken a lot worse than a little kick in the pants.
I ruffled his pride a bit. What's that compared to war?
Two weeks ago at Palermo they said I was the greatest general. . .
-. . .since Stonewall Jackson. -Now they draw cartoons about you.
Dirty bastard!
They got me holding a little Gl and kicking him with an iron boot.
You see that, what's on my boot? A swastika.
On my boot. An iron boot with a swastika!
"You will apologize to the soldier you slapped. . .
. . .to all doctors and nurses present in the tent at the time. . .
. . .to every patient in the tent who can be reached. . .
. . .and last but not least to the 7th Army as a whole. . .
. . .through individual units, one at a time. "
God, I. . .
. . .feel low.
PATTON: Oh, God...
... Thou art my God.
Early will I seek Thee.
My soul thirsteth for Thee.
My flesh longeth for Thee in a dry and thirsty land.
So as I have seen Thee in the sanctuary.
My soul followeth hard after Thee.
But those that seek my soul to destroy it...
...shall go into the lower parts of the earth.
They shall fall by the sword.
They shall be apportioned for foxes.
But the king shall rejoice in God.
Everyone that sweareth by him shall glory.
But the mouth of them that speak lies...
...shall be stopped.
Ten-hut!
PATTON: At ease.
I thought I'd stand up here and let you people see. . .
. . .if I am as big a son of a bitch as some of you think I am.
I assure you I had no intention. . .
. . .of being either harsh or cruel in my treatment of the. . .
. . .soldier in question.
My sole purpose was to try to restore in him. . .
. . .some appreciation of his obligations as a man. . .
. . .and as a soldier.
lf one can shame a coward. . .
. . .I felt one might help him to regain his self-respect.
This was on my mind.
Now, I freely admit. . .
. . .that my method was wrong. . .
. . .but I hope you understand my motive. . .
. . .and will accept this. . .
. . .explanation. . .
. . .and this. . .
. . .apology.
-Dismissed. -Ten-hut!
Good evening, general. I want to report on a private poll I'm taking.
What poll?
The fan mail.
Eleven percent con, 89 percent pro.
And that 11 % of protest, in most cases, is both obscene and anonymous.
But the pro letters are mostly from relatives and servicemen.
"I want you to know we're proud our son is serving in your army.
From the newspaper, we're not clear exactly what you did and why. . .
. . .but we want you to know we're for you.
Keep going, and God bless you. "
Keep going, huh?
Where?
I thought you might like a sip of wine, general. It's New Year's.
You didn't celebrate at all last night.
I'm sick of sitting around this. . .
. . .royal doghouse.
We've taken Sicily. I'm ready for a new assignment.
Maybe you've got it. Here's a radio message, just came in.
Cod.
I've been relieved.
They've relieved me from command of the 7th Army.
I don't believe it.
Happy New Year.
Just a minute, sir.
Since they're sure to give you another command. . .
. . .isn't it logical they'd relieve you here first?
You mean command of all American troops going into Europe?
It's possible. I know it's been discussed from time to time.
The logic of it is so obvious, it couldn't mean anything else.
Sir, I'm going to open this bottle of wine.
No, Sir Cod. . .
. . .but if you find a bottle of cognac, I'll help you drink it.
-How you feeling tonight, general? -Not bad, not bad at all.
-Get me some writing paper, will you? -Yes, sir.
Your wife ever give you the devil for not writing?
All the time, sir.
Only I don't write as often as you do. Don't seem to get around to it.
Lucky for us we got them.
Who wants to marry a couple of broken-down old horse captains?
That's what my wife says to me every time I come home, sir.
Why are you up so late, George?
Thought you'd like a nice hot bath or something.
I got this sleeping pill from the doc, just in case you need it.
Sleeping pill!
-What's going on here? -I heard the news, sir.
-They announced it on the radio. -What news?
About General Bradley, sir. How they gave him the top American command.
Oh.
Oh, yeah.
I just thought you might be feeling kind of low, sir.
Your writing things, sir. Here on the desk, sir.
Yeah. Thank you, George.
One little dog face.
One measly little slap. That's what done it.
Ah, George.
I wish I'd kissed the son of a bitch.
(CLAPPING)
(PATTON SPEAKS IN FRENCH)
He's paying tribute to the Free French Forces under DeGaulle and Leclerc.
(SPEAKS IN FRENCH)
And to the people of the Resistance. . .
. . .who risk their lives to help destroy the Germans.
"France will be free again. I give you my word. "
"Just as Free French troops liberated Corsica, Napoleon's place of birth. . .
. . .I will someday land in France to liberate the birthplace of Lafayette. "
General, the reporters would like a word with you.
-Good afternoon. -General.
Can you tell us the purpose of this visit to Corsica?
General Eisenhower ordered me here.
You wrote the mother of the boy you slapped, "The rat should've been shot. "
-Is that true, general? -No comment.
Sir, I understand Gen. Alexander suggested. . .
. . .you take over Gen. Clark's Italian campaign. . .
. . .but it was killed due to the incident.
-No comment. -Can you say where you're going, sir?
Off the record, Eisenhower's ordered me to Malta.
Interview concluded.
You plan on slapping any soldiers there, general?
PATTON: In 1 528, these forts were defended by. . .
. . .400 Knights of Malta and 800 mercenaries. . .
. . .against a force of 40,000 Turks.
Codman.
-Still no word from Gen. Eisenhower? -No, sir.
Not even a response about the two turkeys I sent for Christmas?
No, sir.
Go ahead, gentlemen. Take a closer look for yourselves.
Looks like you boys have hitched your wagon to a falling star.
Pass the word. If anyone wants out, I'll understand.
Sir, I can speak for the entire staff.
We want to stay with you, no matter what duty you're assigned to.
Up in London, they're planning the invasion of Europe.
I've trained my mind, body and spirit for that.
What, in God's name, am I doing here?
All right.
Let's get on to Cairo.
See if the pyramids are still standing.
-This place is for me? -Yes, sir. This way, sir.
Whoever found it has a genius for cloak and dagger.
Who picked this cathouse?
I think it was Gen. Smith, sir.
To spite me, that son of a bitch.
-Welcome to London, Georgie. -Bedell. How are you?
-Is Ike here? -He asked me to brief you.
Would you excuse us, please?
Let me put you straight about Ike.
We hear a lot about you criticizing his decisions.
Not really. You know me. I'm just an old fool.
At times, I do wonder whether he isn't a limey at heart.
George, this is the toughest coalition ever attempted in history.
Ike's trying to hold it together and lick the Germans at the same time.
-It's a hell of a job. -I understand.
You have an important assignment connected to the Normandy invasion.
Good. I've studied the Overlord Plan and there's a number of flaws in it.
You can't depend on Monty taking Cannes by D-day. He'll never make it.
I've drawn up an alternate plan to land at Calais. . .
-. . .following an air bombardment-- -Will you just listen for a change?
Ike stood by you when everyone, I mean everyone. . .
. . .wanted Patton with a rope around his neck.
We're gonna let it leak out that you are here undercover.
That you're preparing to invade at the Pas de Calais.
We hope to pin down the German 1 5th Army there. . .
. . .so that they can't be used against us at Normandy.
Is that all I'm good for?
We're going to build an army of 1 2 divisions around you.
All fictitious, of course.
Dummy troop concentrations, dummy landing craft. . .
. . .simulated radio traffic.
The Germans are convinced that you will lead the main invasion effort.
Their agents will spot you soon. . .
. . .then we can move you to Knutsford.
-What do I do there? -Nothing. Absolutely nothing.
Frankly, George, you're on probation.
Take my advice and behave yourself.
Remember. . .
. . .your worst enemy is your own big mouth.
(BAND PLAYS)