The Last Days of Patton

The Last Days of Patton is a 1986 American made-for-television biographical drama film and sequel to the 1970 film Patton, portraying the last few months of the general's life. George C. Scott reprises the role of General George S. Patton, and Eva Marie Saint portrays Beatrice Patton, the general's wife. It was directed by Delbert Mann.

The Last Days of Patton
GenreBiography
Drama
Based onThe Last Days of Patton by Ladislas Farago
Written byWilliam Luce
Directed byDelbert Mann
StarringGeorge C. Scott
Eva Marie Saint
Murray Hamilton
Ed Lauter
Richard Dysart
Theme music composerAllyn Ferguson
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
Production
Executive producerRobert E. Fuisz
ProducersAlfred R. Kelman
William F. Storke
Production locationsWandsworth Town Hall, Wandsworth High Street, Wandsworth, London, England
Harlaxton Manor, Harlaxton, Lincolnshire, England
CinematographyDennis C. Lewiston
EditorBill Blunden
Running time146 minutes
Production companyEntertainment Partners
Original release
NetworkCBS
ReleaseSeptember 14, 1986 (1986-09-14)
Related
Patton

Plot

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As a result of General George S. Patton's (George C. Scott) decision to use former Nazis to help reconstruct post-World War II occupied Germany (and publicly defending the practice), General Dwight Eisenhower (Richard Dysart) removes him from that task and reassigns him to supervise "an army of clerks" whose task is to write the official history of the U.S. military involvement in World War II.[1]

Shortly thereafter, on December 9, 1945 (a day before he was to transfer back to the United States), Patton is involved in an automobile accident that seriously injures his spinal column, paralyzing him. As he lies in his hospital bed, he flashes back to earlier pivotal moments in his life, including stories his father told him of his grandfather's service during the American Civil War which inspired him to attend the United States Military Academy at West Point, his marriage to his wife Beatrice (Eva Marie Saint), and his championing of the use of tanks in the United States Army.[2]

President Harry S. Truman and other government officials, not wanting Patton to die on German soil, orders that he be transferred to a stateside hospital. Preparations, including a full plaster body cast, are made, but Patton dies of an embolism on December 21, 1945.

Cast

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Awards and nominations

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Year Award Category Nominee(s) Result
1987 39th Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Achievement in Makeup for a Miniseries or a Special
Del Acevedo, Eddie Knight, and Alan Boyle
Won
Outstanding Achievement in Music Composition for a Miniseries or a Special Nominated

References

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