The Last Days of Patton

The Last Days of Patton is a 1986 made-for-television film sequel to the 1970 film Patton, which portrays 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. The film was directed by Delbert Mann.

General George S. Patton

• I have done my best, and the rest can go to hell. When a man's done his best, what more is there?

Dialogue

[In September 28, 1945, George S. Patton goes in his office with Dwight Eisenhower.]

GA Dwight Eisenhower: So, the Nazis are just like Republicans and Democrats, George.

GEN George S. Patton: They twisted my words. I was trying to make a point.

GA Dwight Eisenhower: You made it, all right. [Reads newspaper] In the New York Times, you created a major scandal!

GEN George S. Patton: I withdrew the remark.

GA Dwight Eisenhower: Well, that'll do a lot of good now. Sit down. [Patton sits on the chair silently] George, the war was about Nazis. And for you to say they were just another political party.

GEN George S. Patton: That isn't what I meant.

GA Dwight Eisenhower: These SS troops you're holding.

GEN George S. Patton: What about them?

GA Dwight Eisenhower: You got them drilling like they're going into combat tomorrow.

GEN George S. Patton: Well, they look like bums. I'm trying to give them back their self-respect.

GA Dwight Eisenhower: SS units don't need self-respect. We don't want them to have self-respect. Now, I don't believe this, but I've been told that you'd like nothing better than to provoke a showdown with the Russians and combine those SS troops with your Third Army!

GEN George S. Patton: That's crazy.

GA Dwight Eisenhower: Crazy is right! But is it true?

GEN George S. Patton: No, sir, it is not! But I have to admit, I wouldn't mind having a crack at those mongrels.

GA Dwight Eisenhower: What Mongrels? Those Russians are our allies. I've said this to you 100 times, and you persistent in these hostile statements.

GEN George S. Patton: I disagree with you, that's all.

GA Dwight Eisenhower: You can't disagree with me! It's not a matter of op-op-opinion. It's a matter of policy. You will carry out my policies. [Pause] Now, about this Schaefer situation.

GEN George S. Patton: Uh, that's under investigation.

GA Dwight Eisenhower: I appointed you administrator of Bavaria. And you retained the minister president who employs 20 Nazis in his cabinet, 20!

GEN George S. Patton: Where did you get that information?

GA Dwight Eisenhower: Norin. Professor Walter Norin. He's our expect on de-Nazification.

GEN George S. Patton: Probably a communist in disguise.

GA Dwight Eisenhower: I checked this out myself! This Schaefer has 16 Nazi friends in agriculture and 4 in finance, all cases for mandatory removal under my instructions.

GEN George S. Patton: I can't disrupt the administration of Bavaria over some vague accusations. My Anglo-Saxon ancestry makes me reluctant to remove people without due process of law!

GA Dwight Eisenhower: Due process!

GEN George S. Patton: I will carry out your wishes to the letter.

GA Dwight Eisenhower: And in spirit?

GEN George S. Patton: [Whispers] And in spirit.

GA Dwight Eisenhower: About this Wangenheim you ride with.

GEN George S. Patton: He's a fine horseman! Won a gold medal in the '36 Olympics.

GA Dwight Eisenhower: [Flatly] He was a Colonel in the SS.

GEN George S. Patton: So I understand.

GA Dwight Eisenhower: And that's all you understand?

GEN George S. Patton: Look, Ike, I realize sometimes I'm a... political embarassment to you. But Bavaria is running like a clock! I've got that place moving, we're building, and we're going to be on our feet before any other part of Germany! But, if it is an embarassment to you, if it's causing you problems with getting into the White House-

GA Dwight Eisenhower: What did you say?!

GEN George S. Patton: I think you'd make a great President!

GA Dwight Eisenhower: Oh, don't give me that crap!

GEN George S. Patton: I'd campaign for you myself!

GA Dwight Eisenhower: Shut up, George! Listen! If you think that what I've said is motivated by personal interest, you're badly mistaken. And you're impugning my honor.

GEN George S. Patton: There's nothing dishonorable about seeking political office.

GA Dwight Eisenhower: It's your mouth, George! You can't control it, you never could- and I'll tell you something else. It's getting so bad that people think there's something wrong with you. Now, I admire your good qualities, but I've got to face facts. You're just no military governor. I believe it would be in your best interests if you gave up command of the Third Army.

GEN George S. Patton: You're relieving me?

GA Dwight Eisenhower: I'm transferring you. General Gerow is going home. I'm giving you command of the Fifteenth Army in Bad Nauheim.

GEN George S. Patton: The Fifteenth? It's a paper army, they're writing the history of the war! That's no army, they never fired a shot!

GA Dwight Eisenhower: No one has to fire any more shots, George! That's something you've got to understand! The war is over! Now, I admire you. Your audacity, your ability. But, those very qualities that made you great in wartime are a pain in the neck in peacetime! [Long pause] If you're planning on spending the night, of course you're welcome to stay with me. But, I imagine you'd rather get home as soon as possible?

GEN George S. Patton: [Nods and gets up] Yeah. I'll leave now. [Patton walks off, as he getting the scruff, and jacket, open the door as he leaves Eisenhower's office, and he walks away as Eisenhower silently stands in his office.]