Patton

Character mistake: While General Patton is in Malta as a decoy for a fake Greek invasion, he gives some aides a tour of the fortifications there and tells them that they were "defended by 400 Knights of Malta and 800 mercenaries against a force of 40,000 Turks." He is referring to the Siege of Malta in 1565, but the date he gives is 1528.

Character mistake: In Bradley's first briefing with Patton in Tunisia, he mentions the German tanks were diesel as opposed to American tanks using gasoline and more prone to burn if hit. Actually, all German tank engines used low grade gasoline. Only a few captured Russian T-34 used diesel and none of those reached North Africa.

Factual error: In one scene of the film, Rommel is shown wearing a swastika pin. Rommel was not a member of the Nazi party and refused to wear any Nazi insignia (outside of uniform symbols which contained it), instead he wore the traditional Prussian Iron Cross.

More mistakes in Patton

Capt. Richard N. Jenson: What are you doing there, soldier?
Soldier getting up from floor: Trying to get some sleep, sir.
Patton: Well, get back down there, son. You're the only son of a bitch in this headquarters who knows what he's trying to do.

More quotes from Patton

Trivia: As Patton and his convoy are coming into town, Patton's half-track mistakenly flattens a few live chickens. (00:16:55)

Hans Deutsch

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Question: How accurate is Patton's temper?

Answer: Very accurate, almost spot on, as veterans who served under him during WW2 would attest after seeing the film "Patton." The real life difference between actor George C. Scott and the real General Patton was his voice- unlike the gravel voice that Scott possessed, Patton had a high voice that would get higher the angrier he got.

Scott215

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