The WW2 battles of General George S Patton, from North Africa, to Sicily, to France, Belgium and Germany.
Using a similar format as the producers used in Battle 360 - the WW2 history of USS Enterprise - an examination of the WW2 history of George Patton. Quite interesting and edifying, covering many lesser-known battles and campaigns as well as the well-known ones. In addition to seeing the bigger campaign picture we often see the fighting at platoon level. Interviews with living veterans of Patton's battles adds a human touch to proceedings.
Good use of CGI, though the graphics do feel a bit basic.
Good narration that doesn't paper over Patton's flaws.
However, it's not all good. The 'experts' that are wheeled in to provide an analysis of Patton and his tactics are largely just cheerleaders, providing empty platitudes. Particularly irritating was the US Army Sergeant Major who had absolutely nothing useful to say the entire series, yet said a lot. Everything he said was just superficial gung ho nonsense. After a while I mentally shut him out, and this helped relieve the irritation.
The other annoying thing was the repetition of previous information. After every ad break spot the producers would take about 2 minutes to recap what we had already learned. Pads the series enormously.
Take out the cheerleading experts and the recaps and we would have had a series of about 6-7 episodes, instead of 10, with no annoying bits, and an almost perfect documentary series.
Using a similar format as the producers used in Battle 360 - the WW2 history of USS Enterprise - an examination of the WW2 history of George Patton. Quite interesting and edifying, covering many lesser-known battles and campaigns as well as the well-known ones. In addition to seeing the bigger campaign picture we often see the fighting at platoon level. Interviews with living veterans of Patton's battles adds a human touch to proceedings.
Good use of CGI, though the graphics do feel a bit basic.
Good narration that doesn't paper over Patton's flaws.
However, it's not all good. The 'experts' that are wheeled in to provide an analysis of Patton and his tactics are largely just cheerleaders, providing empty platitudes. Particularly irritating was the US Army Sergeant Major who had absolutely nothing useful to say the entire series, yet said a lot. Everything he said was just superficial gung ho nonsense. After a while I mentally shut him out, and this helped relieve the irritation.
The other annoying thing was the repetition of previous information. After every ad break spot the producers would take about 2 minutes to recap what we had already learned. Pads the series enormously.
Take out the cheerleading experts and the recaps and we would have had a series of about 6-7 episodes, instead of 10, with no annoying bits, and an almost perfect documentary series.