This week many older residents in Knutsford will look back on that day following the death of US actor George C Scott.

For the gravel-voiced actor will always be remembered for his 1970 portrayl of the American war hero in Patton: Lust for Glory - a film partly shot in Knutsford.

It's a tribute to the film-makers that they chose Knutsford for the powerful scene.

But those who can remember that far back say it was not perfectly authentic.

The film in 1969 was shot in the Old Town Hall in Toft Road and was the donut dugout so famous from the movie.

Scott engrossed himself in the character of Patton, who was stationed at Peover Hall, reading 13 autobiographies and having the same breed of dog in the film.

But he refused to mimic the general's effeminate voice.

Patton's controversial speech - delivered in Knutsford - centred on how Britain and America would administer Europe after the Second World War - with no mention of the Russians.

It could then be argued that infuriated Stalin, led to Russian troops heading for Berlin and Japan, the atomic bombs being dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki and the start of the Cold War.

Patton then went to take his Third Army though Europe after the D-Day landings.

"Rather than a conqueror, he was a liberator of villages, towns and cities," said local historian Ken Oultram.

George C Scott, who died last week at 71, won his only Oscar for his role as Patton.

But the hard-drinking American rejected the showbiz glamour of Hollywood and watched a game of ice hockey instead.

The acclaimed method actor referred to it as 'an orgy of self-adulation' and 'self-serving meat parade'.

The annual Patton memorial lunch will be held on November 13 at the Royal George Hotel. Tickets are available from Ken Oultram on 01606 891303

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