Combat! reviews by Jo Davidsmeyer •
Episodes rated from 0 to 4 bayonets
(138) Gadjo
RATING: 1-1/2 bayonets
Written by Phillip W. Hoffman
Directed by Michael Caffey
First aired 17-Jan-1967
Episode 17 of Season 5
SYNOPSIS:
French Gypsies vie with Saunders' squad over possession of a German prisoner.
The German officer slaughtered their camp of 78 men, women, and children and
the Gypsies want vengence. But the pursuers become the pursued when the Gypsies
are pinned down by a German attack and must depend on aid from Saunders.
REVIEW:
Watching and listening to Ricardo Montalban is always a pleasure. His
mellifluous voice can be mesmerizing, even reciting the banalities of this rather silly
script. His description of the Gypsy afterlife was delivered with passion and
intensity. As in "Mountain Man," this is a character who thinks the war has nothing to do with him.
Those who enjoy battles scenes should find "Gadjo" entertaining. The squad and
Gypsies go from one battle to another in this high-action episode. But the
firefights seem just an excuse for action, not really progressing the plot. They
are disjointed and unreal in their frequency.
The resolution comes out of nowhere. Why the sudden change of heart in the
gypsy? This unmotivated transformation is unbelievable and unsatisfying. Why is he
suddenly willing to break his sacred promise to the spirits and take up
Saunders' philosophy, suddenly believing that it is his war, too? Especially immediately after clutching his young brother's dead
body in his arms.
NOTES, ODDITIES, AND BLOOPERS:
· Paul Busch is the Major killed in the staff car at the opening of the show. He
is also the German soldier leading the patrol that next attacks the squad.
· Filmed at Franklin Canyon.
· At the end of the episode, the Gypsies have the high ground but are supposedly
pinned down.
· Wardrobe man Beau Vanden Ecker appears as a Gypsy.
CAST:
Vic Morrow as Sgt. Saunders
Rick Jason as Lt. Hanley (does not appear)
Guest Star
Ricardo Mantalban as Barbu
Jack Hogan as Kirby
Conlan Carter as Doc
Pierre Jalbert as Caje
William Bryant as McCall
David Sheiner as SS Major Krieghoffen
Pat Renella as Razna
Anthony Benson as Andras
Hank Brandt as Sgt. Denfler
Beau Vanden Ecker as Gypsy
Larry Grant as Gypsy
and
Eugene Iglesias as Kako
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the US by Paramount Pictures. It is not our intention to infringe on the
copyrights of the creators of Combat! This web page is meant for
the free enjoyment of Combat! fans everywhere. Unless otherwise noted, materials Copyright Jo
Davidsmeyer. All rights reserved. Photographs from the TV series
copyright ABC-TV.
