Combat! reviews by Jo Davidsmeyer
Episodes rated from 0 to 4 bayonets
(151) The Partisan
Robert Duvall and Claudine Longet
RATING: 1 bayonet
Written by Ed Waters
Directed by Michael Caffey
First aired 03-14-67
Episode 25 of Season 5
SYNOPSIS:
Saunders goes on patrol to locate German artillery. Ambushed, Saunders is
wounded and left behind while Caje is wounded and captured. Saunders finds help in
the home of a blind girl who is hiding an American deserter in her cellar.
Saunders rescues Caje from the Germans and returns to the French girl's house. The
deserter reluctantly helps Saunders bring Caje to the American lines, taking
the girl with them. He comes through in the end, helping Saunders capture a
German jeep to drive Caje to safety.
REVIEW:
"The Partisan" was the last original episode of Combat! to air. Robert Duvall returns for his third Combat! guest role as a downed American navigator hiding from the war in the arms of
a blind-but-beautiful French farmgirl — until Saunders spoils it with a
patented pep talk.
The beginning of the episode was filler to save expenses, since the season was
running over budget. The footage is the same used in the opening of "The
Losers." Those shots are intercut with footage shot in Franklin Canyon and new
footage of Saunders driving the truck.
The script by Ed Waters is disjointed — giving us the strange first act that
served little purpose and ending with a long journey forced on the French girl
and deserter for little reason. The situation is similar to "Missing in Action," except instead of a downed Colonel falling in love with his French rescuer,
it's now a downed navigator.
NOTES, ODDITIES, AND BLOOPERS:
· Some remarkable night-time pyrotechnics as Saunders blows up the ammo dump.
· Saunders has no canteen or ammo belt while rolling down the hill, though he
had them earlier.
· Saunders loses his helmet at the top of the hill; it comes crashing down
through the brush next to him, nearly hitting the camera.
CAST:
Vic Morrow as Sgt. Saunders
Rick Jason as Lt. Hanley
Guest Star
Robert Duvall as Michel
Jack Hogan as Kirby
Pierre Jalbert as Caje
Dick Peabody as Littlejohn
Conlan Carter as Doc
Special Guest Star
Claudine Longet as Babette
Paul Busch as German Officer
Hank Brandt as German Soldier
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