(074) Point of View

RATING: 3 bayonets

Written by David Moessinger

Directed by Bernard McEveety

First aired 29-Sep-1964

Episode 3 of Season 3

SYNOPSIS:

Saunders is threatened with charges, being accused of incompetence that caused the death of two men. Hanley defends a Saunders reluctant to defend himself. Distracted by the fate of a wounded squad member and angry over the charges, Saunders' bitterness leads nearly to insubordination and causes him to abandon Hanley when Hanley most needs his help. In flashbacks, the squad tells the story of taking and holding a hill against a tank.

REVIEW:

The scenes in "Point of View" in the familiar French village are moving and well enacted, especially the scene on the bridge Saunders rebuffs Hanley. This is the best moment for showing both the professional and personal relationship between Saunders and Hanley C and how the two are sometimes at odds.

But Combat's takeoff on the Rashomon theme falls short during the flashbacks. The battle scenes do not match the emotional intensity of the drama in the artist's studio. Bernard McEveety has amply proven able to match action scenes against dialog scenes. But this time, he fails to deliver. When the audience sees Saunders through Sgt. O'Neill's eyes, Saunders looks the same as he did through Saunders' own eyes. McEveety provides no variety in the different viewpoints, just different camera angles.

Still, because of the town scenes and the great ending, this is among my favorite episodes. Paul Burke, who later starred in "Twelve O'Clock High," performs well as the sergeant-with-the-attitude du jour.

NOTES, ODDITIES, AND BLOOPERS:

· This episode, entitled "Point Of View," has surprisingly few POV shots.

· Bad harp music going in and out of the flashbacks.

· H. M. Wynant (Lt. Collins) appears in fourth season's "Counterplay ."

CAST:

Vic Morrow as Sgt. Saunders

Rick Jason as Lt. Hanley

Guest Star

Paul Burke as Sgt. O'Neill

Jack Hogan as Kirby

Pierre Jalbert as Caje

Dick Peabody as Littlejohn

Gerald Trump as Howie Parker

Seymour Cassel as Doctor

Richard Schuyler as Medic

Horst Ebersberg as German Corporal

Anthony Jochim as French Farmer

and

H.M. Wynant as Lt. Collins