Combat! reviews by Jo Davidsmeyer
*
Episodes rated from 0 to 4 bayonets
(090) Cry in the Ruins
RATING:
4 bayonets
Written by Edward J. Lakso
Story by A. M. Zweiback
Directed by Vic Morrow
First aired 23-Mar-1965
Episode 27 of Season 3
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SYNOPSIS:
A desperate woman searches for her
missing baby as American and German soldiers watch helplessly from opposite ends of the
street. The woman begs for help to rescue her infant son, whom she believes trapped in a
wine cellar beneath the street. In an uneasy truce, the enemy soldiers agree to work
together to help the woman. The enemy squads cease being soldiers for a time, until a
wounded German officer crashes into their artificial peace.
REVIEW:
Directed by Vic Morrow, "A Cry In
The Ruins" shows his remarkable strengths as a director. Though he occasionally falls
into "art" shots that are more showy than revealing, he delivers a brilliant
episode. This story of enemies uniting in the name of common decency is riveting. The
conclusion is surprising and haunting.
Morrow knew how to get the best out of Rick Jason. His Hanley is superb as he arranges
a wary truce with a German patrol and struggles to find a way to "do the right
thing." Lisa Pera is exceptional as the distraught Frenchwoman who serves as the
catalyst for this story. As a mother desperate to save the life of her child, she
temporarily halts a war and reminds two warring groups that they are more than just
members of an army, but members of humanity. By the end of the episode, her tragedy shows
these soldiers, in heart-breaking clarity, the real cost of the war and who pays the
price.
ABOUT FILMING THE EPISODE:
Dick Peabody about Vic as a director:
"Vic had everything Burt [Kennedy] had and everything Altman had. Vic could have been
an absolute superstar motion picture director [...] The talent was there, and so obvious
to everyone."
CAST:
Rick Jason as Lt. Hanley
Vic Morrow as Sgt. Saunders [does not appear]
Guest Star
William Smithers as Lt. Markes
Jack Hogan as Kirby
Conlan Carter as Doc
Pierre Jalbert as Caje
Glenn Cannon as Pvt. Cane
John Crawford as Capt. Werner
Henry Horman-Cattani as Kranz
Ben-Ari as Le Page
Bob Kanter as Pvt. Hunstell
Larry Gelbmann as Gunnar
Frank Oberschall as Bruck
Gerd Rein as Heismann
and
Lisa Pera as Madame DuBois
