Combat! episode reviews by Jo
Davidsmeyer (090) Cry in the RuinsRATING:  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. HanleyVic Morrow as Sgt. Saunders [does not appear] Guest Star Jack Hogan as Kirby Fan comments about this episode - write your own review! |
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Combat! Episodes
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