Synopsis
Kirby rejoins the squad in the field, bringing with him a new replacement, Kalb (played
by John Cassevetes). But Cassevetes is already known to one of the squad members, Fleming
(William Stevens); Fleming believes Kalb is a coward who ran at Omaha Beach and has been
running ever since. After a firefight in the French village, Cassevetes turns up wounded,
but the powder burns on his legs leads the squad to think that it was a self-inflicted
wound (SIW). After being bandaged and given morphine, Kalb's description of his
hand-to-hand fight with a German is confused and contradictory. When the Germans return,
the squad is trapped in the church, unable to run because the wounded Kalb would slow them
down. During the battle, Kalb runs from the church and risks his life to prove his
courage. Cleaning up after the battle, Saunders finds the proof that clears Kalb.
Review
This story by
Shirl Hendrix skillfully keeps Cassevetes' guilt or innocense in constant question. The
script makes a stinging point about the cancer of gossip and innuendo. John Peyser, in his
best directorial work for Combat!, creates a dark, oppressive atmosphere as
Cassavetes' fear and fate are dissected and discussed. Throughout, Peyser is in firm
command of the action and the camera, creating some great visuals: long gunfighter-like
shots down the mainstreet and brooding close-ups in the church. Maybe he had enough pull
by this point to insist on shooting new footage for the teaser. Not a bit of re-used
footage there we're even in a new location outside the French village in the
teaser. But, never fear, he did manage to sneak in some footage from "The Little
Carousel," but it's so seamlessly merged into the final battle sequence that it's
difficult to spot.
Saunders and Doc are standouts in this episode as they deal with the possibility of a
soldier with a self-inflicted wound.
About Filming the Episode
Conlan Carter about John Cassavetes: "John and I hit it off immediately. John
didn't have an agent. He did all of his own stuff that way. We talked about that for
hours, because I was fascinated with that process. It was tough to get jobs with
an agent. John was a different breed, he was a different cat. I would have liked to have
known him better. We talked a lot about stuff, not all of it Hollyweird. He was a good
guy. Very bright. Very real. One of the nicest, down-to-earth good guys in
Hollywood."
Notes, Oddities, and Bloopers
- Blooper: As the squad enters a village, they are walking down the street and no one is
wearing jackets. Three times, interspersed in the jacketless long shots, are close-ups of
Saunders where he is wearing his jacket (the collar is visible).
- This is (perhaps) the only episode where, except for the blooper above, none of the
squad members ever wears a jacket.
- This episode was one of six commercially released on VHS tape by GoodTimes Video in
1986. It is a sought-after collectible among Combat! fans.
- A respected actor and film director, John Cassavetes was regarded as a pioneer of
American cinema verit�. See books
about John Cassavetes.
Cast Credits
Vic Morrow
as Sgt. Saunders
Rick Jason
as Lt. Hanley
(NOTE: does not appear in episode)
John Cassavetes
as Kalb
Jack Hogan as Kirby
Pierre Jalbert as Caje
Dick Peabody as Littlejohn
Conlan Carter as Doc
William Stevens ... Fleming
Paul Sherif ... Sawyer
Mike Krempels ... German
Dialog Excerpts
- Kirby:
- Hey, don't just stand there. Come on, let's get on with the war. Kirby's back and you
got 'em.
Look Who's Back
(33 k)
- Fleming:
- Like you said, believe only what you see with your own eyes.
- Saunders:
- That's right. And even then you have to look twice.
-