VIC MORROW -
Combat! Director
Vic Morrow used his clout to expand his role on Combat! to include stints
behind the camera. He directed seven episodes for the series, including, arguably, the
best episode of the series — the two-parter "Hills Are For Heroes."
In the beginning, his directorial work for Combat! was very derivative. The
influence of his early mentor Robert Altman was very evident, including Altman's penchant
for excruciating closeups and heavy-handed symbolism. But when Morrow shed the
"mood" and centered on great visual storytelling he began to develop his own
unique style.
Director Vic Morrow was exceptional at composition; his setups are exquisite. He
positioned actors to great effect and moved actors within the camera frame quite well. In
his later episodes this tended to work against him, as the shows consisted mostly of
static shots contrasted with wildly swinging hand-held camera views.
Both Dick Peabody and Rick Jason praise Vic Morrw as a director, citing his sensitivity
in working with his fellow actors. Vic went on to direct "Deathwatch" and "A Man Called Sledge." Though receiving
critical praise, "Deathwatch" never found an audience. "A Man Called
Sledge," which he co-wrote and directed, was a disappointment. Producer Dino De
Laurentiis took control of the film before the final edit. Vic's ambition to be a
big-screen director eluded him.
Morrow directed episodes of the TV series "Quincy" and the British series
"Evil Touch."
Combat! episodes:
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