For a series to take on the subject matter of a platoon of fighting men of the U.S. Army during World War II was certainly a most difficult a setting to plan a run of series TV. And when we think about it, most series so set in this Global Conflict, were basically sitcoms; such as McHALE'S NAVY, BROADSIDE and HOGAN'S HEROES. Other than our COMBAT (Selmar Productions/American Broadcasting Company, 1962-69) and RAT PATROL (Mirisch-Rich/Tom Gries/United Artists TV/ABC TV, 1966-68).Any other dramatic series of that modern type to enjoy any success were NAVY LOG, CITIZEN SOLDIER and THE SILENT SERVICE. These, however, weren't series with continued and recurring characters; but rather Dramatic Anthologies which presented us with stories that were based on true occurrences from the Great War, often featuring a latter post dramatization on screen introduction and commentary by the real Soldier, Sailor, Marine, Coast Guardsman or Airman featured in the evening's story.In COMBAT, the foundation was laid for a memorable series with the cast. With Rick Jason as Lt. Hanley, we had a guy who was believable as a high class Leader of Men type. He is by necessity aloof, cold even stern. But we see time and again his gentility and proper upbringing. He is good enough to have been a West Point Grad.The highly talented and tragically prematurely lost, Vic Morrow gave us his signature portrayal in Sgt. Saunders. The good Sergeant is tough, but fair and most knowledgeable. His is the type who won the War for the good guys. He has the intelligence that the Lieutenant possesses; but lacks the polish and education.#The composition of Saunders' platoon is also an integral part of the foundation. In characters such as 'Caje' (Pierre Calbert), Littlejohn (Dick Peabody), Kirby (Jack Hogan), 'Doc' the Medic (Colan Carter) and Billy Joe (Skip Homeier) were regulars along with others; who would change from time to time, as we would expect both in real Warfare, as well in series TV of any appreciable length. (Just look at the evolution of casts in LAW & ORDER (Dick Wolf/Universal/NBC, 1990-2008+) or ER (Constant c Prod./Amblin/Warner Bros./John Wells/Hands Down/NBC TV, 1994-2008+).An awful powerful amount of excellent outdoor location shooting in the most convincing of natural settings went into giving COMBAT a sort of documentary look. The costuming was accurate right down to the buttons and was fitting to the squad of Combat Soldiers, replete with their 2 weeks growth of beard. The Soldiers of the Series most definitely looked the part.As for opening and closing credits, the folks at Selmur Productions gave us a smooth and natural a combination of visuals and music as we have ever seen (or heard). In an almost Op-Art look, the credits would move over the screen; propelled by the sight of a moving group of Soldiers; who are marching along. But, we do not actually see the Soldiers. Only their rifles and bayonets are illustrated in the Comic Book dotted print style, which may well have been an invention of someone like an Andy Warhol. IT's very moving and has to be seen to be appreciated.One favourite story that we recall involves the infiltration of the Allied Lines by a Nazi German spy who is dressed as an American Soldier. The German Espionage Agent-Soldier is portrayed by the ever-smooth, Charles Coburn. He trips himself up just a little when he tries to act a little too American. Sgt. Saunders figures it out, but it takes some time.So, COMBAT goes to the Head of the Class in a very exclusive school of War Series; yet, some say that COMBAT was in a classification of stories all by itself. We find ourselves hard pressed to disagree.

The very successful and highly acclaimed series which first aired on TV in 1962. It's main star, Vic Morrow, plays the part of Sgt. Chip Saunders. The other main character, Lt. Hanley, is played by Rick Jason. The Saunders character is somewhat unbelievable in his constant devotion to duty under ALL conditions. The Hanley character is cast a little more believable in that although he is more a "rules" type, like all officers are, he shows a more HUMAN side than Saunders. What really was the success of this series was the involvement of the human kind in various combat conditions and situations. Watching the tactics apllied by both the allies and the Germans is rather ridiculous. It seemed that the Americans were out manuvering the Germans for some reason and Saunders was always sticking out his squads "NECK" by taking unnecessary risks. As a combat veteran myself I would have questioned these leaders tactics as borderline suicide or just plain idiocy although one really sleeps with the other.The show was really about humanity and drama which was aptly displayed. They must have been doing things right or people would not have tuned in every season from 1962 to 1967. My own observation is that when they changed over to color filming 2 things happened. The tactics became more unbelievable and the missions as well.Strangely enough both the lead characters died untimely deaths.

I am new to this and need some help. I grew up watching TV in the late 50's and 60's and thoroughly enjoy that era of TV. Could someone help me by pointing me to a place I can purchase entire series of TV series from that era. For example, The Untouchables, The Rebel, Rawhide, Combat, etc. I would also like a list of all of the shows from that era so I can be reminded of all of the great TV from that time and perhaps buy more. Any help would be appreciated. I am most interested in DVD but will settle for VHS. Some of the sites I have been to seem to have only certain shows for sale and I am no expert nor do I have the patience to keep searching to complete the series. Again, any help would be appreciated.

I realize that Combat! was about the "drama" and the psychological portrayal of men under the most extreme pressure. But I can never get over the absurd battle scenes. I felt this way when I was seven years old and watching Combat! when it first premiered back in the early 60s, and I feel the same way when I watch it in reruns. It is simply impossible to believe that the Germans were ALWAYS willing to run OUT from under cover and stand still as a statue so Sgt. Saunders and pals could wipe them out in a flash. And if a German sniper, taking minutes to carefully draw a bead with his scoped weapon, ever dared shoot at the "squad", then you could count on the fact that he would certainly miss and just throw up dirt right beside "the sarge", who would then immediately twirl around, machine gun on hip, burp out a couple of rounds, which would magically find the sniper hiding in the tree 3/4 of a mile away. Of course, the squad sometimes was taken by surprise. But those German heavy machine guns, mortars, grenades, and field guns never QUITE hit anybody, except for maybe wounding that week's guest star. And then ole sarge would yelp out the only tactical command he apparently EVER learned in basic training: "flank 'em, Kirby!". "Flank 'em"???? You'd think he could at least occasionally mutter out an "A team lay a base of fire; B team maneuver". Nope. Just "flank 'em". The utter lack of combat realism makes this show annoying. And I haven't even begun to talk about the ever present (overly sensationalized) French Underground, which, according to Combat! must have numbered hundreds of thousands of men, women, and juveniles. Ugh. Enough, already!