Anatomy of a Patrol
- Episode aired Nov 26, 1963
- 1h
IMDb RATING
8.9/10
126
YOUR RATING
Saunders' squad rescues a badly wounded pilot in the woods and his recon film, but then they are chased by a resourceful Nazi Sgt.Saunders' squad rescues a badly wounded pilot in the woods and his recon film, but then they are chased by a resourceful Nazi Sgt.Saunders' squad rescues a badly wounded pilot in the woods and his recon film, but then they are chased by a resourceful Nazi Sgt.
Photos
William Smith
- Richter
- (as Bill Smith)
William Wellman Jr.
- Woody
- (as William Wellman)
Robert Hyatt
- Gray
- (as Bobby Hyatt)
Robert Champion
- German Lieutenant
- (uncredited)
Angelo De Meo
- Schmidt
- (uncredited)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThe photo recon plane is a Lockheed F-5 which was an unarmed variant of the P-38 Lightning fighter. This twin engine fighter air frame made an ideal reconnaissance aircraft. It had the speed and maneuverability of a fighter, and the camera could be placed in the nose directly in line with the pilot's view. The camera saw exactly what he did making the mission much easier for the pilot. Outwardly they appear the same except that the F-5 has no gun barrels extending from the nose of the plane.
- GoofsAs Littlejohn is getting into the boat, Dick Peabody stumbles for real, and Saunders - Vic Morrow - reacts for a second to help. Saunders says "Get with it, huh, Littlejohn?", but that line is dubbed in since Saunders's lips don't move. An unplanned nod to all the times the character of Littlejohn is seen as clumsy.
Featured review
Very Realistic and Compelling Episode
I enjoyed Anatomy of a Patrol for a number of reasons. First, the episode shows respect for German intelligence. The rank and file German soldier was stuck in the war just as the rank and file American was. The common denominator for both sides was they were ordinary people killing each other because a hateful madman had come to power.
James Caan plays an outstanding role as German Sergeant Beckman, who figures out what the Americans are up to almost every step of the way. It's like a chess match between he and Saunders.
Secondly, the episode is very realistic in that not one scene suggests anything that could not have happened. All of the combat scenes are painfully realistic - a Bernard McEveety trait.
Thirdly, the episode shows the great comradery on both teams in their efforts to win the war. Both teams realize the importance of retrieving the reconnaissance camera. There is carefully thought out planning by Saunders and Beckman each step of the way.
Fourthly, Saunders reaction to the thank you note offered by the Air Force is strikingly honest and to the point with no political correctness whatever. The message - no one wins in a war.
James Caan plays an outstanding role as German Sergeant Beckman, who figures out what the Americans are up to almost every step of the way. It's like a chess match between he and Saunders.
Secondly, the episode is very realistic in that not one scene suggests anything that could not have happened. All of the combat scenes are painfully realistic - a Bernard McEveety trait.
Thirdly, the episode shows the great comradery on both teams in their efforts to win the war. Both teams realize the importance of retrieving the reconnaissance camera. There is carefully thought out planning by Saunders and Beckman each step of the way.
Fourthly, Saunders reaction to the thank you note offered by the Air Force is strikingly honest and to the point with no political correctness whatever. The message - no one wins in a war.
helpful•210
- jmarchese
- Jun 19, 2014
Details
- Runtime1 hour
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 1.33 : 1
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