Combat! (TV Series) Point of View (1964) User Reviews

Fate or Misjudgement?

[claudio_carvalho · 9/10 · 16 October 2017]

While visiting Pvt. Howie Parker that is badly wounded at a field hospital, Sgt. Saunders is accused of negligence and misjudgement of a situation by Sgt. O'Neill and Lt. Collins, costing the life of two soldiers. Lt. Hanley asks Kirby to summon Saunders back since Sgt. O 'Neill intends to send Saunders to court martial. When he hears the accusations in a preliminary hearing, he leaves the place. Lt. Hanley goes after Saunders and asks him to return. Kirby and Caje defend Saunders and both Sergeants expose their point of view. In the end, was it a matter of fate or misjudgement?

"Point of View" is one of the best episodes of "Combat!". The storyline recalls "Rashomon" (1950) with different point of views for the same event. Vic Morrow, as usual, has a fantastic performance in the role of Sgt. Saunders. The conclusion is magnificent with intelligent and well-written lines. My vote is nine.

Title (Brazil): "Ponto de Vista" ("Point of View")

Great episode

[grantss · 8/10 · 14 June 2022]

The outcome felt a bit inevitable but the charges against Saunders and the reliving of the events make for interesting viewing. It also makes you ponder whether something like that could happen.

Powerful dramatization of wartime decision-making

[lor_ · 11 August 2023]

Vic is nearly subjected to a court martial in this tense episode, accused of recklessness that caused two men to get killed. A sergeant played by Paul Burke claims, shown in flashback, that Saunders fetching the ammo for a bazooka arrived two late to save Burke's men, a matter of timing, so he blames Vic for their death from an arriving German tank's fire.

As signalled by the title, a "Rashomon" style series of flashbacks provides various recollections of what happened and who's to blame. Critically, it's Burke who is the bad guy, as testimony by Kirby and Caje at an informal type of hearing reveals. A very suspenseful sequence of Vic's men sliding carefully under a tripwire, limbo-style is especially well-handled.

This format works well to add a different dimension to the usual "take that German hill" presentation of a mission, and a fine David Moessinger script giving credence to multiple interpretations of war decisions adds to the strength of the show.