Combat! (TV Series) Rescue (1964) User Reviews

One of the Best Episodes

[claudio_carvalho · 9/10 · 17 September 2017]

While retreating from the German artillery, Lt. Hanley is wounded and faints. He is awaken dazed and confused by a SS soldier and out of the blue, another SS soldier arrives and kills Hanley's captor. He tells that he is Corporal Jerry Bacon, the driver of Colonel Johnson, and they were heading to an important meeting when they have been captured by the SS and made prisoners in a nearby house. While the colonel was tortured, Jerry succeeded to escape and dressed the corpse of the German soldier with his uniform and left him on his bed to lure the Germans. Now he wants to return to rescue Colonel Johnson that is wounded in the leg. During their journey, they face many dangers and plot a scheme to rescue Johnson. Will their plan work?

"Rescue" is one of the best episodes of The Second Season of Combat!". The suspenseful story and the screenplay have many plot points and flaws like how Jerry escaped and the German squad did not note is explained in the end. My vote is nine.

Title (Brazil): O Resgate" ("The Rescue")

Suspense, Intrigue, & Great Screen Writing

[jmarchese · 9/10 · 8 July 2014]

"Rescue" is loaded with suspense and intrigue and portrays the epitome of evil with respect to German SS intelligence.

The beginning artillery sequences are excellent as always. Lieutenant Hanley does an excellent job as a shell shocked GI who is rescued from capture by Corporal Jerry Bacon, an American in a German SS outfit (excellently played by Guy Stockwell.) They decide to pool their efforts to rescue American Colonel Johnson (excellently played by Ed Binns) who is being held and questioned by other SS personnel.

Story, plot, and dialog are extremely well thought out and implemented throughout the episode, a testament to Ed Lakso's fine screen writing. It should be noted Ed continually proves his WWII European theater in depth knowledge from episode to episode.

"Rescue" is a real brain teaser from the opening bell and will force you to think.

We get an excellent cameo of our favorite German Paul Busch, who plays a Lieutenant at the SS location where Colonel Johnson is being held.

Hanley puts on a great scene at the end with a jeep driving corporal; his countenance tells the day's story.

Far Fetched But Entertaining

[sambase-38773 · 7/10 · 29 December 2022]

This episode bears little resemblance to reality. It's the kind of story that would only happen inside the mind of a writer. Too many absurd things happen, too many twists and turns, too many illogical decisions by the characters, too many lucky breaks, etc. However, it is entertaining to watch if you look past the flaws and don't take it too seriously.

I won't go into all of the details, because it makes my head spin just to think of them. If you miss just one or two minutes of this episode you will have no idea what the heck is going on. These days you can stream the episodes or watch them on DVD and not miss a single second and that is a blessing. But back in the old days you could easily be forced to miss a few minutes if you had to go to the bathroom or one of your siblings whacked you over the head with a blunt object.

Okay, so bottom line, you have to just roll with the writer and the actors and if you do then you can enjoy this episode just like I did. It's a fun one.

Story keeps you on your toes

[lor_ · 26 July 2023]

With Vic taking the week off, Rick stars in an exciting segment, separated from his troops and saved by Guy Stockwell, who is impersonating an SS man. The lieutenant is pressed into action to help Guy to free his colonel (played by Edward Binns) who's being interrogated by the SS.

There's plenty of tension developed, as it's never clear if Guy can carry off his impersonation, and there seems little hope of the two of them pulling off a rescue. RIck and Guy are resourceful in this offbeat segment.

All is not what it seems, and the final twists are spectacular, with okay hints provided along the way.