The Twilight Zone (TV Series)
The Purple Testament (1960)
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- TV-PG
- 25min
- Drama, Fantasy
- 12 Feb 1960
- TV Episode
A U.S. Army lieutenant serving in the Philippines during WWII develops a harrowing ability to see in the faces of the men of his platoon, the men who will be the next ones to die.
Director:
Writers:
Stars:
Photos and Videos
Complete, Cast awaiting verification
| Rod Serling | ... |
Narrator (voice)
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| Dick York | ... |
Capt. Phil Riker
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| William Reynolds | ... |
Lt. Fitzgerald
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| William Phipps | ... |
Sergeant
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| Barney Phillips | ... |
Capt. E.L. Gunther
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| S. John Launer | ... |
Lieutenant Colonel
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| Michael Vandever | ... |
Smitty
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| Paul Mazursky | ... |
Orderly
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| Marc Cavell | ... |
Freeman
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| Warren Oates | ... |
Jeep Driver
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| Ron Masak | ... |
Harmonica Man
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| Rest of cast listed alphabetically: | |||
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Brad Brown | ... |
Soldier (uncredited)
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John Burnside | ... |
Soldier (uncredited)
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Irvin 'Zabo' Koszewski | ... |
Soldier (uncredited)
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| Robert McCord | ... |
Man Walking in Lobby (uncredited)
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| Gordon Mitchell | ... |
Soldier (uncredited)
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Directed by
| Richard L. Bare | ||
Written by
| Rod Serling | ... | (written by) |
| Rod Serling | ... | (created by) (uncredited) (creator) |
Produced by
| Buck Houghton | ... | producer |
| Rod Serling | ... | executive producer: Cayuga Productions |
Music by
| Lucien Moraweck | ||
Cinematography by
| George T. Clemens | ... | director of photography |
Editing by
| Bill Mosher | ||
Casting By
| Mildred Gusse | ||
Art Direction by
| George W. Davis | ||
| William Ferrari | ||
Set Decoration by
| Rudy Butler | ||
| Henry Grace | ||
Production Management
| Ralph W. Nelson | ... | production manager |
Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
| Edward O. Denault | ... | assistant director (as Edward Denault) |
Sound Department
| Franklin Milton | ... | sound (as Frank Milton) |
| Jean G. Valentino | ... | sound (as Jean Valentino) |
| Van Allen James | ... | sound effects editor (uncredited) |
Animation Department
| Sam Clayberger | ... | background artist- opening title sequence (uncredited) / layout artist- title sequence (uncredited) |
| Rudy Larriva | ... | animator/animation director - opening titles (uncredited) |
| Joe Messerli | ... | effects painter-title sequence (uncredited) |
Music Department
| Lud Gluskin | ... | conductor |
Additional Crew
| Herbert Klynn | ... | title designer (uncredited) |
Production Companies
Distributors
- CBS (1960) (United States) (tv) (original airing)
- Image Entertainment (2010) (United States) (Blu-ray) (DVD)
Special Effects
Other Companies
- United Productions of America (UPA) (animated title)
Storyline
| Plot Summary |
In the Philippines in 1945, Army Lt. Fitzgerald has developed the disturbing ability to look into his men's faces and know who will be killed in the next battle. He says it's like a light is shined on their faces. His superior, Capt. Phil Riker, consults the medical officer but he finds nothing conclusive. Fitzgerald passes out when visiting one of his wounded men in the hospital after he sees the light on his face. When he sees the light on Riker's face, he begs him not to go out. After they return from the military operation, he sees that there will be one other casualty that day. Written by garykmcd / edited by Rob |
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| Parents Guide | Add content advisory for parents » |
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Additional Details
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Did You Know?
| Trivia | Rod Serling served in the US Army's 511th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 11th Airborne Division, during the liberation of the Philippines, where this episode is set. See more » |
| Goofs | Rod Serling's narration says at the end of that the title phrase Purple Testament comes from the William Shakespeare play "Richard III". It is actually Richard II, Act 3, Scene 3. See more » |
| Movie Connections | Edited into The Purple Testament (2020). See more » |
| Soundtracks | The Caissons Go Rolling Along See more » |
| Quotes |
Lt. Fitzgerald:
I'm five for five captain. How many coincidences add up to a fact? See more » |