The Rat Patrol (1966–1968)

Set in North Africa during World War II, this series chronicles the adventures of a 4-man team of commandos within the Long Range Desert Group. (In utter defiance of historical accuracy, ... See full summary »

Creator:

Tom Gries

Stars:

Christopher George, Gary Raymond, Eric Braeden

Nominated for 1 Golden Globe.

Cast

Complete series cast summary:
Christopher George	...	Sgt. Sam Troy (58 episodes, 1966-1968)
Gary Raymond	...	Sgt. Jack Moffitt (58 episodes, 1966-1968)
Eric Braeden	...	Capt. Hans Dietrich (58 episodes, 1966-1968)
Lawrence P. Casey	...	Pvt. Mark Hitchcock (58 episodes, 1966-1968)
Justin Tarr	...	Pvt. Tully Pettigrew (54 episodes, 1966-1968)

Storyline

Set in North Africa during World War II, this series chronicles the adventures of a 4-man team of commandos within the Long Range Desert Group. (In utter defiance of historical accuracy, the team consists of three Americans and one Brit.) Armed with jeeps equipped with .50-caliber machine guns--and endless chutzpah--they wage a highly irregular war against Rommel's Afrika Korps. Their most common nemesis is Hauptmann Dietrich, though Dietrich and the Rats join forces from time to time against a common enemy.

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Plot Keywords:

commando | north africa | cult tv | army | north africa campaign | 

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Genres:

Action | Drama | Adventure | War

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

12 September 1966 (USA)

Also Known As:

Comando en el desierto

Filming Locations:

Amargosa Valley, Nevada, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Mirisch-Rich Productions, Tom Gries Productions, United Artists Television

Technical Specs

Runtime:

30 min 30 min (58 episodes)

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

4:3

Did You Know?

Trivia

The hat pin worn by Christopher George (Sgt. Sam Troy) is the pin for the Australian Commonwealth Military Forces, which also served in North Africa during WWII.

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Quotes

Pvt. Mark Hitchcock: Who was there, Sarge? You or me?

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Connections

Referenced in Mystery Science Theater 3000: Eegah! (1993)

User Reviews

This series was in "living color"

To disagree with a previous post, The Rat Patrol was filmed in color. As a mater of fact, the tag before the show aired showed a background of the two jeeps roaring through the desert with The Rat Patrol -- In Color superimposed on the shot. Being that it was filmed in 1966-1968, color was one of the selling points of the series -- hence all those wonderful shots of military half tracks and trucks blowing up in huge fireballs. (Combat was aired in black and white. ) As for the show itself, it wasn't so bad. Sure, some of the scripts were kind of escapist. However, there were several episodes that were well done. One involved Sergeant Jack Moffitt (Gary Raymond) coming to grips with the death of his brother; other episode teamed the Rat Patrol up with the Germans a couple of times. Once they had to save a little girl who fell into a well, and another time Americans and Germans had to fend off an Arab tribe attacking them in some kind of old ruins in the middle of the desert.

Anyway, point being the show was escapist, but is still on the air today. WGN in Chicago airs the show sometimes and other outlets air it, too.