Combat! (TV Series) The Chateau (1963) User Reviews

new to the series

[j-hanley61 · 9/10 · 19 February 2012]

let me start by saying that i am watching combat every day now that it's on in my area. i never saw it when it was current and it's like a new show for me. i've seen about ten episodes and "the château" was the best one so far. that being said i feel it ran like a short movie, it was that good. it was nice to see Joan Hackett and looking so young and beautiful, and there was excellent acting though out.i have a dvr so i watched it again (3)times in all and just really like the way this episode plays out.strong in opening, very good middle,and a profound ending. you simply can't ask for much more from a show of this kind. i hope to see other episodes that move me as much as this one did. time will tell as i plan on watching every day.

Pillage, Unconditional Love and Honor

[claudio_carvalho · 8/10 · 10 June 2017]

Pvt. Jackson is driving a Jeep looking for a hospital for the wounded Lt. Masters, Bradock and Cpl. Cording that are under care of Doc. They get lost and stop at a château, where they are received by the owner's daughter Gabrielle de Gontran that tells that there is no hospital in the area. .Her aristocratic and wealthy father Count de Gontran tells that they can stay for two hours and then leave his property. Soon Jackson warns that Germans are coming to the château and he drives the Jeep to attract the Germans attention in another direction. But he is killed and the Germans head to the château to become a command post. Doc and the wounded American soldiers surrender to the Germans and are locked in a room. Meanwhile the commander Maj. Richter pillages the paintings and silverware from the château and put the eye on Gabrielle, who is the pride and joy of her father. What will happen to them?

"The Château" is an episode made for the support cast since neither Vic Morrow nor Rick Jason participate. The wounded lieutenant is not Hanley and only Doc and Braddock act in the show. The story of unconditional love and honor of a daughter that sacrifices her life to revenge her father is dramatic and well resolved. The conclusion is ironic with the end of the expectation of de Gardon family. My vote is eight.

Title (Brazil): "A Mansão" ("The Mansion")

Quality melodrama

[lor_ · 30 July 2023]

With both Rick and Vic on vacation, this offbeat segment stars Dan O'Herlihy, most convincing as a cultured, urbane German major who commandeers a posh French mansion to set up a temporary artillery observation post. Shecky Greene and a wounded lieutenant were staying there with doc, and the major captured them.

His freiendly manner and politeness impress the French owner of the chateau, but he's obviously ruthless underneath that polished exterior. Suspense is generated regarding the fate of the American prisoners (doc and Shecky are regulars) plus the owner's winsome daughter Joan Hackett. The major shows his ture colors by stealing the valuable paintings from the chateau for his own use and flirting with bad intentions with lovely Ms. Hackett. Turning highly melodramatic, this episode does not fit the "Combat!" format, playing more like a "Kraft Suspense Theatre" show, but O'Herlihy's acting is very fine as a man you love to hate.