Combat! (TV Series) The Partisan (1967) User Reviews

Farewell Episode to a Great TV Series

[jmarchese · 9/10 · 29 December 2014]

"The Partisan" is a dichotomous tale portraying American nerve & bravery and the inner strength of a beautiful woman.

After Caje & Saunders are wounded, Caje is captured by the Germans while The Sarge makes his way to Babette's (excellently played by Claudine Longet) house. She's living with Michel (excellently played by Robert Duvall) who has a past. Claiming to be a French resistance fighter, Michel finally raises eyebrows when Caje comes on the scene.

Ed Waters wrote a fine screenplay which is very realistic and forthright portraying the power of love. Every time Michel fails, the gorgeous Babette nudges him in the right direction. Vic Morrow is vintage Chip Saunders showing the usual nerve, persistence, & bravery we've all come to know. Saunders' dialog with Michel is outstanding at times; 2 great actors having at it!

Michael Caffey directed this excellent episode in which the viewing audience is treated to authentic German 88 millimeter canon fire. Excellent close-up shots throughout bring out the emotional side of the story.

And favorite German Paul Busch is featured as the ranking German officer. Ironically, he's also the German radio man in the beginning of the episode. Although his head is turned from view, the voice is unmistakable.

Last Combat Episode!

[ShelbyTMItchell · 9/10 · 19 March 2013]

As we did not see how the Combat aka King's Company got out of France and tie up loose ends.

A pre-stardom Robert Duvall stars as a drifter who poses as a Frenchman to get out of the Army. Who falls in love with a blind French girl. As Caje is injured and that Saunders is also.

As Saunders is nursed back to help first, Caje also is and confides in his Sgt the real truth about Duvall. About him speaking French but speaking it with an accent. An American one that is.

Until Saunders and Caje find out that their suspicions are true, Duvall gets the chance to redeem himself. As the Krauts are closing in on Caje, Saunders, Duvall's character, and Claudine Longet who plays his girlfriend.

Really hate it that they did not tie up lose ends. As the show was canceled afterwords. And we did not get to see how the King's Company gotten out of France alive. Pity! Great series!

Good episode

[grantss · 7/10 · 2 July 2022]

A good episode of Combat with Robert Duvall appearing for the third time. Quite intriguing as Saunders is cutoff behind enemy lines and tries to rescue Caje.

Some elements of the plot are a bit implausible but overall it's fairly good.

Long live Combat!

[cnkavouras · 10/10 · 11 October 2020]

Sadly, this is the last ever episode of this great tv series. Well directed and well played by Saunders and co. We grew up this Combat and 5 years after we keep watching the episodes wiyh such an interest. LONG LIVE Combat!!

The Maquis

[claudio_carvalho · 7/10 · 14 July 2020]

Sgt. Saunders is assigned by Lt. Hanley to patrol a German area with a three-man squad. However, they are ambushed by the Germans and two American soldiers die. Caje is wounded and captured by the enemy and Saunders is also wounded and faints, and the Germans do not see him. When he awakes, he wanders and stumble upon a blind French woman in a small farmhouse where he passes out again. Saunders wakes up in the basement and meets Babette, who is treating him, and the Maquis Michael, who lives with her. When he learns that Caje is alive and imprisoned by the Germans, Saunders decides to help him to flee, but Michael says that he is healing his knee and cannot help him. But soon he uncovers a secret about Michael.

"The Partisan" is another good episode of "Combat!". The rescue of Caje by Saunders alone is engaging but hard to believe. The conclusion is also weak, with Babette leaving her home and walking to the Allied lines. But Claudine Longet and Robert Duvall compose a strong cast for this episode with great performances. My vote is seven.

Title (Brazil): "A Partidária" ("The Partisan")

The series ends not with a bang, but with a whimper

[lor_ · 24 November 2023]

Apparently it was business as usual at the offices of "Combat!", as this final segment marking the abrupt series finale is nothing special. I was disappointed to see no guest star names listed in the opening credits, even though the great Robert Duvall and the beautiful '60s TV star Claudine Longet both are featured and give fine performances.

Story is routine, with our heroes bombarded by heavy German guns, after which Vic leads a patrol where his entire troop suffer casualties, Caje being captured and only Vic getting away. He's sheltered by blind girl Claudine at her farmhouse, while her man Duvall is reluctant to help Vic, even though he claims to be in the Resistance. When Vic rescues Caje, the Canadian notices that Duvall speaks French with an accent, and they discover he is not a partisan but instead an American deserter.

I blame hack Michael Caffey for the mediocrity of this and many other final season episodes -he's a "Combat" production staffer whose direction and weak material make for the worst (and last) partial season of the show. Though Duvall is solid and Longet exceptionally empathetic, the story runs out of steam and the segment has a lousy ending, sending "Combat!" away with a whimper.