"The Twilight Zone" The Purple Testament (1960)

User Rating:

7.9/10   

Director:

Richard L. Bare

Writer:

Rod Serling (writer)

TV Series:

"The Twilight Zone" (1959)

Original Air Date:

12 February 1960 (Season 1, Episode 19)

Genre:

Drama | Fantasy | Horror | Mystery | Sci-Fi | Thriller

Plot:

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, who will be the next ones to die. |

Plot Keywords:

Lieutenant | WWII | Doubt | Reflection | Loss Of Friend

Cast

Rod Serling	...	Narrator (voice)
Dick York	...	Capt. Phil Riker
William Reynolds	...	Lt. Fitzgerald
William Phipps	...	Sergeant
Barney Phillips	...	Capt. E.L. Gunther
S. John Launer	...	Lieutenant Colonel
Michael Vandever	...	Smitty
Paul Mazursky	...	Orderly
Marc Cavell	...	Freeman
Warren Oates	...	Jeep Driver
Ron Masak	...	Harmonica Man

Runtime:

25 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Filming Locations:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios - 10202 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City, California, USA

Company:

Cayuga Productions

Trivia:

Riker (Dick York) says "None of us is a mind-reader." York happened to star in a later episode, "A Penny for Your Thoughts", in which his character gained telepathy.

Goofs:

Factual errors: Capt Riker and Lt Fitzgerald are wearing their insignia, which is incorrect. Officers serving in front line units did not wear their insignia because it identified them as high priority targets for Japanese snipers.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "The Twilight Zone: Into the Light (#1.30)" (2003)

There is a good Mexican variation... Macario...

I know how the lieutenant in this episode feels. I've had similar occurrences from time to time. I would rather have them disproved... though some people would rather heighten the experience...

Very well done, and just a fantastic episode from a fantastic series, that modern imitations don't equal in elegance.

It is great to see Dick York full of vigor, having seen his last years was tough. The light and use of black and white add well.

It is amazing what they could accomplish in just 30 minutes... of which only about 22 comprise the episode. Simple, inexpensive, yet entertaining.