Combat! (TV Series) A Silent Cry (1964) User Reviews

The First Mission

[claudio_carvalho · 8/10 · 7 September 2017]

Lt. Hanley assigns Sgt. Saunders to go with Caje, Kirby, Sgt. Perkins and a private to deliver radios to the Maquis Fontaine. Sgt. Perkins is an arrogant specialist in communication and has never participated of a combat mission and Sgt. Saunders is forced to take the rookie sergeant with him despite their friction. Perkins jeopardizes the mission with his attitudes but when they arrive at the French underground location, he needs to repair the central radio of the resistance. But the Germans are triangulating the location of this radio.

"A Silent Cry" is an engaging episode of "Combat!", despite the arrogant Sgt. Perkins. This character is annoying but the story of intolerance is good in the end. My vote is eight.

Title (Brazil): "Um Grito Silencioso" ("A Silent Cry")

Superb Story of Sacrifice and Courage

[jmarchese · 9/10 · 2 July 2014]

A Silent Cry is an excellent story of WW 2 drama and suspense in which we learn about the high price paid in winning the war.

Technical Sergeant Perkins (excellently played by Richard Anderson) starts out as a self centered, conceited radio genius whose only interest is to stay alive and well. With Sergeant Chip Saunders running the show and mentally chipping away at his ego, Perkins character develops into one of a brave team player who finally understands his place in the scheme of things.

White Rook must deliver radios to a group of French partisans who are daily risking their lives in service to the American war effort. At first Sergeant Perkins does not have to go; but plans change and when faced with his new mission, Perkins becomes very touchy and scared.

Edward Lakso and Bernard McEveety make up an excellent team as screen writer and director respectively. Dialog is superb throughout especially between Saunders and Perkins in that Saunders keeps Perkins in line every step of the journey. The plot is well thought out and the characters involved effect a great outcome. As usual McEveety provides several close ups and all of the scenes are painfully realistic.

In the crucial moments of the episode, Saunders again shows why persistence, determination, and stick-to-it-ness are so vital in achieving goals.

Special note should be made of the German Captain (excellently played by Ed Gilbert) who comes across as absolutely mean, vicious, and hate-able.

Character development between Jacques (well played by Robert Crawford Jr.) and Sergeant Perkins is also clearly evident and the ending sequence and dialog are powerful in terms of wartime efforts.

Unexpectedly Powerful

[lrrap · 9/10 · 14 January 2020]

Pretty typical set-up with misanthropic soldier (Richard Anderson) whom Saunders gets stuck with. The guy is a braniac who was promoted to Sergeant due to his expertise in radio technology--but he's never been out on a mission. What's more, he's a pacifist/philosopher, who cannot reconcile his lofty ideals with those of men who KILL others in battle.

His undoing comes in a beautifully crafted scene, as he works on a radio in a cellar with a young French resistance fighter, who is also an idealistic dreamer. Amazingly subtle acting, direction, and dialogue. Of course, when things start getting dangerous, Anderson's idealism is tested in the heat of battle.

What at first feels like a rather routine, predictable show turns out to be top-notch (even though the big battle scene behind the furniture is kind of funny). Script, direction and performances = first-rate.

Different forms of heroism

[lor_ · 24 July 2023]

Vic is sent on a mission with guest star Richard Anderson to deliver field radios to French resistance fighters. Problem is that Vic doesn't trust this new man he's forced to take along, but Rick emphasizes that they have no choice.

Anderson turns out to be a coward and a drag on the mission whose expertise with radios is the only reason his bad behavior is tolerated at all. Danger from the nearby Germans maintains suspense, while Anderson's paranoid philosophy can endanger all the other troops. A young boy with the Resistance bonds with Anderson, as both take a philosophical bent compared to the other soldiers.

A large contingent of German troops and equipment arrives nearby and Vic must warn Rick and headquarters of the danger they represent. The Germans track his transmission and are ready to close in on them. Matters come to a head when Germans capture the young boy and his innocent French grandparents and are killing them -Anderson wants to save them while Vic remains steadfast in his mission to warn his men. Vic succeeds in contacting Rick, and saves the day.

In an exciting gun battle with the Germans, both the boy and Anderson conduct themselves heroically, with the show's message more subtly conveyed than usual, and child actor Robert Crawford Junior (Johnny's brother) stands out as the French youngster.