Command
- Episode aired Apr 7, 1964
- 1h
IMDb RATING
8.6/10
86
YOUR RATING
A wounded Hanley is replaced in the field by Lieutenant Douglas ('Joseph Campanella'), who proves to be surly and opinionated even by Saunders' standards.A wounded Hanley is replaced in the field by Lieutenant Douglas ('Joseph Campanella'), who proves to be surly and opinionated even by Saunders' standards.A wounded Hanley is replaced in the field by Lieutenant Douglas ('Joseph Campanella'), who proves to be surly and opinionated even by Saunders' standards.
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Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaLouis Mercier (Jean Bayard) played "Frenchie", a Free French soldier in Sahara (1943). In that film, his character was also behind enemy lines with American (and British) soldiers.
- GoofsWhile on patrol, Lt. Douglas halts the men so they can take a break. He goes a little farther and sits on the ground, leaning against a tree. Saunders goes after him to talk, and the lieutenant is now sitting on a log, with a lot of smaller trees and bushes that weren't there when seen from the other angle.
Featured review
Dangerous Leadership
"Command" is an episode of what happens when book learned individuals get promoted to their levels of incompetence without the necessary combat experience. Lieutenant Douglas (well played by Joseph Campanella) is assigned to lead the squad after Lieutenant Hanley is injured. His orders are to blow a bridge in conjunction with a French underground fighter. Douglas compulsively does everything by the book and in so doing throws the entire squad off balance. He makes numerous mistakes along the way and tries to pawn off the blame on Sergeant Saunders when things go entirely wrong. The big question is why he acts this way? It's interesting to compare Douglas' management style with modern times; he's the micro-manager personified, unable to delegate authority. And when lives are at stake, one can understand the horror stories that abound from war.
Dialog is excellent between Saunders and Douglas and the sergeant's immense leadership skills shine through in his performance. Sometimes being an outstanding leader is far more than just giving orders. One must question bad calls when so many lives are at stake.
I'm critical of the first time Lieutenant Douglas takes the point and the Germans open fire on him. At that range, considering the fire power, it would have been impossible to miss. Director McEveety needed to figure a better way of getting the Lieutenant pinned down.
I'm also critical of the German hand grenade scene in the farm house - much to planned and spontaneous - not realistic.
I do however like the combat scenes in general which are a specialty trait of Director McEveety, especially at night when the firepower flash is clearly evident.
I can understand the bridge blowing scene being duplicated from a previous episode because it was not the point of the whole story.
In the end we learn why Lieutenant Douglas acted as he did and there is forgiveness amongst the squad members. Given everything that's happened, I think it's frightening someone like Douglas would remain a combat Lieutenant in the field.
Dialog is excellent between Saunders and Douglas and the sergeant's immense leadership skills shine through in his performance. Sometimes being an outstanding leader is far more than just giving orders. One must question bad calls when so many lives are at stake.
I'm critical of the first time Lieutenant Douglas takes the point and the Germans open fire on him. At that range, considering the fire power, it would have been impossible to miss. Director McEveety needed to figure a better way of getting the Lieutenant pinned down.
I'm also critical of the German hand grenade scene in the farm house - much to planned and spontaneous - not realistic.
I do however like the combat scenes in general which are a specialty trait of Director McEveety, especially at night when the firepower flash is clearly evident.
I can understand the bridge blowing scene being duplicated from a previous episode because it was not the point of the whole story.
In the end we learn why Lieutenant Douglas acted as he did and there is forgiveness amongst the squad members. Given everything that's happened, I think it's frightening someone like Douglas would remain a combat Lieutenant in the field.
helpful•101
- jmarchese
- Jul 9, 2014
Details
- Runtime1 hour
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 1.33 : 1
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