Combat! (TV Series) The Letter (1966) User Reviews

The Younger Brother´s Letter

[claudio_carvalho · 9/10 · 9 August 2019]

After a confrontation with a German squad in the front with casualties, Saunders and his squad return to rest in the outpost. They receive their correspondences and Saunders receives a letter from his younger brother disclosing that he has enlisted in the army to fight. Immediately after, Saunders receives two replacements and one of them looks like his brother. Saunders projects the image of his brother in the rookie soldier and tries to protect him like an older brother.

"The Letter" is among the best episode of "Combat!", with great actions scenes and very dramatic situation. The participation of supporting cast like Kirby and Doc is intense and the G.I. Jim Hummel is an interesting character. The conclusion is also excellent. My vote is nine.

Title (Brazil): "A Carta" ("The Letter")

Rookie Makes Good In Difficult Combat

[jmarchese · 10/10 · 24 November 2014]

"The Letter is a story about Sergeant Saunders living heavy action at the front vicariously through a letter he received from his younger brother. Private Jim Hummel (excellently played by Randy Boone) becomes the Sarge's younger brother.

Shirl Hendryx wrote a great screenplay telling a duel story of Saunders' internal fraternal struggle and Private Jim Hummel's drive for acceptance. There's excellent character development amongst the entire squad. The backdrop is terrific combat - 3 great sequences graphically portrayed: Kirby's BAR blazing, machine gun fire on both sides - terrific action.

Georg Fenady's outstanding directing could not have displayed the action any better. In conjunction with A.D. Flowers special effects, the episode is flawless.

The ending sequence makes one understand why a clutz would not survive in combat scenarios; fleetness of foot is everything.

Extremely entertaining, "The Letter" seems longer than 50 some odd minutes and will not disappoint the viewing public.

Powerful show.

[mtntime1 · 10/10 · 27 March 2022]

The part that stood out for me, is when the rookie, Hummel, upon seeing his first fatality, says to Kirby: So, you get used to it? Kirby looks away, says: no, you never get used to it. Kind of says it all, there.

Excelllent: action-packed and reasonably sentimental too

[grantss · 9/10 · 14 June 2022]

An excellent episode of Combat! There's the usual great action scenes but lifting this a notch is Saunders's attitude to the new kid in the squad, driven by his brother enlisting. Makes for some great sentimentality and shows a softer side to Saunders.

Vic can't save a weak story

[lor_ · 5 October 2023]

Vic gets a letter from his brother back home, who has just enlisted, much to Vic's chagrin. Coincidentally, the squad gets a new replacement, a youngster who reminds him of his kid brother. For the rest of the episode, Vic uncharacteristically departs from routine and tries to protect the newbie.

Vic's empathetic performance is the only point of interest here, as the one-note script by Shirl Hendryx fails to introduce a significant mission for the squad, just routine shootouts with the Germans, and no other character of interest is cast. Randy Boone as the young recruit brings little to his stereotyped role.