User Reviews

"A Child's Game" is a study in dichotomy between psychopathic Hitler youth and teenage human nature. White Rook must take a farmhouse from a squad of teenage German soldiers; and their hearts are not in it realizing the imminent death involved.

Gilbert Raulston adapted Sidney Ellis' fine story for television. Private Carl Mueller (played by Peter Haskell)was born & raised in Germany and knows the ways of Hitler youth. He presents the other side of the coin after White Rook shows their concerns.

Director Bernard McEveety did a fine job with several action scenes throughout the episode in conjunction with A.D. Flowers' special effects. We see the return of our canine friend from previous Combat episode "Hear No Evil."

The Sarge and Doc have some fine words of wisdom for the German troops. And Hans (excellently played by Henry Brandon)displays fine acting talent as he takes it one step further.

Take your pick: Psychopathic Hitler youth, or teenage human nature? The ending sequence brings forth the truth.

A Child's Game kept my interest but was not among the most exciting of episodes.

Sgt. Saunders and his squad are assigned to take a farmhouse to be used as outpost. When they arrive, they find the spot protected by a squad of teenage German soldiers. Saunders decides to convince the youngsters to surrender but it is not an easy task.

"A Child's Game" is a non engaging episode of "Combat!". The story is corny, with Saunders and his men wasting time and ammunition. Despite their ages, the German soldiers are armed and dangerous and the attitude of the American soldiers has no explanation. My vote is seven.

Title (Brazil): "Brincadeira de Criança" ("Child's Game")

A relatively weak episode of Combat! The thought that GIs should handle the German soldiers with kid gloves just because they're so young is preposterous.

Unfortunately, rather than just being a fleeting notion this idea forms the core of the entire episode.

There's still some good action scenes, making it watchable, but it's one of the more unrealistic episodes.

"Combat!" takes a different tack with "A Child's Game", perhaps the series' most sympathetic look at the German enemy, when Vic's squad is committed to battle with teenage enemy soldiers.

With a plethora of gunfire giving the episode plenty of danger and tension, a more thoughtful message is developed as Vic faces the dilemma of shooting the youthful enemy soldiers who are occupying a farmhouse that the Americans need to take to set up an observation post there.

Guest star Peter Haskell is fine as a German-American soldier tasked to interpret between the two sides. As usual, the German dialogue spoken among the Germans is left unsubtitled, but the emotions and attitudes are well-expressed by an ensemble cast in a quite moving examination of the difficult decisions faced during battle, as well as the humanity of both sides, even when the enemy is Nazis (or in this case Nazi youth recruits). It's a rare case where the focus is not on Vic and his comrades but on the enemy instead.