Combat! (TV Series) Gadjo (1967) User Reviews

The Gypsy Leader

[claudio_carvalho · 7/10 · 2 October 2019]

Saunders and his squad capture two German prisoners that had been ambushed and attacked by a group of gypsies. Their cunning leader Barbu explains that the German officer had wiped out his people and he promised to capture him to be executed by the survivors. However Sgt. Saunders does not deliver the prisoner and is followed by the gypsies along a dangerous journey.

"Gadjo" is a good episode of "Combat!" with guest star Ricardo Montalban in the role of the gypsy Barbu. His showdown with Saunders highlights the qualities of each leadership. The screenplay is tense and well resolved in the end and the battle sequences with the Germans are top-notch. My vote is seven.

Title (Brazil): "Gadjo"

The enemy of my enemy is...

[grantss · 8/10 · 19 June 2022]

Interesting, engaging episode as Saunders has to contend not only with the Germans but a band of gypsy partisans. The gypsies are also fighting the Germans but want a German officer Saunders has taken prisoner, creating a conflict situation. It makes for an intriguing situation.

Our War is Your War; Made For You & Me!

[jmarchese · 10/10 · 29 November 2014]

"Gadjo" is a story about transition in a partisan Gypsy tribe from total independence to Allied partnership.

When Gypsies ambush a German detachment, opportunistic White Rook captures two Germans. Refusing to turn over a highly wanted German officer to the tribe, Barbu (excellently played by Ricardo Mantalban) turns his partisan fighters against the squad.

Phillip Hoffman wrote a fine screenplay; combat scenes are prolific while telling the violent story.

Michael Caffey did a fine job directing, especially the memorable ending sequence in which the timing is immaculate. The viewing audience can appreciate those playing the Germans, their faces tell the story of brutal firefight.

Ricardo Mantalban plays a strong role as tribe leader Barbu. Conflict between the Sarge and Barbu is excellent and magnifies Saunders' great leadership skills. Notice how the Sarge rarely loses his composure but still remains firm at all times. There's great aside between Saunders & Barbu priming the latter for the ending sequence.

"Gadjo" makes the viewing audience really feel for anyone caught in the middle of a brutal firefight - a very moving episode.

Excellent Episode with Partisan Fighters

[dukeb0y · 10/10 · 21 July 2008]

Sgt. Saunders and company teams up with French Partisans to fight the Germans. First of all, the battle scenes were very realistic. One of the men kicks the dead soldiers to make sure they are dead. And they really did that in WWII.

Ricardo Montalban is a Partisan,(named Barbu) and in the battle, loses his son (also a Partisan). He gives the most moving speech. His acting is incredible, you could feel his pain, it was that good.

So then Barbu has to decide to kill the German officer they captured, when he escapes. I won't give the ending away.

For your information: Partisans are civilians who fought for freedom, when their country was occupied. Also called 'Guerrillas', or 'Resistance Fighters'.

Montalban can't save this script

[lor_ · 23 October 2023]

The energy of guest star Ricardo Montalban, cast as a gypsy, enlivens this segment, shot on rather desolate locations -looks like a California quarry area.

His exuberance is contrasted with Vic's stony-faced army ways: the squad captures an important SS officer, whose information about German plans is of great usefulness to the Allies, so when Montalban insists they hand him over for revenge and tells Vic a sob story about how he slaughtered the gypsies' encampment including women and children. Vic is unmoved.

This sets up suspense as now Vic and his men are fighting on two fronts -wary of German patrols in the area plus the Gypsies, hell-bent on taking the German prisoner at all costs.

Vic's troops are soon surrounded by Germans, and the Gypsies save the Americans' bacon, so Montalban assumes the sergeant will finally turn over the SS man, but Vic stubbornly refuses. To Ricardo, Vic is just the "Gadjo", someone who does not understand the ways of the gypsy.

To prove he means business, Montalban orders his men to shoot from a distance another German prisoner marching next to the SS officer, demanding he be turned over, or else. Vic plays his hole card -threatening to kill Ricardo, who they've taken prisoner.

This one-note story becomes tiresome, further evidence of the weak writing in what proved to be the series' final season.

Another long slog en route to a predictable conclusion.