"High Named Today" is a story about the motivations of Private Rob Lawson (played by Dean Stockwell) who appears to have a death wish. Lawson continually violates orders when in combat thereby making it more dangerous for the rest of the squad. Is it bravery under fire or section 8 ? The truth unfolds in good time.
Dialog is excellent between Saunders, Hanley, and the rest of the squad, a testament to solid screen writing by David Z. Goodman. Hanley seems to best understand Lawson feeling he'll shape up. Excellent conflict is created with respect to Lawson in that Nelson's in awe, Littlejohn's humorous, Saunders is frustrated, and Kirby 's ballistic. The Sarge finally comes through with solid wisdom for Kirby, who's carrying on like a kid who just had his candy taken away from him. In addition, Hanley barking orders at the barn is priceless!
The beginning artillery scenes reflected by archival footage are excellent. There's plenty of combat and I'm only critical of one scene, the barn. It's a shame Director Stanley did not fix this. Lawson entering the barn was well conceived and written, but Stanley cut the scene short. A few more seconds of filming should have been done inside the barn to appropriately tell the story.
As usual, you cannot keep Saunders down. After Lt. Hanley orders an attack on German recon vehicles, the Sarge picks Lawson to come along even though trouble may be imminent. The ending is very befitting & well executed.
Excellent story !