When we think of World War II television today, Band of Brothers often comes to mind as the genre's crowning achievement. But long before that HBO miniseries raised the bar, a five-season series from the 1960s was already changing how war was portrayed on the small screen. Combat!, which aired from 1962 to 1967, dared to show the grim reality of battle at a time when most war stories were still wrapped in patriotic gloss.
In an era when Hollywood often polished war into an adventurous romp, Combat! took a different path. Creator Robert Pirosh wanted to strip away the propaganda and show viewers what soldiers truly faced. The series follows a squad of American GIs as they move through post-D-Day Europe, but unlike earlier shows, it didn't shy away from defeat, loss, and the psychological toll of combat. This wasn't about cheering for the good guys to win every time—it was about understanding the cost of war.
Realism Over Romance
Before Combat!, most war films and TV shows leaned into a romanticized view of battle. Classics like Wings and The Grand Illusion offered glimpses of warfare, but they often lacked the raw emotional weight that real soldiers carried. Even Stanley Kubrick's Paths of Glory, while powerful, didn't reach the mass audience that television could. Combat! changed that by focusing on lower-ranking soldiers—men like Lieutenant Gil Hanley and Sergeant Chip Saunders—whose daily struggles felt authentic and unglamorous.
To achieve this level of realism, the show's producers went to extraordinary lengths. Cast members underwent a week of basic training at Fort Ord in California, and the Army assigned a technical advisor to ensure accuracy in weapons, uniforms, and vehicles. Many of the cast and crew were veterans themselves, which added a layer of authenticity that viewers could feel. This wasn't a costume party; it was a deliberate effort to recreate the war as it truly was.
A Star-Making Machine
Combat! also became a launching pad for some of Hollywood's biggest names. Legendary director Robert Altman helmed several episodes, and Richard Donner—later known for Superman and The Goonies—cut his teeth on the series. The guest star list reads like a who's who of classic cinema: James Caan, Robert Duvall, Charles Bronson, Lee Marvin, and Mickey Rooney all appeared. This influx of talent helped elevate the show beyond typical TV fare, making it a must-watch for audiences hungry for something more substantial.
For fans of modern war dramas like Band of Brothers or even recent hits like Sisu 2, Combat! offers a fascinating look at where the genre began. It's a reminder that gritty, character-driven war stories didn't start with the 21st century—they were being told decades earlier, one episode at a time.
If you're looking for a series that treats war with the seriousness it deserves, Combat! is a hidden gem worth discovering. It may lack the high production values of today's streaming giants, but its heart and honesty remain unmatched. And for those who appreciate how far the genre has come, it's essential viewing—a true pioneer that paved the way for everything that followed.
