Thursday Television Review: Rat Patrol

The Rat Patrol

Rat Patrol (1967-1968)

Starring: Christopher George, Gary Raymond, Lawrence Casey, Justin Tarr, and Hans Gudegast

Summary

Four allied soldiers roam the North African desert during World War Two with the goal of doing as much harm as they can to the Nazi outposts stationed there. An elite team, they use jeeps to enter enemy territory, using their machine guns to destroy as much as possible in quick time. Their main foe, the leader of the Nazis in that area, is Captain Hans Dietrich (Hans Gudegast). A calm man with much patience. Constantly befuddled at how well the allied team can bring chaos to his ranks and always hoping to catch them off guard.

Captain Dietrich 

The allied team is led by American Sergeant Sam Troy (Christopher George), who is tough and willing to do anything to get the job done. Rough and ready, he will do anything to get the job done. Loyal, he even turned down promotion to stay with his men. Never sending his men to do something he wouldn’t do himself, Troy often uses the term “Let’s shake it!” when he wants to move out. Although seemingly tough on the outside, he has a big heart and won’t leave a man behind.

Troy and Hitch

Troy’s driver and all around side-man is Private Mark “Hitch” Hitchcock (Lawrence Casey). Private school boy, he is still willing to do whatever comes his way and has the ability of driving into enemy fire without dropping his bubble gum (of which he has ready supply). Always clad in his red Foreign Legion cap, Hitch wants to prove that he is able to do the hard things too, not just live the easy life. He is known for saying “Who was there Sarge, you or me?” in reference to something he relates to Troy. Sentimental and loyal to the team, Hitch is the man you want by your side.

On a raid

Troy’s equal is British Sergeant Jack Moffitt (Gary Raymond), always dapper in his beret. Joining the military to prove he wasn’t above it or couldn’t do it, Moffitt comes from an extremely well-educated family and is well-educated himself. Having a Ph.D. in Archaeology and the study of ancient peoples, he can’t get lost in the desert. He has had several trips there throughout his lifetime and is often helping the team get somewhere. But don’t think he’s just brains, because he will head straight into enemy lines with guns blazing in a second. Able to speak German, French, and Arabic fluently, he is also the team’s major asset.

Stuck in a sticky situation

Moffitt’s driver and all around jeep man is Private Tully Pettigrew (Justin Tarr). Described as the best driver, able to escape anyone, especially if he’s got moonshine. Tully is a quiet, slightly sarcastic character. Taking life as it comes and willing to take any order from Troy or Moffitt. Alert and prepared, Tully will often be the one to stand guard duty or fix the jeeps. Tully is known for chewing on a match stick and is the only character that wears a traditional American uniform.

Hitch and Tully

Together, the four of them accomplish great things for the allies as they go up against Captain Dietrich. Never losing their sense of humor, the Rat Patrol keeps their spirits up and stands together.

Moffitt in disguise 

Review

Rat Patrol is a fun series from the 1960s. Very clean, as far as war scenes go, with scenes of blow ups and injuries, but without blood and gore.

On the go

A fun series that draws you into the lives of each of the allied characters as well as the Nazi leader. The right amount of vagueness that keeps you interested in each character, with episodes here and there revealing one thing more about one of them. Captain Dietrich is a puzzlement, wanting to get back at the allies, he still has a common sense view of the situation. He is an excellent antagonist.

A Nazi patrol on the go

Although, naturally drawn to Moffitt, who seems to be the one with all the brains and a wonderful British accent to boot, it is Tully that seems a mystery. Not known for saying much, his character leaves you guessing a lot of what he’s thinking. You know he’s loyal to his command and willing to give the shirt off his back (almost doing that several times). But there is little known of him. If the series had continued, perhaps he would have been fleshed out a little bit more.

Hitch and Tully

Hitch and Troy add the classic American feel to the show. Although Troy wears an Australian hat and Hitch the Foreign Legion campaign cap, they are very American. Ready to wink at a pretty face, but also ready to stop a grenade. Troy’s calm and husky voice make him perfect as leader and Hitch’s New York accent helps his humor come out more.

Moffitt

The music is perfectly matched and suited to the series and the personalities of each. The action of the jeeps racing through the desert and over sand dunes makes for exciting episodes.

On the watch

Well worth the watching!

Ellen Nolan

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