Combat! (1962) Parents Guide: Is the series OK for kids?

There is no sexual content or nudity depicted in this season. The focus remains strictly on the tactical and psychological aspects of World War II front-line infantry. Any interactions with civilians or local populations are portrayed with professional military decorum or platonic gravity.

Violence is frequent and central to the series, depicting the harsh realities of war. This includes numerous firefights with machine guns, rifles, and grenades, often leading to soldiers being shot and wounded, with visible blood and reactions to injury. Explosions, hand-to-hand combat, and bayonet usage are also shown. Deaths are a constant presence, sometimes depicted graphically, but more often implied or shown off-screen, emphasizing the grim consequences of battle without dwelling on excessive gore.

Mild battlefield exclamations like "damn" and "hell" are used infrequently, reflecting the tension of combat situations. Characters occasionally use terms like "Krauts" as derogatory references to German soldiers. There is no strong profanity.

Occasional scenes show soldiers drinking alcohol, typically from canteens or bottles, to cope with stress or in celebratory settings, but never to the point of severe intoxication. Some episodes briefly depict soldiers taking sips of wine or liquor in French villages with no strong emphasis on alcohol use or abuse.

This season delves into the psychological and moral aspects of war. Themes include coping with fear, courage versus cowardice, the burden of leadership, prejudice, and the dehumanizing effects of prolonged combat. Episodes explore grief, the difficult choices soldiers must make, and the challenges of integrating new recruits into battle-hardened units.