Hitler's Last Stand

Suicide Hill is a single‑episode drama that aired as part of the 1970s war anthology series Combat Front. It stars a mixed‑heritage squad led by Lieutenant Kenji Saito (played by George Takei) and features a handful of British and American actors you’ll recognise from other WWII programmes. Essentially it’s “the lost battalion” story set in the Vosges, with a Japanese‑American regiment thrust into the thick of European fighting. The plot follows Saito’s unit as they hack their way through rain‑soaked pine forests, dodge mortar fire and finally stumble upon an American battalion that’s been cut off for weeks. Along the way the men contend with mud‑caked foxholes, a stubborn German commander and the ever‑present fear of being labelled “the enemy within”. The episode keeps the tension high without spilling all the beans too early – you get a decent mix of gritty combat, uneasy camaraderie and a few quiet moments where the soldiers write letters home. Honestly, it’s not a masterpiece, but it’s surprisingly good for its budget. The jungle‑like set feels a bit ropy by today’s standards, and the pacing drags in the middle, yet the handheld camera work gives it a raw, almost documentary feel that reminds you of Band of Brothers’ early episodes. If you enjoy war dramas that focus on the human side rather than big explosions, it’s worth a watch – think of it as a cross between The Pacific and the more modest British series Colditz. Rated TV‑14 for realistic violence, some language and brief scenes of graphic injury. Fair warning: the rain‑soaked battlefield can feel claustrophobic, and the period accents are a bit uneven. This was the first terrestrial showing of the episode in the UK, and while it never sparked a full‑scale remake, it’s occasionally cited as a cult favourite among fans of WWII TV. Grab a cuppa, settle in, and you’ll get a proper glimpse of a seldom‑told corner of the war.