The great character actor Nehemiah Persoff (who, as of this writing, is still with us at the age of 102) stars here as Carl Lanser, a German on a British ship (once part of a convoy, now all on its own in a heavy fog) during WWII. He's a haunted man because, although he does have some idea of who he is, he has no idea how he got there. The knowledge that he possesses is chilling: he has a definite feeling that the ship will be targeted and sunk by a German U-boat.
'Judgment Night' resonates rather well because it is dealing with that time-honored theme of a persons' reckoning. While it may not be a truly great episode since it's relatively easy to figure out / predict, it travels a fair distance on the wonderfully effective performance by Mr. Persoff. He's ably supported by Deirdre Owens, Patrick Macnee, Ben Wright, Hugh Sanders, and James Franciscus as a conscientious German soldier named Mueller. The episode also boasts superior atmosphere and a sense of foreboding, with Rod Serlings' narration typically doing a fine job of setting us up for a half hours' worth of the macabre. You just *know* that Lanser is likely on to something.
'Judgment Night' may not add up to a LOT, but it's generally good entertainment.
Written by Mr. Serling, and directed by the great John Brahm, who'd previously guided the more memorable 'Time Enough at Last'. Mr. Brahm would go on to direct 10 more episodes during the series' run.
Seven out of 10.
'Judgment Night' resonates rather well because it is dealing with that time-honored theme of a persons' reckoning. While it may not be a truly great episode since it's relatively easy to figure out / predict, it travels a fair distance on the wonderfully effective performance by Mr. Persoff. He's ably supported by Deirdre Owens, Patrick Macnee, Ben Wright, Hugh Sanders, and James Franciscus as a conscientious German soldier named Mueller. The episode also boasts superior atmosphere and a sense of foreboding, with Rod Serlings' narration typically doing a fine job of setting us up for a half hours' worth of the macabre. You just *know* that Lanser is likely on to something.
'Judgment Night' may not add up to a LOT, but it's generally good entertainment.
Written by Mr. Serling, and directed by the great John Brahm, who'd previously guided the more memorable 'Time Enough at Last'. Mr. Brahm would go on to direct 10 more episodes during the series' run.
Seven out of 10.