John
Peyser's personal recollections of filming in
Spain.
(Special
bonus! Sylvia Peyser gives
a glimpse
of life in Almeria Spain
for the families of the cast and crew of The Rat Patrol.)
Meet the
director of the formative first season RAT PATROL episodes.
Take a peek behind the scenes. Read a director's look
back at the actors, the crew, the conditions, and the 'politics' for
a series we love to this day.
Twenty-four
pages of 'interview'
A sample
of the many questions:
How did you
become involved in THE RAT PATROL?
What was it
like filming in desert conditons?
Did the
actors have some say in defining the characters?
Looking back
at RAT PATROL, what are your impressions of the series now?
Do you recall
if the 'humanizing' of Dietrich was specifically due to the efforts
of Hans Gudegast and if so, was it a hard fought battle on his part?
Did the
principal actors do most of their own stunt work?
Were the
various ruins used, actual ruins, or were they constructed as needed?
Do you have
any particular memories of this [Moment of Truce] episode?
Where did the
idea for a three-parter come from [Last Harbour Raid]?
Did you have
any sense that the mass firing was coming?
Do you wish
to comment on the reason why RAT PATROL only had two seasons before
it was shut down?
A note from
the 'interviewer' for this publication.
John Peyser
died in August of 2002. A man with a long and rich life in the
field of television and film directing and who gave us many examples
of his fine work. To those who love The
Rat Patrol, John Peyser did more than
direct the first episodes of the series. He molded the
characters and series into something that has stood the test of time
and which we continue to cherish to this day.
A fine
director and a truly fine gentleman. |