A Quality of Mercy
Encyclopedia
"A Quality of Mercy" is an episode of the American
television
anthology series The Twilight Zone
. The title is taken from William Shakespeare
's The Merchant of Venice
. It was later adapted into the first segment of Twilight Zone: The Movie
.
orders his war-weary soldiers to make a near-suicidal attack on a group of sick and wounded Japanese soldiers holed up in a cave. Sgt. Causarano, who knows the men have had enough of war, tries to talk him out of it -- the attack will accomplish nothing but pointless deaths on both sides -- but Katell pulls rank and stands firm on his orders, intent on proving himself.
Suddenly, Lt. Katell finds himself in Corregidor
, three years earlier in the war, and gets a new perspective. As Lt. Yamuri in the Japanese army, he is ordered to attack a group of American soldiers in the cave. In vain, he tries to dissuade the captain from the attack, but the Japanese captain believes the young man is sick with jungle fever
, or worse, has lost his nerve. He tells him to straighten up or stay with the wounded.
His mind reeling from what he has just experienced, Katell finds himself back in 1945, an American soldier, with his men telling him that they've gotten word the A-bomb has been dropped. They have been ordered not to attack the cave and to fall back. The young man seems relieved, in light of his revelation.
(1983), with a modern day approach in which the main character, Bill Konnors (played by Vic Morrow
) is a racist businessman who is upset after a promotion is passed on him for a Jewish man. After giving a prejudicial rant in a bar, he is then taken on a trip through time and is given similar justice of intolerance; a Jew during the Holocaust
, an African-American being lynched by the KKK and a Vietnamese being attacked by American soldiers during the Vietnam War
. It was directed by film director John Landis
. While filming the Vietnam scene of the segment, actor Vic Morrow and two young child actors were killed during a helicopter
stunt. Later, Landis along with the film's producers were put on trial for manslaughter
and child endangerment, but were found not guilty on all counts.
became well-known to science fiction
fans
as Al Calavicci
in the television series Quantum Leap (interestingly, the show revolves about one man "jumping" into another man's body like Stockwell's character in this episode when he "jumped" into the body of a Japanese officer). Leonard Nimoy
, who makes a brief appearance in this episode, also later became well-known as Mr. Spock in Star Trek
. Michael Pataki
also made appearances on Star Trek
, Star Trek: The Next Generation
and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
television
Television
Television is a telecommunication medium for transmitting and receiving moving images that can be monochrome or colored, with accompanying sound...
anthology series The Twilight Zone
The Twilight Zone (1959 TV series)
The Twilight Zone is an American anthology television series created by Rod Serling, which ran for five seasons on CBS from 1959 to 1964. The series consisted of unrelated episodes depicting paranormal, futuristic, dystopian, or simply disturbing events; each show typically featured a surprising...
. The title is taken from William Shakespeare
William Shakespeare
William Shakespeare was an English poet and playwright, widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's pre-eminent dramatist. He is often called England's national poet and the "Bard of Avon"...
's The Merchant of Venice
The Merchant of Venice
The Merchant of Venice is a tragic comedy by William Shakespeare, believed to have been written between 1596 and 1598. Though classified as a comedy in the First Folio and sharing certain aspects with Shakespeare's other romantic comedies, the play is perhaps most remembered for its dramatic...
. It was later adapted into the first segment of Twilight Zone: The Movie
Twilight Zone: The Movie
Twilight Zone: The Movie is a 1983 science fiction horror film produced by Steven Spielberg and John Landis as a theatrical version of The Twilight Zone, a 1959 and '60s TV series created by Rod Serling. Those starring in the film are: Dan Aykroyd, Albert Brooks, Vic Morrow, Scatman Crothers,...
.
Synopsis
A young gung-ho American, Second Lieutenant Katell, in World War IIWorld War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
orders his war-weary soldiers to make a near-suicidal attack on a group of sick and wounded Japanese soldiers holed up in a cave. Sgt. Causarano, who knows the men have had enough of war, tries to talk him out of it -- the attack will accomplish nothing but pointless deaths on both sides -- but Katell pulls rank and stands firm on his orders, intent on proving himself.
Suddenly, Lt. Katell finds himself in Corregidor
Corregidor
Corregidor Island, locally called Isla ng Corregidor, is a lofty island located at the entrance of Manila Bay in southwestern part of Luzon Island in the Philippines. Due to this location, Corregidor was fortified with several coastal artillery and ammunition magazines to defend the entrance of...
, three years earlier in the war, and gets a new perspective. As Lt. Yamuri in the Japanese army, he is ordered to attack a group of American soldiers in the cave. In vain, he tries to dissuade the captain from the attack, but the Japanese captain believes the young man is sick with jungle fever
Tropical disease
Tropical diseases are diseases that are prevalent in or unique to tropical and subtropical regions. The diseases are less prevalent in temperate climates, due in part to the occurrence of a cold season, which controls the insect population by forcing hibernation. Insects such as mosquitoes and...
, or worse, has lost his nerve. He tells him to straighten up or stay with the wounded.
His mind reeling from what he has just experienced, Katell finds himself back in 1945, an American soldier, with his men telling him that they've gotten word the A-bomb has been dropped. They have been ordered not to attack the cave and to fall back. The young man seems relieved, in light of his revelation.
Adaptation
The episode would later be remade into the first segment of Twilight Zone: The MovieTwilight Zone: The Movie
Twilight Zone: The Movie is a 1983 science fiction horror film produced by Steven Spielberg and John Landis as a theatrical version of The Twilight Zone, a 1959 and '60s TV series created by Rod Serling. Those starring in the film are: Dan Aykroyd, Albert Brooks, Vic Morrow, Scatman Crothers,...
(1983), with a modern day approach in which the main character, Bill Konnors (played by Vic Morrow
Vic Morrow
Victor "Vic" Morrow was an American actor whose credits include a starring role in the 1960s TV series Combat!, prominent roles in a handful of other television and cinema dramas, and numerous guest roles on television...
) is a racist businessman who is upset after a promotion is passed on him for a Jewish man. After giving a prejudicial rant in a bar, he is then taken on a trip through time and is given similar justice of intolerance; a Jew during the Holocaust
The Holocaust
The Holocaust , also known as the Shoah , was the genocide of approximately six million European Jews and millions of others during World War II, a programme of systematic state-sponsored murder by Nazi...
, an African-American being lynched by the KKK and a Vietnamese being attacked by American soldiers during the Vietnam War
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
. It was directed by film director John Landis
John Landis
John David Landis is an American film director, screenwriter, actor, and producer. He is known for his comedies, his horror films, and his music videos with singer Michael Jackson.-Early life and career:...
. While filming the Vietnam scene of the segment, actor Vic Morrow and two young child actors were killed during a helicopter
Helicopter
A helicopter is a type of rotorcraft in which lift and thrust are supplied by one or more engine-driven rotors. This allows the helicopter to take off and land vertically, to hover, and to fly forwards, backwards, and laterally...
stunt. Later, Landis along with the film's producers were put on trial for manslaughter
Manslaughter
Manslaughter is a legal term for the killing of a human being, in a manner considered by law as less culpable than murder. The distinction between murder and manslaughter is said to have first been made by the Ancient Athenian lawmaker Dracon in the 7th century BC.The law generally differentiates...
and child endangerment, but were found not guilty on all counts.
Cast and crew
Many cast members from this episode went on to achieve fame in later science fiction television series. The episode's main protagonist Dean StockwellDean Stockwell
Dean Stockwell is an American actor of film and television, with a career spanning over 65 years. As a child actor under contract to MGM he first came to the public's attention in films such as Anchors Aweigh and The Green Years; as a young adult he played a lead role in the 1957 Broadway and...
became well-known to science fiction
Science fiction
Science fiction is a genre of fiction dealing with imaginary but more or less plausible content such as future settings, futuristic science and technology, space travel, aliens, and paranormal abilities...
fans
Fandom
Fandom is a term used to refer to a subculture composed of fans characterized by a feeling of sympathy and camaraderie with others who share a common interest...
as Al Calavicci
Al Calavicci
Rear Admiral Upper Half Albert “Al” Calavicci USN is a fictional character on the science fiction drama Quantum Leap, created by Donald P. Bellisario and played by Dean Stockwell.-Biography:...
in the television series Quantum Leap (interestingly, the show revolves about one man "jumping" into another man's body like Stockwell's character in this episode when he "jumped" into the body of a Japanese officer). Leonard Nimoy
Leonard Nimoy
Leonard Simon Nimoy is an American actor, film director, poet, musician and photographer. Nimoy's most famous role is that of Spock in the original Star Trek series , multiple films, television and video game sequels....
, who makes a brief appearance in this episode, also later became well-known as Mr. Spock in Star Trek
Star Trek: The Original Series
Star Trek is an American science fiction television series created by Gene Roddenberry, produced by Desilu Productions . Star Trek was telecast on NBC from September 8, 1966, through June 3, 1969...
. Michael Pataki
Michael Pataki
Michael Pataki was an American character actor.-Early life:Pataki born in Youngstown, Ohio. He attended the University of Southern California with a double major in Political Science and Drama...
also made appearances on Star Trek
Star Trek: The Original Series
Star Trek is an American science fiction television series created by Gene Roddenberry, produced by Desilu Productions . Star Trek was telecast on NBC from September 8, 1966, through June 3, 1969...
, Star Trek: The Next Generation
Star Trek: The Next Generation
Star Trek: The Next Generation is an American science fiction television series created by Gene Roddenberry as part of the Star Trek franchise. Roddenberry, Rick Berman, and Michael Piller served as executive producers at different times throughout the production...
and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine is a science fiction television series set in the Star Trek universe...
.