TV Gold

With it's strong links to 'Secret Army' both infront of and behind the camera this popular series has long been an eagerly awaited DVD title however due to contractual difficulties no official release seems to be forthcoming. Thankfully 'raretelevision' have stepped in to fill the void and present the entire twentyfour episodes on a seven disc DVD set and for me it seemed the obvious next 'investment purchase' that I'll be dipping into over the coming weeks...

So with a quick 'BEWARE UNAVOIDABLE SPOILERS' warning here are some thought about the first episode...

Disc One - Season 01 : Episode 01 – “The Undefeated” by Brian Degas
The distinctive ‘fading Nazi flag against locations and objects connected with Colditz’ series titles give way to black and white archive footage of the warfare and subsequent capture of allied soldiers in the area of Dunkerque with an establishing date graphic of 4th June 1940 being flashed up on screen. This is matched with Winston Churchill’s memorable ‘fight on the beaches’ speech before being replaced by a German propaganda radio broadcast. The news footage is seamlessly blended with specially shot material of a group of soldiers being marched along with the camera clearly picking out the familiar features of actor Edward Hardwicke whom soon becomes the focal character of this first story. As black and white slowly gives way to colour our collection of allied prisoners make their way into German prison camp 7c (complete with a new date caption of 26th June 1940) with the captured personnel taking a moment to glance around the tall imposing building surrounds to which they are approaching. A German soldier is on hand close by with movie camera, capturing their arrival no doubt for military propaganda purposes. We later discover that this camp is apparently 700 miles from Dunkerque, a distance that amazingly the new arrivals have covered on foot. After being afforded a brief period of most welcome time to rest up on the hard courtyard floor out steps the Commandant (played by Michael Sheard) whom, through the English translation of his deputy, intones the basic rules he expects the new arrivals to adhere to, delivered in his preferred German. We then witness the soldiers being led off, having their heads shaved, catalogued and photographed. It is at this point that we establish that Hardwicke’s character is Captain Patrick Grant with a military service number of 58974 however the German’s refer to him simply as prisoner number 257. Grant naturally harbours thoughts of escape which seems to be, initially, totally at variants with the fellow prisoner he later encounters back in the bunkroom to which he has been assigned. It transpires during their conversation that it is estimated that the camp holds six hundred men at the time of this episode, not all of which are totally committed to the idea of escape. A subsequent scene finds Grant now with a full head of hair (indicating what I believe is a considerable passage of time since his initial arrival) talking with three other like-minded prisoners whom are further enthused by the new outspoken arrival. The first attempt is made on a Sunday night climb over the prison roofs by a balaclava wearing Grant however, although attempting to file through the electric wire for lights this is soon discounted due to the propensity of guards on duty in the area. With seconds to spare he returns to the window of the room he started from thanks to the climbing of a knotted together bed sheet rope. Next, using a makeshift telescope Grant and another man observe an elderly lady making her regular route from a nearby woodshed, usually around 6.15am. Having indicated his previous vocation of Civil Engineer, Grant proposes that they dig a tunnel toward the shed and he estimates that such a shaft would take them approximately forty-five days. Initially this begins with the use of three six inch nails secured together however their tunnelling endeavours soon benefit from an unexpected piece of good fortune. Out in the courtyard considerable commotion arises when a large packing case suddenly falls from the back of a delivery truck onto the stone surface which breaks the container and spills its contents, mostly papers, across the ground. With prisoners rushing forward seeing what they can appropriate the guards are so occupied in keeping order that this allows one officer to make his way unnoticed into the trucks cab where he grabs sundry tools which had been stored under the drivers seat. Naturally the Commandant is outraged by this and although he makes his feelings plain to the assembled prisoners at the next role call the seven articles do not seem to be returned. Instead the officer concerned, now known as Cameron (played by future “Taggart” lead actor Mark McManus) joins the small escape party by offering ‘hammer and chisel’ to aid the tunnelling endeavours. By studying plans that have come their way it transpires that adjacent to their route there is a sewage tunnel the use of which could greatly speed up their escape attempt. However knocking through the brickwork it immediately becomes apparent that it is not disused causing an instant temporary halt to their work as they scamper out of the confined shaft coughing and spluttering. Despite this brief setback the tunnel is eventually completed and, with native clothing disguises, they leave the shed at five minute intervals with Cameron ultimately staying behind to lock the shed door behind them. Although location filming for this portion of the story helps to indicate the amount of ground the escapees cover the passage of time since their escape is only really indicated when, in a phone call with his superiors, the Commandant indicates that nine days have elapsed. Now as someone whom has never seen this series before I initially expected that we’d start off in Colditz itself but the approach taken by “The Undefeated” seems a more fitting establishing central series character piece providing viewers with a worthy back story context to Captain Patrick Grant. Although not totally without merit this generally feels in my opinion relatively tame fare presenting limited dramatic tension and conflict between prisoners and Germans.

...and of the second episode I'd like to say the following...

Disc One - Season 01 : Episode 02 – “Missing Presumed Dead” by Ian Kennedy Martin
It’s now May 1940 and a sepia tinted establishing shot of an airfield somewhere in England gradually fades into normal colour as a military truck pulls up alongside a flight crew operative working on a plane. Sitting in the passenger seat of the vehicle the familiar blonde haired handsome features of actor David McCallum can be seen looking quite resplendent in a RAF uniform. He initially berates the man before the enlisted figure ultimately concludes the conversation by saying that the Commander wants a word with him. Now identified as Flight Lieutenant Simon Carter, McCallum’s character is in direct verbal conflict with his superior Canak regarding his berating the ground crews efficiency in preparing aircraft. Later away from the airfield Carter meets with Cathy, his wife of a mere two months where his betrothed implicitly pleads with him to speak with her father before taking the decision to continue his vocation of bomber pilot. There is a night op that evening with take off at 2100 hrs, a mere two hours away but despite this he ultimately agrees to Cathy’s wishes once he has driven the vintage brown Wolesy motor car to a nearby church where his beloved is due to join fellow musicians for an evening of stringed instrument practice. Meanwhile Carter meets Cathy’s father in his wine cellar where the elderly man attempts to convince him the folly of a continued bomber pilot career and instead offers him the chance of a job as a new aircraft test pilot. Carter will not be dissuaded and he momentarily visits the church hall where he briefly gazes towards Cathy playing violin amongst her three other musicians there is plaintively a noticeable degree of upset in her eyes as he non verbally indicates that he is indeed going on the op that evening. Again archive footage of bomber take off and German military ground gunfire effectively blend with aircraft interior scenes of Carter and his aircrew during the mission, a generally exciting sequence with an expected tragic ending. The Flight Lieutenant ‘hits the silk’ and he and his aircrew parachute into enemy territory later estimated as being twenty to thirty kilometres from Essen. Whilst his navigator lies stricken on the ground with suspected two broken legs Carter, having escaped totally unscathed from the landing observes, the following morning, a party of six Hitler Youth boys accompanied by two leaders (all of which are armed) it brings into sharp focus the dangerous nature of their surroundings. Carter then spots a bicycle riding local priest and, having changed into civilian clothes he approaches the cleric, hoping for some form of assistive help but is curtly turned away. After attending a church service Carter is subsequently followed by a plain-clothes Gestapo man whom ultimately captures the fleeing Flight Lieutenant. Together they make a brief stop at the priests home and whilst there a military ambulance passes by carrying the injured navigator whom gives the thumbs up signal to his captured superior. Carter and the priest are both forced into the back of an awaiting military lorry, the reason being that the cleric has been hiding Jewish children. In transit there is a struggle and having overpowered the guard and the Gestapo man Carter goes on alone driving the lorry before being stopped at a military checkpoint. Getting his own back the Gestapo man handcuffs the Flight Lieutenant, drags him off to some nearby bushes, punches and kicks him and then takes his watch and identity papers before their journey is recommenced. Carter then finds himself at Otenlager II prison camp where the Commandant, Esslin is played by Oscar Quitak, an actor whom went on to play Josef Mengela in the six-part “Kessler” series. There seems to be a relatively relaxed atmosphere in this camp and the ranking British army officer views the arrival of the RAF Flight Lieutenant as a potential disruptive influence on the established seemingly convivial status quo that they have. Despite his attempts to instil a sense of patience regarding possible escape from the camp Carter remains unrepentant in his single-minded goal of freedom at the earliest possibility. The first of which presents itself when the prisoners are discovered in laundry baskets that were about to be loaded onto an awaiting truck. The German soldiers show typical callous enthusiasm with their rifle butts towards the sheets and the now uncovered men. Carter enthuses the other prisoners to suitably remonstrate the German’s treatment of their colleagues and in the confusion he jumps into the lorry and drives off smashing through the gates. However in the subsequent gunfire directed towards the departing vehicle a stray shot manages to hit the fuel tank and soon the lorry grinds to a shuddering halt. Carter just manages to pull the vehicle off the main road before heading off towards the railway where he manages to climb aboard a boxcar being pulled by a large steam locomotive. As he looks up from his secluded position at the bright sunshine above he momentarily remembers Cathy’s plaintively upset features as she played her violin, added incentive, if any were needed as to which it is so very important that he successfully return to England after this failed bombing operation. Back at the country house where she and her father reside their peace is disturbed by a visit, just after 3.00am by a RAF officer whom suspects that Carter may be captured having been shot down over enemy territory. Well the Flight Lieutenant eventually vacates the train and by means of an upended tree trunk halts another military truck just long enough for him to climb undetected onto its roof. When the vehicle makes a stop at a farm he slides off and proceeds into the hen coop although whilst eating an egg he is discovered by the farmer whom, shotgun in hand, hands the thief straight over to the Germans. Carter is then returned to Otenlager II where he is told that he only got about four miles from the camp and his only achievement is to be sent to Colditz. Naturally watching this story you can’t help but draw comparisons with the similarly attired scenes that cropped up in the second eight-part ‘Sapphire and Steel’ story at that Railway station replete with the dramatic ‘bailing out’ sequence up in the deserted first floor hotel room. Personally I felt “Missing Presumed Dead” was a far better, exciting premise than the series opener thanks in part to some worthy character backstory (e.g. Cathy and her father plus the conflict Carter has with his airfield superior). Carter in my opinion, exhibits a far greater, more determined resolve than Edward Hardwicke’s Grant and through the events that transpire during this story it’s even more evident why he is ultimately destined to finish up in Colditz.

Regarding this 'raretelevision' title release and I was surprised to find a rather professional selection menu on offer for each disc, here's an example of the first...

http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z152/saraht1102/Colditz-examplediscmenu.jpg

No looped theme tune but there is looped footage from each episode on offer.

Although new to me I'm really starting to get into this series after watching the fifth and sixth episodes last night.

...meanwhile back to some thoughts on last weeks pair with this...

Disc One - Season 01 : Episode 03 – “Name, Rank and Number” by Arden Winch
The titles give way to German soldiers down by the waters edge dragging a man from the sea in this third offering. Making their way up the stony beach the military transfer the stranger into a waiting ambulance and on to a nearby hospital where a German officer questions the attending doctor about the mysterious new arrival whom has been found close to St Nicolas DeBrett, a known U-boat base. The consulting medic is unable to offer any further information about the identity of the unconscious man and grudgingly the officer leaves with the promise that he shall return the following morning when he hopes to resume questioning the newly arrived patient. Now on his own the fair-haired man awakens, climbs out of bed and moves to the door with a view to escaping. With dexterous skill he gains the key from the other side of the door by knocking it out of the lock by use of a paperclip and then pulling the waiting piece of paper with the resting key along the floor. Then having purloined a pair of German officer’s trousers whilst he is showering the man then proceeds to look in nearby lockers for shoes and possibly money. It’s now very late at night and, having left the hospital, he makes his way to a nearby train station where he has the misfortune to encounter a soldier on patrol. He is fortunate to be able to seemingly convincingly bluff his way thanks to the identity documents he appropriated. The soldier is rather chatty and understandably inquisitive of the seemingly shifty man whom clearly doesn’t realise that there will not be any trains tonight (well the time is now 1.30am!) and suggests that he return around 7.00am in the morning. As day breaks our mystery man prowls around the railway tracks before finding a box car with tarpaulin which is loose enough for him to remove sufficiently enough to allow him to gain entry into the container. After a short trip he arrives down at the nearby harbour where he locates and attempts to start a small motorboat moored alongside the quayside. It is here that whilst he is toiling away at the engine that a rifle bearing German soldier steps forward and takes the man prisoner. We then shift to a military office where the man is roughly brought before Captain Deets whom might be familiar to viewers had he been wearing a monocle in addition to his German military uniform. Need a bit more clues? Well the actor concerned, David Garfield, previously appeared in the classic series Doctor Who Second Doctor epic, the soon to be released on DVD story “The War Games” as First World War German Officer Von Weich. Anyway Deets does not make any significant progress in his questioning the suspect so he is then later turned over to two senior officers in their shared office. This significant ‘debrief’ session features actors whom should be familiar to viewers with a reasonable cult television knowledge. Firstly the senior man is played by Nigel Stock whom, for me at least, is best remembered for playing the ‘alternate number six’ in ‘The Prisoner’ episode “Do Not Forsake Me Oh My Darling” whilst his junior associate, once again filling out a German uniform is actor Terence Hardiman whom needs no introduction to fans of “Secret Army” and “Wish Me Luck”! Anyway our fair-haired stranger is, at this point, identified as Flt. Lt. Dick Player and is played by another familiar actor, it’s none other than Christopher Neale, someone whom went on to play Curtis in the first season of “Secret Army”. You know throughout “Name, Rank and Number” I personally found it difficult to differentiate between his portrayal of Curtis and Dick Player but it was certainly good to have him on board for this reasonably entertaining slice of “Secret Army”. It’s quite a protracted interrogation that Player has with the two German’s but eventually he blurts out a past association with a Paul Eissinger and grudgingly he is escorted to the third floor palatial apartment of this respected German socialite. This individual speaks with a clipped German accent, wears a high necked surgical support collar and has some particularly strong political opinions slanted against Britain, something that he attempts to gain Player’s agreement and assistance in supporting. When he fervently declines Eissinger summarily assists in his former friend’s transfer to Colditz in the dying few minutes of the story where he encounters the familiar features of Grant, Carter and other regulars whom we will undoubtedly see in subsequent episodes. With its initial mystery surrounding Player’s arrival, washed up on the shore coupled with the strong ideological opinions of Eissinger “Name, Rank and Number” is a strong interesting offering further embellished by some worthy familiar guest star appearances.

...to be followed up with this...

Disc One - Season 01 : Episode 04 – “Welcome To Colditz” by N.J.Crisp
A man furtively walking in a forest warily scans the surrounding area, and indeed with good reason! Close by a platoon of German troops are deployed from an army lorry and with further men, dogs and a motorcycle and sidecar this indeed seems like a significant search. The military do eventually capture this individual although this sequence seems rather detached from the main premise of this fourth story. Back in the central compound of Colditz a car pulls up and a British soldier emerges gaining the interest of those residents whom were in the courtyard. He pulls off his coat to reveal senior officer rank insignia and indeed the German military show more courtesy to this individual than is normally bestowed on other allied prisoners. Identified as Lt Colonel Creston he has been granted a private albeit delayed audience with the camp Kommandant. In his office the familiar features of Bernard Hepton takes the role of the Colditz commander whom at the time of Creston’s arrival is speaking with his son before he leaves for active duty. This establishes straight from the outset some useful personal backstory to this character. When the two men eventually meet the two ranking officers are suitably courteous to one another as they attempt to forge a convivial working relationship. Although distanced from the fighting the Kommandant keeps an up to date map of current bombing endeavours against Britain on his wall which I think indicates his feelings about being posted away from the main area of conflict. We learn a bit about Creston’s past in that he gained his commission from the Territorial Army and from his marriage of seven years has two children. During their conversation Creston gains the Kommandant’s assistance in arranging for the delivery of Red Cross parcels, something that is received with unthinking relish by the men under his command before Creston asserts his authority in rationing the gratefully received supplies. A degree of trust between the Kommandant and Creston is summarily shattered regarding the order to segregate the Polish and British prisoners when unbeknownst to the Lt Colonel, a Polish prisoner is hidden in the British prisoner area. Taking responsibility for this ‘pathetic’ scheme Creston accepts fourteen days solitary confinement, something that Flt Lieutenant Carter has previously endured (30 days worth) due to his escape attempt, hiding in a lorry on the Lt Colonel’s arrival. Creston suitably chews out the men under his command regarding the hiding of a Polish prisoner stating the harsh true facts that they are failed escapees and that Colditz is four hundred miles from the Swiss border. In the latter stages (about ten minutes from the end) the bedraggled figure of the man whom we’d witnessed attempting a forest escape at the top of the episode arrives at Colditz and apart from seeing that this individual is played by familiar Hollywood star Robert Wagner we still know little about him. It’s worth mentioning amongst the current inmates we have an individual known as Downing, whom despite fielding a particularly large cheesy moustache, is played by Richard Heffer whom went on to play Peter Porteous, a character from the LWT television series “Enemy At The Door”. Personally I felt that “Welcome To Colditz” was a fairly routine, predictable offering but worthy for establishing the initial relationship between the camp Kommandant and incoming British ranking officer, Lt Colonel Creston.

So back to offer some 'first time viewer' thoughts from me beginning with...

Disc Two - Season 01 : Episode 05 – “Maximum Security” by John Kruse
It’s an early start for our Colditz residents in the fifth episode “Maximum Security” as the guard disturbs the British prisoners on a cold morning. Conditions certainly seem grim for our inmates whom after the (albeit brief) delights of the previous episodes Red Cross parcels return back to a breakfast of acorn juice (?) and (seemingly) stale loafs of bread. Early in this story we see Lt Colonel Creston visiting Bill Carrington in solitary confinement and during their conversation we get a brief idea of the background of this rather reclusive character. Apparently he has been a foreign correspondent in Berlin and then later was picked up by the Police in Hamburg. Back on the German side of things and in the Kommandant’s office we find the ranking officer welcoming the camps new security officer, Ulmann, played with typically cool dispassionate inflection by actor Hans Meyer. The Kommandant has his suspicions as to why this man, whom appears to be in perfect physical condition, has been posted to this seemingly out of the way billet. During the course of the episode his concerns apparently fade away as Ulmann gains the trust and respect of his superior and he plays an important part in preparing for an important security conference that Colditz is hosting. Unexpectedly this gathering was brought forward from the previously stated ten to a mere three days soon after Ulmann joins the camp which no doubt will have viewers wondering if this new security officer was instrumental in arranging this change. There is definitely an intimation through the wary prisoner faces at the window looking down at the compound and the way that he reprimands a seemingly slack guard that Ulmann is a far stricter officer than his direct predecessor. He further causes friction with the rather cynical Major Schaeffer, the camps second in command whom coupled with a distinct propensity for alcohol has a rather derogatory opinion of the current state of German warfare beyond the confines of Colditz. This the very situation that the Kommandant hopes to avoid from those under his command and finds himself attempting to defend the manner of Schaeffer when Ulmann suggests that the camps medical officer should be consulted in this matter. Later, in a private conversation with his deputy the Kommandant (whom during a phone call we learn has a first name of Carl) helped arrange his posting to Colditz as a protective move against such a situation as Ulmann is attempting to instigate developing. Now regarding the conference and at the insistence of prison inmates Patrick Grant and Dick Player, Colonel Creston agrees to their attempt to attempt to tunnel to a point close enough to enable them to listen in on what is being discussed. Amusingly the diversion that is arranged to cover their endeavours is cockroach racing in the courtyard! Grant and Player eventually find themselves making their way out of the tunnel and up into a deserted room (bereft apart from a barbers chair, wash basin and a few scattered newspaper pages across the floor) above the dining room where the German officers are assembled. Having removed a few floorboards it indeed seems fortuitous that there is a small spy hole in the floor as the two men do not have any tools to make such an aperture. This is definitely a critical meeting for our British heroes to eavesdrop as what is being discussed is the change of role for the Colditz camp with significant stringent security measures being proposed by Ulmann. It’s worth noting, amongst the visiting officers attending the meeting the role of Schmelling is played by Peter Nyles, an actor whom would later be seen in a similar type of Nazi German role, that of Nyder, the loyal deputy of Davros in the Doctor Who classic series story “Genesis of The Daleks”. “Maximum Security” is a great introduction for new Security Officer Ulmann, dispassionately portrayed by actor Hans Meyer and coupled with a great performance by Michael Gough whom shares a worthy insightful scene with the Kommandant this is certainly a satisfactory slice of 70s wartime drama.

I watched a fascinating documenty last night on National Geographic chanel last night. Under the title of "Churchill's German Army" it featured real story recollection from German's whom fled Germany just prior to WW2 and then enlisted in the British Army to fight against their fellow countryman. Amongst the men talking was one Ken Adam's later to become an Oscar winning Set Designer whom is best remembered for his wonderous stunning work on the James Bond film series.

Anyway enough waffle from me, some thoughts about the other episode of last week which goes, something like this...

Disc Two - Season 01 : Episode 06 – “The Spirit of Freedom” by Marc Brandel
Well this sixth episode finally sees Bill Carrington leave solitary and move into the main British billet however he still plays the loner and refuses to accept escape officer Patrick Grant’s assertion that escape would take months if indeed it is possible at all. During the brief time he spends with his fellow British prisoners Carrington clearly has a disruptive effect due to his own personal political views of the military conflict, something that is no doubt coloured by the considerable exposure he has had to a wide variety of combat situations as freelance journalist. “The Spirit of Freedom” finds our prisoners, for the first time, out in the camps exercise yard and beyond the usual familiar studio settings where a group of them are having a brief knock around with a football, an excellent distraction to the activities of Carter and Player. These two men, under the pretence of a playing conkers are infact taking crude compass measurements however their furtive endeavours are unduly disturbed by Carrington’s noticeable interest, something that gains the guards interest. With understandable contempt Carter spits out “Thanks yank” before ultimately this descends into a common brawl between the two men. They both subsequently gain solitary confinement punishments however for Carrington this is precisely what he wants. He later approaches the Kommandant and makes the request that he’d prefer if his time in solitary could be extended to enable him to finish writing a book. To the camps ranking officer’s enquiry as to the subject of the work Carrington replies that it is the German’s before astonishingly adding that it is the opinion that they are the winning side! Eventually the Gestapo hear of the subjective content of his writing and visit the camp. Their representative a bespectacled individual known as Bergman played brilliantly by actor Jonathan Lynn gave me the impression of a studious attentive bank clerk whom is so very keen on the minute details of his work. Personally I thought that it was a fascinatingly inventive ulterior motive to Carrington’s literary endeavours but it was obviously doomed to failure when he came up against the painstakingly attentive Bergman. Well there might not be much to say about this particular offering of Colditz but although it seems like another relatively slow burner it is certainly a particularly strong relatively simplistic premise which is believably delivered thanks to both Robert Wagner and Jonathan Lynn whose characters certainly prove worthy adversaries.

Gonna offer my thoughts about the couple of stories I watched last week today as tomorrow there's something else I'd like to talk about...

Disc Two - Season 01 : Episode 07 – “Lord Didn’t It Rain” by Arden Winch
Security Officer Ulmann is clearly keeping our British chaps on their toes as seventh episode “Lord Didn’t It Rain” begins as they scurry to and fro in hid and retrieve escape attempt items from a secret recessed area located under a floor tile under one of the double bunks. There’s some quick thinking on the part of Simon Carter by covering a red splodged piece of paper as being a piece of unfinished art work that he was currently working on. When calm in restored to their shared quarters new Officer arrival Edward Bentinct Boyle steps smartly in, full of an ebullient overtly British spirit. I certainly share Dick Player’s suspicions of someone whom could be a German in disguise and following his brining his concerns to Patrick Grant they get a fellow Winchester student to sound him out about his academic past. Anyway the central premise of the story concerns Player’s escape attempt which involves being smuggled out on a lorry carrying pallias sacks. Grant makes a deal with the French enlisted personnel detailed to load the truck which sees his initial bribe offer of 25 cigarettes raised to 100 although where he can lay his hands on so many of this particular camp currency is certainly questionable. Once beyond the confines of the camps inner compound Dick emerges from the sack in a storage room but is incredulous to discover, in full British military uniform, Bentict-Boyle! As German soldiers enter and poke around the sacks with their rifles he slowly gets to his feet and raising his hands graciously accepts that he has been captured. Before he departs he throws his cap back towards the still hiding Player, a quantity of money in the inner lining clearly visible to viewers. Although one of the soldiers picks it up its correct to assume that our out of sight escapee has removed the paper currency. We later see Dick sitting in a nearby café where he finds him on the defensive when in conversation with a mildly inquisitive 17th Panzer tank Officer. When this uniformed individual leaves Player raises to move towards the counter and notices the patron making a telephone call which he presumes concerns him. Naturally he quickly moves to leave however in the darkened rainy night outside he is offered a lift by a rather insistent German Army Officer. During their car journey no doubt observant viewers will notice that this German, known as Hans Hugenberg is played by Ray Smith, an actor whom went onto play Spikings, the no nonsense boss to LWT’s “Dempsey and Makepeace”. It’s certainly a much more challenging conversation for our Colditz escapee made all the worse by the fact that his health has now greatly deteriorated since leaving the camp. Back in the main compound Bentinct-Boyle is escorted across the courtyard towards solitary but momentarily falters on the steps with some verbal delaying tactics, suffice to give Pat Grant and two others time to drawn close. He then tosses his camp nonchalantly towards Grant whom on catching it removes a piece of paper secured in the lining. Later back in their billet Grant reads the note and together with some Latin quotations spoken by Bentinct-Boyle before he is escorted away the surmises that Player is safe and has successfully escaped… much to the delight of his fellow former prisoners! With much relief Dick leaves Hugenberg when he finally agrees to drop him off at a café close to a (train) station near Vienna although unfortunately we viewers not that he crucially drops the envelope containing the money that Bentinct-Boyle had given him. Although once again attempting to maintain a low profile Player he gains the interest of Sophie, a long blond haired half Jewish prostitute whom takes pity on the clearly unwell man and escorts him back to her place, a rather primitive wooden shack. She brings him bread rolls, knockwurst and cognac before ultimately stating that she believes he is a German deserter, something that Dick believing it is the safest course of action agrees to. Anyway out of desperation he leaves the ministrations of Sophie and elects to visit the local American consulate. Once there having disclosed his true identity of Colditz escapee he makes an impassioned appeal to the Consul and his secretary to loan him fifty marks for train fare. With slicked back hair and wearing glasses the consul (played by classic series Doctor Who ‘Davros’ actor Michael Wisher) maintains his countries strict neutrality on interacting with allied service personnel. You can empathise with the tortured emotions of Player thanks to a marvellously convincing performance of Christopher Neale whom plays this scene brilliantly. In fact Neale throughout “Lord Didn’t It Rain” really carries the story well with the premise featuring many dangers and possible pitfalls along the way with the viewer really not knowing whether he will be successful in his bid for freedom or will there be something that will ultimately trip him up.

One more from me and then I'm off to turn my thoughts to the next couple of stories that I'll be watching 'for the first time' tonight...

Disc Two - Season 01 : Episode 08 – “The Traitor” by John Brason
More nocturnal activities for our British prisoner contingent as eight story “The Traitor” opens and out across the roof a few of ‘our chaps’ including Simon Carter are joined by some of the camps Polish contingent. Ultimately this escape attempt is discovered once more by the alarmingly successful Ulmann and his security forces. Lt Colonel Creston later states in conversation with Pat Grant that this is the fourth raid that has been summarily found out by Ulmann. Suspicions of a traitor are further increased through a passing self assured comment that Ulmann made to Carter about their increased success rate. This leads to Creston convening a meeting with his ranking officer colleagues representing the Polish, French and Dutch prisoner contingent where he suggests that they each commence a rigorous security screening of their respective personnel. Under Creston’s instructions, with suitable despatch Pat Grant sets about this task and enlists the help of the camps only Irish catholic priest. Playing it with a steely resolve it is obviously an absolute delight to see ‘Second Doctor Who’ actor Patrick Troughton bring his considerable acting talent to bear on a character whom plays a pivotal role in this story. Shortly after concluding that the traitor is not within their number Creston gains news from the Polish ranking officer that a man called Soltizyk has been identified as the individual they had been looking for. Prior to his arrival in Colditz he was coerced to inform on prisoner activity by the Gestapo whom used the emotional leverage of physical threats against the mans wife and child to accede to their wishes. Undoubtedly this is distinctly painful for him to bear, having previously stated, in the initial meeting with his fellow divisional group leaders, that such a possibility was totally unthinkable considering how violently violated their country had been. A court martial is convened and ultimately Soltizyk is found guilty and sentence to death by hanging. For me Troughton really excels in a couple of key scenes of this story. When confronted with the news that Soltizyk is to be hanged he says to Creston that he knew of the man’s guilt when he’d revealed under private religious confession and he has to defend his decision to remain silent irrespective of the resulting harm that the man’s betrayal has caused to his fellow prisoners. When the midnight hour draws close and the Padre goes to hear the man’s last confession he vocally and physically defends the man’s life as the German soldiers attempt to break down the door. I also liked the final scene between the Kommandant and Creston in his office where he desperately pleads for his intervention in this proposed death sentence. There’s a touching moment where, just before detailing Ulmann to accede to Creston’s request, the Kommandant briefly looks at a photo of his wife and child and then turns to nod his agreement. It seems to me to be rather open ended as to Soltizyk’s fate now that his life has been saved. I suspect the Kommandant will use his influence to remove Soltizyk from Colditz and maybe arrange for him to be reunited with his family but maybe that might be just a little beyond his ability. Anyway I think it’s certainly fun to speculate. Although another serious offering there is surprisingly a moment of inadvertent humour with a new coffee concoction being briefly tried out, something that is made from wood shavings and burnt toffee… the mind boggles just what that might taste like! I guess this was not entirely successful as later on it is used as the main combustible material to start an impromptu fire in the British quarters. “The Traitor” is a great script from John Brason which for me, of course, is naturally elevated by another fine performance from Patrick Troughton whom plays the catholic priest with total religious conviction.

I'd like to start this week by saying this...

Disc Three - Season 01 : Episode 09 – “Bribery and Corruption” by N J Crisp
Whilst participating in the construction of a tunnel Dick Player succumbs to a painful tooth which requires urgent dental treatment. Provision is made for him to visit a dentist outside the camp in the nearby village under military escort. As he painfully struggles to accept the necessary work the soldier called Heller can be seen out of the corner of his eye talking with the nursing assistant. We get a few initial words spoken between the two in English however when the believe that the prisoner is seruptiously listening into their conversation they immediately revert to German. Despite this Dick learns that the woman is actually pregnant following an illicit liaison with the married Heller. Actually this neatly dovetails with the latest British escape attempt as on his return Dick conveys to Pat Grant that he believes they may have a way of a greater chance of success but it will cost them one thousand marks, the entire contingent of German currency that they have. From reconnaissance Grant is aware that the soldier patrolling the area where the tunnel emerges passes this point at a regular interval and that they only need five minutes to go unnoticed for their plan to succeed. Well (Bill) Carrington elects to ‘take a crack’ at gaining Heller’s confidence and initially establishes an amicable relationship with the soldier when he says that like the American prisoner he also has relatives in America, a father whose trade is that of a Baker has a business in Cleveland, Ohio. Firming up the friendship Heller passes an US newspaper to Carrington whilst Bill reciprocates with a bar of chocolate. With a good social interaction between the two men Carrington then broaches the subject of the ‘pregnant mistress’ and that he will need a considerable amount of money to arrange for an abortion. All that our likeable prisoner requires in return for the one thousand marks is for Heller, on that Wednesday night, around 10pm to go to the far end of the courtyard and wait for five minutes. Elsewhere there are conflicting emotional revelations for Colonel Creston when he has a meeting with the Kommandant. The ranking German officer begins by offering his congratulations for the British Colonel being awarded the DSO distinguished gallantry award for his part in the retreat from Dunkirk. This is then movingly counterpointed by the revelation that Creston being informed that his wife has died from injuries sustained whilst driving a ambulance, without lights at night during an air raid. You can palpably feel the blood run from Creston’s features as this upsetting news sinks in and it certainly seems to taint his emotional state and supervisory decisions during the remainder of this episode. Pat Grant attempts to arrange an impromptu celebration (which includes three corned beef fritters for each attendee) for those of their number whom would be escaping later that evening, to which understandably Creston is reluctant to attend. He does eventually accede and whilst at the gathering Carter accidentally spills tea over the Colonel’s jacket to which the Flight Lieutenant uses the excuse that he will go and clean it when in fact he gets another man skilled with a needle and cotton to sew on the DSO award onto the garment. The conversation eventually turns to Creston’s personal loss and the Colonel says that his children (ages six and four whom appear briefly in a photograph during this episode) are currently being looked after by his sister whom lives in Cheltenham. One of the escapees drops out and at the insistence of all around the table Creston eventually accedes to their wishes and joins those attempting to gain their freedom that night. However when they eventually emerge from the tunnel in the cold late evening air whom should be waiting but Heller, Ulmann and a full contingent of German soldiers whom are naturally incredulous to discover the camps ranking British officer amongst their number! For his part in the foiling of this escape attempt the Kommandant gives Heller promotion to Corporal and transfers him to a camp in his home town thus thwarting any further potential blackmail attempts against him. Naturally the Kommandant takes an extremely aggrieved and disappointed view towards Creston when the Colonel is brought in front of him and for attempting to escape he feels he has let down his men and the possibility of a full court martial is considered. However, on his way to solitary confinement Carrington is granted, on compassionate grounds, to speak with the Kommandant, where he pleads on behalf of Creston and brings to his attention certain letters from home that significantly sway the ranking camp officers dispossion in favour of a more lenient punishment. Certainly “Bribery and Corruption” is a very satisfying slice of ‘Colditz’ which conveys the character motivations and dispersions of the lead and guest characters quite believably. Heller’s eventual treachery against the escapees was, to be honest, pretty much expected but the final pay off in the Kommandant’s office shows his true motivations.

One more I think and then I'll turn my attention to tonights next pairing...

Disc Three - Season 01 : Episode 10 – “Tweeldedum” by John Brason
An injured man is brought before a British Army Doctor whom runs a medical ward within the confines of Colditz but he is merely incidental to a conversation between this medic (played by Geoffrey Palmer) and ‘hospital orderly’ Wing Commander George Marsh. The two men discuss the possibility of escaping the camp under the pretence of mental insanity and Marsh, whom had previously had a part time university job in a mental institution studying the patients, believes he can take on the challenge and eventually he is given the agreement to have a go at it. Now initially I started to liken it to the ‘section eight’ antics of Corporal Max Klinger in the eleven year highly successful cult American comedy series “M*A*S*H” but any thoughts of this were soon dispelled as Brason’s script takes a much more serious, disturbing path. Marsh is extremely remote and suffering continual delusions whilst all around him other prisoners are getting on with their lives with them playing chess, chatting, playing football or taking regular physical activity out in the exercise compound. Eventually Ulmann’s interest leads him to transfer from the paymaster’s officer a Corporal Hartley to watch Marsh, whom has by now gained widescale derision from his fellow prisoners, closely. He was chosen for this task as the Corporal has a brother in a similar mental condition and should provide an excellent objective opinion as to whether the Wing Commander is faking the condition. There is certainly a considerably passage of time during this episode as on his subsequent conversation with Ulmann, Hartley says that after three and a half months watching Marsh he is still not sure whether his mental condition is real. I guess what really clinches it is when the entire prisoner contingent are called on parade in best uniforms as a collection of high ranking German officers visit the camp. Eventually Marsh enters the square and marching up to the newly arrived military personnel wearing a paper hat and carrying a broomstick over his shoulder proudly offers a sheet of blank paper to the most senior officer before wetting himself! I note that there is an appreciable nod to this episodes original transmission date close to Christmas of 1973 with a brief sequence where we watch Marsh, carrying his gramophone player out into the compound with snow falling on the winters evening before sitting in a corner and listening to the same staccato harpsichord classical music that has so infuriated his fellow British officers. Although disturbingly unnerving “Tweedledum” is a significantly successful piece of chilling character drama with Marsh playing the mentally unhinged prisoner part right up to the moment when he leaves the camp under armed escort heading for a hospital. Even then the viewer still does not really know if it was still an act or had he indeed crossed that bridge from rational to insanity.

Well since I last spoke about this classic BBC drama series the DVD suppliers 'raretelevision' have now sadly ceased trading so unless the contractual problems that continue to plague it can be resolved allowing a satellite channel or a DVD retail company can pick it up for transmission or release sale it seems unlikely that we will ever see it surface once more.
Despite this rather downcast future note for those of you with good memories or maybe have also nailed a copy from 'raretelevision' before they folded I'd like to continue pottering through each episode with some more 'first time viewer' thoughts beginning with this...

Disc Three - Season 01 : Episode 11 – “Court Martial” by Marc Brandel
A routine search of prisoners opens eleventh episode “Court Martial” out on the camps exercise yard before they return to the confines of Colditz castle. With Bill Carrington acting as a diversion by kicking up a fuss about the soldiers looking through his personal letters Simon Carter attempts to pass a passport hidden in his sleeve to Brent, someone whom clearly has an artistic skill. As the identity document moves ever closer Brent’s nerve goes and he bottles out from the plan which ultimately results in further solitary confinement for Carter. Whilst there he is visited by the camps new German Doctor, a stickler for military discipline known as Doctor Starb whom takes great exception to Carter’s inability to salute a senior officer. Taking the role of Starb is actor Kenneth Griffith whose previous cult television credentials include an appearance in “Fall Out” the bafflingly cataclysmic final episode of ‘The Prisoner’ where he portrayed the ‘clerk of the court’ attempting to maintain order. Starb brings his concerns about Carter to the Kommandant whom due to his senior medic’s insistence has to reluctantly agree to a court martial. However rather than being tried within the confines of the castle this legal procedure sees Carter and his character witness Bill Carrington travelling by train handcuffed to Leipzig with the two men whiling away the journey taking about the complexities of American baseball! I, like most viewers, are undoubtedly taken rather by surprise when the potential punishment if found guilty of this military insubordination is the death sentence. It’s interesting to note that the role of court defender Bauman is played by Ralph Michael, an actor whom went on to play Colonel Hans Rucket in “Kessler” and close personal friend of Harriet, Lord Winfield in “Dempsey and Makepeace”. Under the pretence of attempting to defend his colleague Carrington uses the opportunity to attempt to execute an escape plan from the confines of the court building. Carrington’s original escape plan was to change places with a limping moustache wearing refuse collector however for simply not saluting Starb, Brent scuppers this plan when the courtyard routine is changed. I believe “Court Martial” is a reasonably satisfactory tale with some worthy plot twists on offer.

Really enjoyed 13th & 14th episodes last night but in the meantime another slim 'episodic thoughts' offering from me partily because a stomach bug rather left me a bit off colour on Sunday...

Disc Three - Season 01 : Episode 12 – “Murder?” by Ian Kennedy Martin
In the dead of night we watch a German soldier gaining access to a room containing Red Cross parcels. He stops to open one box and begins helping himself to the contents before suddenly being struck from behind. The silence of the evening is momentarily disturbed when a gun shot rings out from the store and we observe a hand placing a gun in the to the clutches of the dead soldier. In the cold light of day the Kommandant and his head of security Ulmann examine the crime scene for any clues as to whom had perpetrated the crime but with the Germans unable to discover anything at this juncture it falls to requesting Colonel Creston to instigate a investigation within the prisoner ranks. Having apprised the officers representing the other prisoner nationalities in the camp Creston then details Carter, with the assistance of Downing and Carrington to attempt to identify the murderer. Well that is the basic premise of twelfth episode “Murder?” and to be honest I for one feel this is a particularly uninvolving misfire with little on offer to sufficiently engage my interest. In a situation like this I fall back on my usual pastime of spotting familiar faces within the stories guest cast and in that regard there are three actors worth flagging up. Playing Captain Meegeren is John Salvident whom had two guest starring Blake’s Seven series appearances, firstly as Fleet Warden General Samor officiating at Travis “Trial” and then returning as exiled scientist Egrorian in “Orbit”. Taking on the role of Major Zibnek is Ronald Lacey, another actor whom went on to guest in Blake’s Seven episode “Killer” as the shifty, unreliable former friend of Avon, Tynus. Lastly playing Captain Alan Marshall is John Line, an actor whom guest stared as Alistair McFadden in fifth episode second season ‘Survivors’ story “Face of the Tiger”. Despite this plethora of familiar acting talent on offer for this ‘Colditz’ episode for me is the most disposable of the stories I’ve watched so far.

Disc Four - Season 01 : Episode 13 – “The Way Out” by Bryan Forbes
Initially I felt the premise of “The Way Out” was not entirely dissimilar to that which Ian Mackintosh offered up for “Someone, Somewhere”, a 1976 script for the BBC’s naval drama series ‘Warship’. That tale had youngster Able Seaman Blane receiving a letter offering unsettling rumours about the state of his marriage thereby undermining his focus to forthcoming important CS exams. A potential rocky marriage forms the basis of “The Way Out” with the Kommandant discovering a ‘Dear John letter’ for one of the British prisoners and instead of handing it directly to the man concerned tactfully brings the matter to the attention of Colonel Creston. Feeling that either his or the local padres handling of this matter would be misunderstood Creston instead asks Bill Carrington to take up the task. The person concerned, a gruff Scots Special Command Unit soldier known as Ian McDonald is played by Prentis Hancock, an actor whom is probably best familiar to viewers of the first season of Space 1999. McDonald can’t face the upsetting contents so instead asks Carrington to read it. The main aspect of the letter, at the top of the second page, has his wife Alice relating that now pregnant with another man’s baby she has elected to leave her husband for the father of the forthcoming child. I guess it was because there is a slight friendship between the Scot and American with McDonald taking a passing interest in “The Good Soldier”, a book written by Fort Maddox Ford that Carrington was initially reading that led Creston to suggest he speak to the jilted soldier about his wife’s letter. This story seemed a bit uninvolving early on and once the news had been conveyed I wondered where else the story would go. Then we have McDonald pleading with Escape Officer Pat Grant to ask the French if he could take the place of one of the men whom were next to make an escape attempt. The French Escape Officer obviously turns Pat’s request down flat and it seemed the end of the matter however when Carrington later talks direct with Renoir and De Croissant he manages to persuade one to step aside for McDonald on the proviso that they are included in the next British attempt. As we move into the second half of this tale the ingenious nature of the French plan certainly compensates from its initial unpromising premise. It’s been established from patient study that there are approximately fifty-seven seconds of darkness between dusk and the camps searchlights being switched on, a precious small amount of time. However it is hoped to take advantage of this gap by two men being shunted out of a window, down the side of the castle on rope sheets whilst an accordion player uses his instrument to mask any potential noise that might be made from their nocturnal manoeuvres. I, like a great many viewers, will no doubt find this an extremely satisfying, tense sequence leaving my ‘on the edge of my seat’ wishing the escapees on to succeed. Obviously I wouldn’t dare spoil the outcome of this daring scheme however irrespective of what transposed the Kommandant will not be best pleased and it’s a real joy seeing Bernard Hepton sink his acting teeth into effectively berating Colonel Creston as senior British Officer responsible for the actions of his men in this scheme. Credit is also due to Prenits Hancock whom gives McDonald sufficient gruff emotion to make the character totally believable. However I personally find it difficult to find total sympathy for this guest character whom clearly had the chance to save his marriage as it is mentioned that he’d written many letters whilst at Colditz and rather than post them which might have had some influence on his wife’s decisions instead elected to keep them under his mattress. For me “The Way Out” is definitely a slow burner, a script that starts off fairly tepid but the further you watch the more tense, exciting and rewarding it becomes.

Disc Four - Season 01 : Episode 14 – “Gone Away” (Part One) by John Brason
Dick Player is forcefully attempting to convince Pat Grant and Colonel Creston of the merits of his latest escape plan however the Escape Officer summarily dismisses it out of hand. Dick makes an unsuccessful attempt to convince Creston to overrule Pat’s decision by stating that British moral is currently low considering that the last two to escape was now (at this point in the series) about two years ago. Meanwhile back in the British dormitory Ulmann is throwing his weight about complaining about the messy condition of the room. There seems to be, in his opinion, too many unnecessary personal possessions cluttering up the dormitory, like for example a cricket bat which is not very good in the depths of winter. Finally gaining assurances against possible theft the British agree to box up their stuff in tea chests which will be stored in locked rooms located in the attic above the German quarters which gives Carrington an idea. The interior volume of this container is just large enough to contain a man and with someone hidden inside the potential escapee then would have a clear shot at escaping out of the window of the attic. Naturally Pat Grant is totally against this ill conceived idea leading to an outpouring of emotions and negative opinions about their current Escape Officer whom then promptly goes to Creston and asks to resign from the post. In the meantime Simon Carter ‘tries to tea chest for size’ and although he’s not next on the list he gets the nod to have a go. Although there is the added complication of nails to hold down the lid Carter eases his way out of the container, secures one end of the makeshift rope and the throws the other end out of a nearby attic window. Easing himself down the steep incline it naturally transpires that the distance to be covered is too great. Carter jumps from the end of the rope however naturally gains a broken ankle from his landing which naturally hampers his ability cover ground at any great speed and his eventual capture always looked like a foregone conclusion to this escape attempt. Whilst in subsequent solitary confinement with his right leg in plaster Carter is ingenious in finding means to pass valuable information to his fellow British officers. The best of which is when he increases pressure around the top of the cast, moans in pain and then uses a few drops of water on his forehead to feign a fever. Whilst the German Doctor prepares to inject a sedative Carter grabs at Geoffrey Palmer’s British Doctor character which is sufficient enough to pass a piece of paper. Their solitary confinement brother officer’s information is invaluable as it greatly strengthens Dick Player’s plan which now gains the go ahead from Creston with one proviso. This will now be a four man escape attempt which along with Player will now include Pat Grant (now effectively to be resigned from his position of Escape Officer) together with (Bill) Carrington and (Peter) Muir. There is certainly meticulous detail to their preparations complete with, despite the lack of resources, the rather crude but remarkably effective model of the Colditz compound which illustrates their plan very well. Last episode we had an accordion player being used as a distraction whilst for this story we’ve upped the contingent as, setting up temporary home in Creston’s quarters, is a four piece band replete with drums, accordion and saxophone although where they could possibly get such musical instruments in wartime is quite beyond me! False identities are prepared (that of Flemish concrete workers) and the entire opening escape manoeuvre rests on the unswervingly predictability of German military personnel. Immaculately choreographed around a sentries established seventeen paces/seventeen seconds routine patrol of the courtyard our quartet of escapees move seamlessly through the broken kitchen window aided to some academy award ‘in character’ overacting by Downing. From a dramatically engaging narrative perspective there’s much to admire from this first part of “Gone Away”, a script that illustrates the ingenious escape attempts that are conceived by the prisoners at the infamous German prisoner of war castle.