COLDITZ: SERIES 1
“Where the hell is Colditz?!” Pat Grant, Episode 1.
For a series set in Colditz Castle you might imagine that there is limited scope for the stories that you can tell about prisoners trying to escape. You might, but you’d be wrong. The first series of Colditz (1972-73) is a triumph of writing, casting, direction, design and everything else you can think of, and has taken it's place proudly in my top 10 drama series.
The opening trio of episodes each follow a single character in their journey up to being sent to Colditz. Edward Hardwicke, David McCallum and Christopher Neame carry this solo stories off with aplomb, and are throughout excellent centrepieces of what becomes a fantastic ensemble piece, including the excellent Robert Wagner as an American, Phil Carrington, who was captured while serving in the British RAF. Guest spots throughout give great little characters, including a Padre (played by Patrick Troughton) who gets involved in a Polish plan to hang one of their officers for betrayal.
The deep level of characterisation is not limited to the British characters - the two main German characters are given equal depth and humanity. Yes, Hans Meyers’ Ullmann is there to be a hard-bitten German who stamps down hard on any misbehaviour, but he is never cruel; while Bernard Heptons’ Kommandant has great depth - a Wehrmacht Officer, although a loyal German he has no love at all for the Gestapo, the occasional appearance of whom ups the stakes for both him and the prisoners. In spite of the camp he is running humanity is at his core, most notably when passing on bad news to prisoners.
The Polish and the French also get good treatment when required - first when escape attempts are continually foiled and a Polish soldier, played by Ronald Lacey, is outed as the mole; second when a French escape attempt evolves to involve a British officer (Prentis Hancock). Given the nature of the series, this particular episode sees one of the most brutal scenes, in which Hancock is gunned down while trying to escape through barbed wire - which also gives rise to a painful scene where the Kommandant berates Colonel Preston (Jack Hedley) for the attempt. Preston simply remains silent.
Perhaps a special word should go to the compelling but brutal Episode 10, the award winning ‘Tweedledum’ in which Commander Marsh (Michael Bryant) wishes to escape by faking a mental breakdown, which would allow him to repatriated. Thus for most of the episode Bryant does not speak, and appears to slowly descend into madness under the watchful eye of a German Officer told to observe him to see if the condition is real. It is tough watching, as Marsh does appear to be keeping up the act of mental breakdown for months on end without being caught out, as occasional winks to the British Doctor (Geoffrey Palmer) would seem to attest. Finally, after many many months the plan is a success and he is sent back to England. However, the delight of the success is soon tempered by a letter from Marsh’s wife. This scene would drive even the hardest of men to tears, as we discover that after all that he ended up committed to a mental home. A compelling story, carried entirely by the acting of Michael Bryant.
The first series concludes with a mesmerising two parter, in which four of the regulars attempt to escape in what they feel is their best chance yet. The first part follows the setting up of the escape plan and ends on a expertly directed cliffhanger as the German Officer breaks his routine and turns after 10 steps instead of 17. The final episode, which sees them outside of the castle and attempting to reach the Swiss border, principally follows Grant (Hardwicke) and Carrington (Wagner) sees the tension ratcheted up to a high level where it stays throughout, and when Hardwicke collapses into the snow at the feet of an armed officer at the end, you feel like collapsing with him.
With such a fascinating subject matter portrayed very thoughtfully by great writing, and brought to life by classy actors, there is only one word to describe this most wonderful, thought provoking of series:
Majestic.
