"The Monocled Mutineer" (1986)TV series

Director:

Jim O'Brien

Writers:

William Allison (book) (1986)
Alan Bleasdale (writer)

Seasons:

1

Release Date:

31 August 1986 (UK)

Genre:

History

Plot Keywords:

Historical | Mutiny | WWI | Based On True Story

Awards:

1 win & 8 nominations

Cast

Paul McGann	...	Percy Toplis (2 episodes, 1986)
Jane Wood	...	Annie Webster (2 episodes, 1986)
Dave Hill	...	Frank Webster (2 episodes, 1986)
Aran Bell	...	Fellows (2 episodes, 1986)
Terry Cundall	...	Bertram (2 episodes, 1986)
Peter Hutchinson	...	Norman (2 episodes, 1986)
Ted Richards	...	PC Fulton (2 episodes, 1986)
Richard Ireson	...	Inspector Ritchie (2 episodes, 1986)
David Miller	...	Spruce (2 episodes, 1986)

Runtime:

UK:75 min (4 episodes)

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Filming Locations:

Aberdovey, Gwynedd, Wales, UK

Company:

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)

Fact or Fiction?

Although some of the comments made on this BBC series are founded in fact, there are several which are completely false; Toplis did exist he was part of the "Mutiny" at "The Bull Ring" which was a brutal training ground for British soldiers during WWI in which troops were exposed to the effects of mustard gas at the hands of there own superior officers and, also in which counts of summary execution for Desertion number in the THOUSANDS!! The reason this adaptation of his story was received with such an extreme reaction from the British High Command was that it highlighted a situation which ultimately could have cost the Allies the war and which was totally caused by the Brutal nature shown by officers and military police to there own Conscripted soldiers. It is indeed true that the British Army files must be made available to the public in 2017, my only concern is that after 100 years of lies and deceit, how much of the truth remains unaltered and unabridged? This story, for me, highlights the view that any and all military powers have towards there own troops, one of complete contempt.