"Secret Army" (1977) TV series 1977-1979

User Rating:

9.1/10   

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 3

Release Date:

7 September 1977 (UK)

Genre:

Drama | War

Plot:

In this series, inspired by real events during World War II, the kind, intelligent and worrisome Albert Foiret runs both a café...

Plot Keywords:

Escape | WWII

Awards:

2 wins & 1 nomination

Cast

Bernard Hepton	...	Albert Foiret (43 episodes, 1977-1979)
Angela Richards	...	Monique Duchamps (41 episodes, 1977-1979)
Clifford Rose	...	Sturmbannführer Ludwig Kessler / ... (38 episodes, 1977-1979)
Juliet Hammond	...	Natalie Chantrens (37 episodes, 1977-1979)
Ron Pember	...	Alain Muny (28 episodes, 1977-1979)
Valentine Dyall	...	Dr. Pascal Keldermans (23 episodes, 1977-1979)
Michael Culver	...	Major Erwin Brandt (22 episodes, 1977-1978)

Runtime:

50 min (42 episodes)

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Colour:

Colour

Certification:

Australia:M

Filming Locations:

Brussels, Brussels-Capital, Belgium

Company:

Belgische Radio en Televisie (BRT)

Trivia:

The character of Kessler is loosely based on Nazi war criminal Klaus Barbie.

Movie Connections:

Featured in The Return of 'Allo 'Allo! (2007) (TV)

A drama that greatly rewards the viewer

I first saw this programme as a child watching with my parents when it was broadcast in the late 1970s. I found it compelling then, though I did not understand some of the nuances. But having watched it again recently on UKTV Gold I have to say that it is one of the very best dramas of its era, and indeed of the subsequent period.

It never took a simplistic view of the people involved, and developed the characters over time. None of the moral situations the characters find themselves in are presented in black and white terms. The very final episodes, when liberation is close and retribution is being sought against people considered to be "collaborators", are so dramatic, and I will not forgot the tone of the final episode set on the day the war in Europe ended.

Marvellous.

Sarah