Colditz - writing to die for

Now being shown everyday on Yesterday.

Setting three series in a claustrophobic prison planning escapes doesn't sound very promising and more suited for 90 minute film but this series so far has been totally gripping.

The writing is top drawer especially John Brason who went on to the similarly classic Secret Army. The cast are terrific as well (including David McCallum who I've never been struck on before).

Even the German characters are largely free of heel clicking Herr Flick clichés and their political in-fighting to keep the Gestapo at bay is just as engrossing as the allied POW storylines.

Little British made TV seems to match this high standard of writing at the moment and have watch Mad Men for something comparable.

Some classy names involved including Ian Kennedy Martin and NJ Crisp, but what demonstrates the depth of talent available is that each episode seems constructed as a self-contained drama by a different writer.

It suffers the curse of 70's BBC drama in being heavily set bound and therefore a bit talkie (and the prison unconvincingly cardboard).

Good performances, particularly from Edward Hardwicke, Jack Hedley and Hans Meyer, while Robert Wagner brings some star quality. I must say though that I am not sold on McCallum's performance (and I have enjoyed him in other things, e.g. Saphire and Steel, Kidnapped).

I am thoroughly enjoying it though.

What time? What Channel Number?

I loved this as a kid and have caught a few of the recent repeats. The board game was pretty good too.

Quote: Marc P @ November 8 2010, 2:31 PM GMT

What time? What Channel Number?

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It's on Yesterday, most days, several times a day at the moment (it seems like that).

http://uktv.co.uk/yesterday/homepage/sid/5008

It's on yesterday
When's it on again
tomorrow
what channel
yesterday
no tomorrow
Yes tomorrow yesterday
ugh

Have they shown the one yet where one bloke pretends to be cracking up to get re-patriated?

That really is frightening.

Think that one was in the final series, played by Arthur Lovegrove if I recall correctly. It disturbed me deeply as a child. I am not looking forward to seeing it again.

Its on tonight.

When I first saw this thread I thought it said "Coldplay - writing to die for."

Quote: Chappers @ November 8 2010, 10:39 PM GMT

Have they shown the one yet where one bloke pretends to be cracking up to get re-patriated?

That really is frightening.

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'Tweedledum' which is on today I think. There's a sloppy non BBC DVD release available showing episodes cut ups for ad breaks and for this episode apparently they cropped the twist at the end, which defined the whole story.

Quote: youngian @ November 9 2010, 10:23 AM GMT

'Tweedledum' which is on today I think. There's a sloppy non BBC DVD release available showing episodes cut ups for ad breaks and for this episode apparently they cropped the twist at the end, which defined the whole story.

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How ridiculous.

Quote: chipolata @ November 8 2010, 11:03 PM GMT

When I first saw this thread I thought it said "Coldplay - writing to die for."

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Prisoners caught escaping from Coldplay Prison did a month in solitary and were subjected to Chris Martin's dreary MOR pop songs on a loop.

The Commandant responsible for this hideous punishment was later hanged at Nuremburg.

Colditz Castle (which has zero resonance in Germany) recently had a youth hostel open and there was a very funny holiday review in one of the papers about how drafty and horrible it was.

The reviewer decided to meet the Dutch and Polish guests down the pub to form an escape committee (yes I know, it's not big or clever and we're all friends now).

Funny how something can make such a deep impression on you, yet your memory of it can be false. Tweedledum starred Michael Bryant not Arthur Lovegrove, and came much earlier in the run than I remembered. It was tough viewing, but I feel as though I have exorcised a childhood trauma!

So are people recommending watching this disturbing episode?

Quote: Nogget @ November 9 2010, 7:02 PM GMT

So are people recommending watching this disturbing episode?

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Oh definitely - but don't be fooled because we're discussing this on a comedy forum.