Secret Army

1977
Secret Army

Seasons & Episodes

  • 3
  • 2
  • 1
  • 0

EP1 The Last Run Sep 22, 1979

At Gestapo headquarters, Kessler takes an instant dislike to the newly arrived Luftwaffe Major Hans Dietrich Reinhardt, who has joined him in a final concerted attempt to crush the evasion lines. As the Allies continue to advance from the invasion beaches, Lifeline must continue their efforts in getting airmen back to Britain, but when Natalie attempts to guide two evaders down to Spain, it becomes clear that their work may at last be over.

EP2 Invasions Sep 29, 1979

Lifeline’s original function is now over – the Allied advance has severed the evasion lines and it is now a matter of keeping evaders safely hidden until the war is over. Despite Kessler’s irritation at Reinhardt’s manner and methods, his efforts pay dividends when he discovers a Lifeline safehouse. Two of his new prisoners commit suicide rather than talk, but Reinhardt is determined that the third prisoner will give information under torture. Albert and Monique receive a tip-off that the middle-aged Chantal sisters, who are based in Senlis and often shelter airmen for Lifeline, are in imminent danger.

EP3 Revenge Oct 06, 1979

An assassination attempt has been made on Hitler, and Kessler believes that Reinhardt is involved in the conspiracy. He begins to gather information that he hopes will provide his colleague’s guilt. Meanwhile, Albert becomes aware that the Communists are once more out to get Lifeline, and that he is their target.

EP4 A Safe Place Oct 13, 1979

Albert is imprisoned on trumped-up charges as part of a Communist revenge plot, and Monique is left to take charge of both Lifeline and the Candide. Alain discovers the existence of a false escape line set up by Reinhardt to flush them out and that one of their evaders, “Mad” Mike Miller, had previously been shot down and helped by Lifeline. Monique must make a difficult decision if she is to maintain Lifeline’s safety.

EP5 Ring of Rosies Oct 20, 1979

Still languishing in prison, Albert learns that he was set up by the Communist leader Paul Vercors. Meanwhile, Dr. Keldermans makes a shocking discovery when examining an evader at a safehouse – the man is dying of bubonic plague. Lifeline’s personnel face the horrifying possibility of being wiped out by the deadly disease.

EP6 Prisoner Oct 27, 1979

Major Nick Bradley returns to Brussels to co-ordinate resistance activities whilst waiting for the Allies’ final push, and clashes with Monique over leadership of Lifeline. A tense time is in store for Lifeline when Alain is arrested, and Bradley decides to make a deal with a German officer to try to get him out of Gestapo headquarters. However, the officer demands one million francs in exchange for Alain’s freedom.

EP7 Ambush Nov 03, 1979

Bradley travels to the Ardennes to continue recruiting his own private army of former airmen to engage in sabotage activities – the target is V2 testing sites. Bradley’s first objective, however, is to hijack a convoy of weapons and he asks Monique for assistance in recruiting men and resources. Lifeline, previously an evasion network, is now a fully-fledged guerrilla operation

EP8 Just Light the Blue Touch-Paper Nov 10, 1979

As Bradley’s army remains in hiding along the Dutch border, he and Natalie become closer as they work together planning the raid on the V2 site. To increase his chances of success, Bradley must try to obtain the rocket delivery schedule and plans to get the information by dining with Kessler at the Candide…. Meanwhile, Reinhardt is rapidly closing in on Lifeline, with Natalie as his chief suspect.

EP9 Sound of Thunder Nov 17, 1979

The Allied advance continues as they at last enter Belgium, and the Germans begin to plan a strategic withdrawal from Brussels. Albert is petitioning for his release from prison, while Bradley endeavours to forge links with other resistance groups. The people of Brussels are now left to their own devices, and recriminations are brewing for collaborators and black marketeers. Kessler comes to help Madeleine, while Alain offers Monique and Natalie a place to hide. Meanwhile, Reinhardt at last obtains proof that the Candide is Lifeline’s base of operations, and prepares to strike.

EP10 Collaborator Nov 24, 1979

Albert is finally released from prison and reunited with Monique. The Lifeline personnel continue to be in danger of reprisals from their own people and the Communists for alleged collaboration with the Germans, but Albert refuses to leave the Candide. The Allies are still making their way towards Brussels, and Natalie and Alain join the offensive. As Kessler and his men leave the city, Reinhardt stays behind to complete his investigation into Lifeline and pays one last visit to the Candide, just as Paul Vercors emerges to take ultimate revenge on Albert.

EP11 Days of Judgement Dec 01, 1979

Vercors has taken Albert, Monique and Reinhardt prisoner, and plans to hang Albert as a collaborator and a murderer. Only the Allies, helped by Natalie, can save him but they have only just entered Brussels. Meanwhile, Kessler and Madeleine are trekking on foot towards Germany through the Belgian countryside. To evade capture by the Allies, Kessler decides to take on a new identity.

EP12 Bridgehead Dec 08, 1979

The Allied liberation of Brussels paradoxically brings terror for the former Lifeline workers. About to face savage punishment after being falsely accused of collaboration, Monique is rescued thanks to Natalie and a British officer, Captain Stephen Durnford. She moves in with Natalie, where Durnford visits her and the two become close. Natalie tries to persuade Albert to declare his feelings for Monique, but he remains convinced that she will come back to him and the Candide. Meanwhile, Hans Van Broecken has to deal with two German deserters who have stowed away aboard his barge.

EP13 The Execution Dec 15, 1979

Kessler, still posing under an alias, and Reinhardt find themselves interned in the same prison camp for German officers. Kessler learns that Reinhardt surrendered himself to Albert at the Candide and is determined to dispose of him with a trumped-up court martial. Madeleine is forced to make a decision that will change her life forever. In Brussels, Albert and the others learn they are to be decorated for their selfless contribution to the war effort and Albert is given full ownership of the Candide as a reward for his bravery. However, it is a bittersweet victory for Albert as he has lost Monique, who is about to marry Captain Durnford and leave for a new life in England. The Second World War is over.

EP14 What Did You Do in the War, Daddy? Dec 22, 1979

1969. Albert, Monique, Natalie and Alain are invited to take part in a British TV documentary “In Our Time” commemorating the 25th anniversary of the Allied liberation of Brussels. Also participating is Kessler, now known as Manfred Dorf. The former Lifeline personnel reunite at the Candide, and discuss their lives during the war. NB: The episode was never broadcast due to quality issues and the feeling that the content ran contrary to the main dramatic themes of the overall series.
8.5| 0h30m| en| More Info
Released: 07 September 1977 Ended
Producted By: BBC
Country: United Kingdom
Budget: 0
Revenue: 0
Official Website: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p00tklpx
Synopsis

World War II drama about covert organisation Lifeline helping allied airmen escape after being shot down in occupied Europe, working with the Resistance and hiding from the Gestapo.

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Reviews

rchartman Excellent series, however, can only get season 1 in the U.S. or region 2 for DVD. How can I get all three series for DVD in Region 1? All episodes are compelling with a twist at the end. It's difficult not to want to watch the entire season in one sitting. Unfortunately, only season 1 is offered in the U.S. All three seasons are only offered in region 2 format, so unfortunately I can only get season 1. Would like to get all three seasons if there is a distributor that sells in region 1 format. It's great to watch a series that is built on plot, storyline and acting, rather than all just high tech virtual reality visuals. I'm sure once you start to watch you'll be hooked. Get this series and you won't be disappointed. Again, my only criticism is all three seasons are not available in region 1. Not sure why they would do this as I'm sure they would reach a larger number of consumers who are hungry for good T.V.
ShadeGrenade Let's get one thing straight - because 'Secret Army' was spoofed by a long-running sitcom ( 'Allo, Allo' ) does not mean that it was a bad series. Far from it. It would be like saying 'Brideshead Revisited' was awful simply because it was ( partially ) spoofed by I.T.V.'s 'Brass'.Produced by Gerald Glaister ( responsible for the superlative 'Colditz' ) 'Secret Army' was a top-notch drama set in wartime Belgium, concerning the exploits of the resistance organisation 'Lifeline', whose task is to find crashed Allied airmen and then send them home to carry on the good fight. The leader of the group was, in the first series, at least, 'Lisa Colbert' ( Jan Francis ), codenamed 'Yvette'. 'Lifeline's' headquarters was the Cafe Candide, run by Albert Foiret ( Bernard Hepton ). Each episode pitted Lifeline pitted against Gestapo chief Kessler, marvellously played by Clifford Rose. Being a co-production with Belgium television, 'Secret Army' was able to achieve some remarkably authentic looking wartime location footage. Amongst the female cast members Angela Richards was simply outstanding as 'Monique', and its astonishing she did not go on to enjoy the success she so richly deserved.Season 1 was at best a moderate success, but Glaister ( wisely ) decided to make changes for the second. The café was sold off in favour of a more high-class establishment where German officers' careless talk could be overheard. Max Brocard ( Stephen Yardley ), forger, pianist and Communist infiltrator, joined the team, and made a nice contrast with the more cynical Albert, who by his own admission is more interested in money than patriotic duty. Over time, Kessler seemed to grow more and more human, particularly when he fell in love with Madelaine Duclos. In a rather shocking move, Lisa was killed off when she hid in a building during an air raid,Of the three seasons, the last was by far the best; as the war comes to and end, the Lifeline team find themselves at risk of being killed by the very people they have striven to help. It introduced the brilliant Terrence Hardiman as 'Reinhardt', a truly mesmerising performance. When, in the final episode, Reinhardt is put on trial and executed by fellow Nazis, it is impossible not to feel sympathy. Thirty-two years since it ended, with its complex plotting and pitch-perfect performances, 'Secret Army' still manages to take the breath away.
s_duncan02 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
chris.orton After seeing Secret Army recently for the first time on UK Drama, I was blown away by it's brilliance. I had read lots about it, but never realised that the show was as impressive as it is.The characters are all very well drawn and the series views World War II from many angles. We don't only get to see the heroic and valiant efforts of the allies and resistance - the Germans, the Belgian police and ordinary citizens of the Low Countries are all represented, and more than anything else the series shows that the war affected different people in vastly differing ways. Nothing is black and white. Albert, our hero in the series, is a flawed hero: he can be greedy, dominating and possessive (Albert is a far cry from Hepton's role as a Nazi Commandant in Colditz, some years earlier). Major Brandt of the Luftwaffe is a German but not like Kessler, a Nazi. Brandt is simply a member of the armed forces who is only doing his job. Secret Army can be commended for not presenting the heroes and "villains" as mere stereotypes. Special mention must also go to Clifford Rose who play the head of the Gestapo in Belgium, Ludwig Kessler - the inspiration for Herr Flick in the spoof series Allo Allo. Rose is magnificent as Kessler and the character is written as a man who is completely and utterly devoted to the Fatherland and the Fuhrer.Secret Army, along with other greats like Colditz and I, Claudius is an example of the great drama serials that the BBC no longer produce. These days we seem to be stuck in a never-ending cycle of police and hospital drama serials. Secret Army was transmitted at prime-time on BBC1 when it was first shown: how many period dramas do we ever see on our screens these days? At very best we get a Jane Austin type adaptation, and that would only ever be broadcast on a Sunday night.Why don't the BBC take the chance to make something as daring as Secret Army? I'm sure that a viewing public tired of the same old shows would thank them for it.I hope that UK Drama will show the spin-off series Kessler now!