Manhunt (1969 TV series)
| Manhunt | |
|---|---|
| Genre | Drama |
| Created by | Rex Firkin |
| Starring | Alfred Lynch Peter Barkworth Cyd Hayman |
| Theme music composer | Ludwig van Beethoven |
| Opening theme | Symphony No. 5 (Beethoven) |
| Ending theme | Symphony No. 5 (Beethoven) |
| Country of origin | United Kingdom |
| Language(s) | English |
| No. of series | 2 |
| No. of episodes | 26 |
| Production | |
| Executive producer(s) | Rex Firkin |
| Producer(s) | Andrew Brown |
| Running time | 26 x 50 minute episodes |
| Production company(s) | London Weekend Television |
| Broadcast | |
| Original channel | ITV |
| Audio format | Mono |
| Original run | 2 January 1970 – 26 June 1970 |
Manhunt was a World War II drama series consisting of 26 episodes, produced by London Weekend Television in 1969 and broadcast nationwide[1].
Contents |
[edit] Synopsis
British pilot Jimmy Porter (Alfred Lynch) crashes his aeroplane in occupied France and immediately finds himself on the run from the Nazis. He meets a young girl, Nina (Cyd Hayman), a part-Jewish agent with important information, and vows to get her back to Britain. He is helped by another agent, code-named Vincent, (Peter Barkworth) and pursued across France by S.S. Officer Lutzig (Philip Madoc), and the ambivalent Abwehr Sgt. Gratz (Robert Hardy), a complex psychological character who is implied to fall in love with Nina. Unlike most previous war dramas, the Nazis were presented as more than just fanatical thugs. While Lutzig was close to the stereotype, although given great depth by Philip Madoc, Gratz could not have been more different. Unlike many similar dramas, Manhunt also portrayed in detail the rivalry between the SS and the Abwehr.
[edit] Cast
| Character | Actor |
|---|---|
| Jimmy Porter | Alfred Lynch |
| Vincent | Peter Barkworth |
| Nina | Cyd Hayman |
| Adelaide | Maggie Fitzgibbon |
| Abwehr Sgt Gratz | Robert Hardy |
| Lutzig | Philip Madoc |
In addition, Manhunt features many notable guest appearances, such as by Paul Darrow, John Savident, Julian Glover, Nerys Hughes, Tony Beckley, and Richard Hurndall.
[edit] Notes
- The name Jimmy Porter is a clear reference to the main character in the play Look Back in Anger. Coincidentally Alfred Lynch acted in the film version of the play.
- The Allied agents identify themselves to each other throughout the story with the challenge "What is war ?" to which the answer is "War is love". This may be an intentional reference to Nineteen Eighty-Four, by George Orwell (Party slogan "War is Peace" and war prosecuted by a "Ministry of Love") as well as an ironic comment on the dramatic subplots. If the Orwell reference is real, there is a slight anachronism, as the book was written in 1948, after the war was over.
- The musical theme was taken from Beethoven's Fifth Symphony, which features the famous rhythm used to introduce radio broadcasts to Nazi occupied territories, and also signifies the letter "V", for Victory, in Morse Code.
- With the exception of the episode "One More River" which was shot on film, the programme was shot on colour videotape.
- The episode "Intent To Steal" is most uncharacteristic of the series and features very little dialogue.
[edit] References
- ^ Brockman, David (2002-11-01). "Watching London". Transdiffusion Broadcasting System. http://www.transdiffusion.org/emc/insidetv/history/london.php. Retrieved 2007-10-09. "Early programmes from LWT included a 26-part drama series set among the French resistance in World War II called “Manhunt”"
- Evans, Jeff (2001). The Penguin TV Companion. Harmondsworth, England: Penguin Books. ISBN 0 140 51467 8.
[edit] External links
- Manhunt at the Internet Movie Database
