Homepage Television Heaven Logo
The Barricade

The Barricade

1963 - United Kingdom

Flanders, 1918, and young Capt. Dunton deliberately orders his best friend to certain death. What has gone wrong between the two men? And will the Captain's plan succeed? 

It is March, 1918. World War One has been dragging on for four years, stalemate following stalemate. The playwrights have realised that patriotism and flag waving are not enough, and in The Barricade Harry Wall shows the personal tragedy war brings in its wake. This story - the second in the For King and Country series about the first world war - also contrasts the carefree, almost feverish life in London with the grim business at the front. It tells an ordinary eternal-triangle tale, but one made stark and more poignant by its surroundings. Lieut. Dick Campbell (David Buck) and Captain Roddy Dunton (Bernard Brown) are close friends, both in love with Violet Derring (Pauline Devaney), who is thoughtless, selfish and flirtatious. At the front Dick hero-worships Roddy, who is engaged to Violet. When Dick goes home on leave, Violet's affections turn towards him. Dick, who has always secretly loved her, cannot withstand her blandishments. On returning to the front he tells Roddy what happened. The shock of this revelation to Roddy's war-torn mind makes him act desperately. "Everyone thinks," David Buck said, "that "Journey's End" is the only worthwhile play produced by the First World War. I think this series is disproving that." 

Among the cast for this presentation were Ivor Dean (The Saint) and Henry McGee (The Worker and The Benny Hill Show). The play was adapted for television by Tim Aspinall was directed by Julian Amyes and produced by Gerald Savory. It was a Granada TV Network Production. Shown on ITV at 9:15pm on Tuesday 13th August 1963. Other plays in the "For King and Country short series: Part One-Out There Part Three-Tunnel Trench Part Four-The Enemy. 

Published on March 16th, 2019. Written by Based on original TV Times article and adapted for Television Heaven.

Read Next...

Marriage Lines

Marital ups and downs of a newly-wed couple starring Richard Briers and Prunella Scales

Also released in 1963

The Worker

British sitcom about an unemployable labourer - starring Charlie Drake.

Also starring Henry Mcgee

Family Solicitor

Naylor and Freeman is the name of a firm of solicitors. There are five partners and each handles a variety of cases.

Also tagged 1960S Drama

The Diary of Samuel Pepys BBC TV series

In 1958 the BBC embarked on its most ambitious television series yet. The Diary of Samuel Pepys was a 14-part historical costume drama that had over 120 cast members with 162 speaking parts.

Also starring Henry Mcgee

The Baron

An antiques dealer works in an informal capacity as an agent for British Diplomatic Intelligence.

Also tagged 1960S Drama

The Saint enthralled audiences in the UK and the USA as well as in Europe and Australia in the 1960s. Its style, appealing lead, and fast-paced plots helped it transcend national borders to become a staple of international television, and still retains its charm today

Also starring Ivor Dean

The Enemy

A young Englishman makes many friends in Vienna, but all of them turn against him with the outbreak of the first world war. After the Armistice, he returns to find nothing but bitterness and despair.

Also tagged 1960S Drama

Burkes Law

Millionaire police officer heads LAPD's murder squad to solve high profile cases.

Also released in 1963

Ghost Squad

An elite division of Scotland Yard, the Ghost Squad was set up to investigate and infiltrate spy rings, underworld gangs or anything else that came outside the duties of regular policing.

Also tagged 1960S Drama