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...

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

Carrington VC ITV Play

A popular officer is accused of taking money from his Battery safe. His defence rests of his wife's evidence - but will she consent to appear at the court-martial?

Also tagged 1960S Drama

My Favourite Martian

En route to his office, LA journalist Tim O'Hara witnesses the crash landing of a space ship. On further investigation he discovers that the UFO's pilot has survived the crash and is in fact an anthropologist from the planet Mars.

Also released in 1963

Petticoat Junction

The small farming community of Hooterville provided the setting for widower Kate Bradley and her three beautiful daughters, who ran a small hotel called The Shady Rest.

Also released in 1963

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

and Humanity

In 1958, Edith Cavell’s courageous story was brought to television for the first time, driven by actress Flora Robson’s passion to portray the heroic nurse whose wartime sacrifice had long inspired audiences and artists alike

Also starring Ivor Dean

Burkes Law

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

Also released in 1963

No, That's Me Over Here

First starring vehicle for Ronnie Corbett who plays a little man (of course) with big ambitions.

Also starring Henry Mcgee