Watch Enemy at the Door

Enemy at the Door is a British television drama set in the Channel Islands during the Nazi occupation in World War II. The show depicts the difficulties faced by the islanders as they struggle to maintain their way of life under the tyrannical regime of the German forces. The show first aired in the late 1970s and continued through to the early 1980s.

Starring Richard Heffer as Major Richter, and Simon Cadell as Dr. Philip Martel, the show explores the relationship between the occupiers and the natives of the island. Major Richter is the enforcer of Nazi law on the island, whilst Dr. Martel is a doctor who is desperately trying to maintain his objectivity and compassion while living under the oppression of the Germans. The show also features strong performances from Bernard Horsfall as Colonel Scharf, Alfred Burke as Colonel Leutnant Muller, and Anthony Stewart Head as Oberleutnant Klaus Reinicke, among others.

The show revolves around the intense and deep-seated conflict between the German forces and the Islanders, who are fiercely loyal to Britain. Major Richter, who is driven by his sense of duty to the Nazi regime, is often at odds with Dr. Martel, who believes in taking a more passive approach to the occupation. As the series progresses, we see the conflict between these two men become more and more intense, culminating in a dramatic confrontation that sees both men forced to confront their own principles and values.

One of the standout features of the show is its portrayal of life on the island during the occupation. We see the Islanders struggling to maintain their way of life, with food and supplies being rationed and homes being requisitioned by the Germans. The show also explores the moral dilemmas faced by many of the Islanders, who are torn between loyalty to their country and a desire to protect their families and loved ones.

Another strength of the show is its depiction of the German forces. While many shows and films tend to portray the Germans as caricatures, the creators of Enemy at the Door made a conscious effort to depict the Germans as nuanced individuals, capable of both good and evil. We see the German characters facing their own moral dilemmas, and struggling to reconcile their duty to the Nazi regime with their own personal beliefs.

The show also explores the role of collaboration and resistance on the island. We see the different ways in which the Islanders respond to the occupation, with some choosing to collaborate with the Germans in order to protect their families and businesses, while others choose to resist the occupation at great personal risk. This aspect of the show provides a fascinating insight into the complex relationships between collaborators and resisters, as well as the political and social factors that influenced these decisions.

Overall, Enemy at the Door is a gripping drama that explores the complexities of life on the Channel Islands during the Nazi occupation. With strong performances from a talented cast, nuanced characterisation, and an insightful portrayal of life under occupation, the show remains a compelling and thought-provoking piece of television more than four decades after its original airing.

Enemy at the Door is a series that ran for 2 seasons (26 episodes) between January 21, 1978 and on Acorn Media