Secret Army

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  • 1977
  • 1 Season
  • 8.6  (1,659)

Secret Army was a British television series that aired on BBC One from 1977 to 1979. Set in Nazi-occupied Belgium during World War II, the show followed the exploits of the Lifeline network, a group of brave men and women who risked their lives to help Allied soldiers and downed pilots escape to safety.

Clifford Rose starred as Sturmbannfuehrer Ludwig Kessler, a high-ranking officer in the Gestapo who was tasked with hunting down members of the Resistance. Kessler was a complex character who often struggled with his conscience and the brutal nature of his job. Despite his loyalty to the Nazi cause, he was not without sympathy for the people he was hunting and he developed a certain respect for some of his adversaries.

Angela Richards played Monique Duchamps, a brave young woman who worked as a waitress at the Cafe Candide, a popular haunt for Resistance members. Monique was passionate about the cause and risked her life daily to aid the Lifeline network. She frequently clashed with Kessler, who was suspicious of her activities and suspected that she was working with the Resistance.

Bernard Hepton played Albert Foiret, the owner of the Cafe Candide and the mastermind behind the Lifeline network. Foiret was a charismatic leader who inspired his followers with his courage and determination. He ran a tight ship and was always one step ahead of the Gestapo, but he was not invincible and often put himself in danger to protect his friends and fellow Resistance members.

Juliet Hammond-Hill played Natalie Chantrens, a young woman who worked as a nurse and assisted the Lifeline network by hiding Allied soldiers and providing medical care to wounded Resistance fighters. Natalie was an idealistic woman who was inspired by the bravery of her fellow Resistance members. She was not afraid to take risks and was willing to do whatever it took to help the cause.

Secret Army was praised for its realistic portrayal of life under Nazi occupation and its sympathetic treatment of the characters on both sides of the conflict. The show tackled difficult topics such as collaboration, betrayal, and the morality of war, and it was not afraid to show the harsh realities of life during wartime.

The show was a critical and commercial success and continues to be remembered as one of the most compelling dramas of its time. Its legacy has been felt in subsequent shows that have tackled similar subject matter, and it remains a beloved classic among fans of wartime dramas.

Overall, Secret Army was a gripping and thought-provoking show that explored the complexities of war and the human spirit. It remains a testament to the bravery and selflessness of the men and women who fought for what they believed in, even in the darkest of times.

Secret Army is a series that ran for 1 seasons (16 episodes) between September 7, 1977 and on BBC One

Secret Army
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Seasons
Be the First Kid in Your Block to Rule the World
16. Be the First Kid in Your Block to Rule the World
December 29, 1977
Curtis's (Christopher Neame) cover is blown and Kessler (Clifford Rose) orders a security ring around Brussels and a massive search to trap Curtis. Curtis poses as a bus driver for a Hitler Youth day trip in a desperate attempt to flee the city.
Suspicions
15. Suspicions
December 21, 1977
Curtis (Christopher Neame) is under suspicion for submersive activity and possible murder. Kessler (Clifford Rose) and Brandt (Michael Culver) trace him to the Café Candide, then take him for questioning.
Good Friday
14. Good Friday
December 14, 1977
Prior Father Pierre (Brewster Mason) shelters an RAF escapee in his monastery, but Brother Anselm (Richard Gale) thinks Friars should stay out of the war and his betrayal brings in Kessler (Clifford Rose) and the Gestapo.
Bait
13. Bait
December 7, 1977
A downed British airman approaches Madame Bidout (Barbara Cochran), an elderly Englishwoman and asks her for help. She hides him, but is so frightened that she calls Major Brandt (Michael Culver), a childhood friend of her late son. The airman turns out to be another German plant working for Kessler (Clifford Rose), hoping Bidout will lead them to the resistance.
Hymn to Freedom
12. Hymn to Freedom
November 30, 1977
Recognizing the value of a propaganda coup if successful, Curtis (Christopher Neame) persuades Yvette (Jan Francis) to help smuggle a Belgian minister in the puppet regime to England. Meanwhile, Lifeline has been penetrated by another German agent.
A Question of Loyalty
11. A Question of Loyalty
November 23, 1977
The Gestapo infiltrate the Lifeline organization with German officer Ernst Stoller (Clive Arrindell) posing as an escaped airman and Monique (Angela Richards) falls for the infiltrator.
Identity in Doubt
10. Identity in Doubt
November 9, 1977
A downed South African airman, Noel Uys (Christopher Douglas), cannot convince Lifeline of his identity and seizes Natalie (Juliet Hammand-Hill) as a hostage.
Too Near Home
9. Too Near Home
November 2, 1977
Yvette (Jan Francis) is imprisoned in a raid and her Uncle Gaston (James Bree) is taken and questioned by Kessler (Clifford Rose). Lifeline is faced with collapse.
Guilt
8. Guilt
October 26, 1977
Curtis (Christopher Neame) wants to investigate who betrayed Peter Romsey (Christopher Guard) in France, but Lifeline does not trust him and puts Monique (Angela Richards) on his tail.
Lost Sheep
7. Lost Sheep
October 19, 1977
A new aircraft is shot down. The navigator, Flight Lieutenant Peter Romsey (Christopher Guard) survives, but cannot be sure of his safety. Separated from his Lifeline companions in France, he takes refuge with English author Hugh Neville (Peter Barkworth) and his wife Dorothy (Joanna Van Gyseghem).
Growing Up
6. Growing Up
October 12, 1977
A young boy finds a wounded airman hiding in a barn. Rashly, the airman gives the boy a gift and puts Lifeline at risk.
Second Chance
5. Second Chance
October 5, 1977
A downed airman is found by a bargeman, but the bargeman's offer of help is not what it seems.
Child's Play
4. Child's Play
September 28, 1977
Brandt (Michael Culver) receives an article by an escaped American airman. Thinking it contains useful intelligence, he uses it to team up with a French gendarme and identify an escape route over the Pyrenees - and almost captures Lisa (Jan Francis).
Radishes with Butter
3. Radishes with Butter
September 21, 1977
Curtis (Christopher Neame) brings money from England for the escape plans, befriends a Jewish family living in hiding and gets involved with Yvette (Jan Francis).
Sergeant on the Run
2. Sergeant on the Run
September 7, 1977
Some escapees are caught and shot by Kessler. One survives, but he would rather die than talk.
Lisa - Code Name Yvette
1. Lisa - Code Name Yvette
September 7, 1977
A secret group of Belgian resistance members, aka Lifeline, helps allied airmen escape after being shot down in Nazi occupied Europe.
Description
Where to Watch Secret Army
Secret Army is available for streaming on the BBC One website, both individual episodes and full seasons. You can also watch Secret Army on demand at Amazon.
  • Premiere Date
    September 7, 1977
  • IMDB Rating
    8.6  (1,659)
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