Long Way Home, The

1 9 6 0 (UK)
7 x 30 minute episodes

Premiering on 24 April 1960, this teatime BBC series concerned a group of four English officers who escape from a German POW camp (Oflag 43) to make their way to Spain during World War II.

Under the command of Herr Grosnitz (a truly sinister performance from future Father, Dear Father star Patrick Cargill), the Gestapo is soon on their trail – because one of the escapees is actually a German agent and the prisoners have been allowed to break out so the Gestapo can follow them to the French resistance and discover the escape network.

The Germans plan that just before the prisoners reach freedom, they will be recaptured, and the organisations that helped them will be destroyed.

Guest artists in the episodes included Arthur Lowe, Jack Smethurst, Brian Cant, Frazer Hines, Roger Delgado, William Mervyn, Ivor Salter, Pauline Letts, and John Woodnutt.

The series was written by Shaun Sutton.

Lieutenant Anson
Barry Letts
Captain Miller
James Sharkey
Captain Gill
Nigel Arkwright
Herr Grosnitz
Patrick Cargill
Herr Bauer
Harvey Hall
Commissioned Gunner Parks, RN
Neil Wilson
Gaston Rondeur
Derek Francis
Philippe Rondeur
Frazer Hines
Marie
Nanette Newman
Rene
Peter Hempson

Episodes

The Tunnel | The First Lap | The French Resistance | Cross Country Run | The Boathouse | The Spanish Frontier | Over the Line