Drake's sent to Africa to protect the prime minister, who's in the midst of an election campaign. It's suspected the opposition leader is planning to overthrow the government, but Drake find... Read allDrake's sent to Africa to protect the prime minister, who's in the midst of an election campaign. It's suspected the opposition leader is planning to overthrow the government, but Drake finds out it's much more complicated.Drake's sent to Africa to protect the prime minister, who's in the midst of an election campaign. It's suspected the opposition leader is planning to overthrow the government, but Drake finds out it's much more complicated.
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Storyline
Did you know
- GoofsMrs. Manningham possesses a copy of "Scent of White Poppies" by Agatha Christie. The author wrote no such work (although John Christopher did, in 1959).
- Quotes
John Drake: What are you doing here?
Suzanne: I thought you might like to take me to a movie.
John Drake: I'm sorry. I'm busy.
Suzanne: I think I may be able to help you.
John Drake: I doubt it.
Suzanne: [Noting Drake's injuries] You don't seem to be making a very good job of helping yourself.
John Drake: I slipped.
Suzanne: And the next time you might fall. Major, what are you doing here?
John Drake: I'm here to find a training ground, and when I've found it, I shall return to London.
Suzanne: Oh, we know you'll return to London. The question is whether you'll be sitting in a seat or lying in a coffin.
John Drake: Madame LaSalle...
Suzanne: Oh, "Suzanne".
John Drake: Madame LaSalle, I think we'd both be happier if you went away.
Flying in on the eve of the election, Drake finds that a number of sources are aware of his cover as Major Sullivan, brought in to help ensure order following an assassination attempt against current Prime Minister Kamunga (William Marshall), with suspicion falling on his rival, Dr. Manudu (Edric Connor). Indeed, as Drake explores the political landscape, he finds himself confronting the martial Colonel Nyboto (Errol John) and unctuous Belgian business mogul Lasalle (Arnold Diamond), who appear to be spearheading a coup to put Manudu into power. But just as Drake is set to return to Britain, he discovers that all is not what it seems to be.
Stone's thin story, which doesn't flesh out Kamunga's rationale for summoning Drake in the first place, is instead padded to fill the running time while he populates the background with near-caricatures including Mrs. Manningham (Nora Nicholson), the tippling British widow with the imperial attitude nostalgic for the colonial days, and Suzanne, Lasalle's itchy wife who takes a fancy to Drake, with sultry Jill Melford making the most of a decorative part while providing Stone's final plot contrivance. Marshall, too, with his booming voice, plays to the back of the theater during his florid, mannered performance. Patrick McGoohan seems only intermittently engaged but maintains his cool professionalism throughout.
With an opening recognition gambit that recalls a previous episode, "The Galloping Major," a sobriquet Lasalle pins on Drake, does trot from one plot point to another, although director Peter Maxwell tries to preserve the momentum even if the engagement is lacking. A professional if undistinguished effort.
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- darryl-tahirali
- Dec 13, 2023
Details
- Runtime51 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 1.33 : 1