I love the interaction throughout the entire series between the Kommandant and the SBO. Two War Veterans (both survived WW1/The Great War) understanding their situation and the reality that WW2 has placed them in... Respect and understanding, always, in both directions!! (Except that one time where the Kommandant thought the SBO "was deserting his post", but when he found out the underlying reason, once again bent some rules under compassionate reasons!)
As an American, never having heard about this series, I am so impressed. I knew David McCallum from the Great Escape and the Man from U.N.C.L.E. series, but all I had as a 12 year old was the Rat Patrol... Thank you so much for taking the time to post the entire series, It is truly excellent.
@@markfryer9880 What's been going through my mind watching these is that while they were airing in the UK, in the US I was watching "Hogan's Heroes" reruns.
The actor, Leonard Fenton, playing the German soldier talking to the card school in the yard died very recently, 29th Jan 2021 aged 95. Leonard had a long and distinguished acting career. RIP Leonard.
I must agree with the previous comment. Being American, I have never heard of this series before. It is excellent and quite suspenseful. Acting and drama level are superb.
If you have ever seen silent movies you discovered that the camera could capture excellent actors silent emoting. Didn't have to say a word it was all in the face. Sometimes I run the scene where the Major feels very angry just to see how Anthony Valentine projects it without a word. Wunder bar but then Valentine always gave his best.
Love this series. Somehow missed it in the 70s, although I remember briefly seeing part of episode on the CBC, but didn't give it a chance. My loss then, but enjoying it thoroughly now. Bernard Hepton is extraordinary as the kommnadant as is Jack Hedley as Col. Preston. Bernard Hepton is also outstanding in "Secret Army," another Gerald Glaister production, which is equally compelling.
I liked the way David McCallum ordered the two Officers of his bed for the second time 18.52......I had that in Boarding School in the 70's where your bed was your only space and sanctuary and you felt "invaded" if you came into your dormitory and there were boarders sat on your bed messing it up using it as a meeting place !
Ray Barrett carries this episode to the top of the pile. His character Collins is out for himself but is no flake, he's got a solid record of putting himself in harm's way to protect others when it's time to.
First of all, thank you for uploading this, it is a wonderfully done series. This episode reminds me of the first ship I was on. Talk about gambling, each compartment had its own game and limits. The mess deck a dollar, the rec deck $5 and the sick bay...unlimited! I heard of shipmates losing whole pay checks. Thankfully I never got the bug.
Quite a dishonorable action for any officer in the services to take advantage of another "brother officers" weakness at gambling. Very unlikable character. Quality drama like this is now sadly missing. Arguably this was a golden age of Television history.
IU think the SBO, Preston, was wrong in not banning gambling for money. It's not just a "private" business It can seriously affect morale in the section. As we see.
Ray Barrett was Australian, who came to the UK in 1954 to start his acting career here. His accent was very good, as you wouldn't really notice his native Australian accent in this episode.
I absolutelly agree with all previous comments ,about how brilliant this episode is!! GENERALLY SPEAKING ,BOTH SEASONS ARE BRILLIANT , I ADORE IT...............ALSO I ADORE SECRET'S ARMY ,ALL 3 SEASONS AND FINALLY LAST BUT NOT LEAST ,KESSLER (1981) !! WW2 ERA SERIES ,BBC - TOTALLY ADORABLE COMBINATION!!
In a time long before "Easter Eggs" and subtle references in film/TV etc, this show did a nice job of dropping a couple that I've picked up so far. In this episode, Collins mentions to the Colonel that he was on his way to Stalag Luft III near Sagan, that is the site of the "Great Escape". Nice nod to an incredible achievement by heroic, brave men who should be never, ever forgotten!!!
"Bridge" was actively encouraged at my Boarding School in the 70's(Housemaster wanted his "cut" on winnings" and some Pupils lost their monthly allowance and ALL Biscuits in their Tuck Box which was pretty damn serious then Old Boy !
a great series there are always people who pray on people and was a good story great to see he got delt to a well done programe one thing imm dead against is gambleing i seen close friends loose so much
Ray Barrett nailed the roll of Collins, strange to think there was a time when the British needed Australian actors to do a really good bad guy! Of Course Ray Barrett is probably better known for his work on Thunderbirds.
What did Ray Barrett do for Thunderbirds ? It was my favourite kid's series as a 6 year old boy and I wanted to be the Pilot of Thunderbird 2. It was a "Cult" Series.
@@grogery1570 Nah, the father was Jeff Tracy. He was voiced by Peter Dyneley. John Tracy was in space on Thunderbird 5, sharing the duties with Alan. Gerry Anderson hated the John character so they kept him up in the space station for most episodes, although he usually appeared briefly in every episode because Thunderbird 5 was the first to pick up the calls for help in most cases. You are correct about him being voiced by Barrett though.
How does the gambler think his recreational activities are his private business when they are directly affecting the other POWs? Their losses at the card table could have a direct and detrimental influence on morale and this could influence their survival.
Tungsten Kid : I believe Ray Barrett was the voice of the Pilot of Thunderbird 5 which was the first port of call with communication to Tracy Island , correct me if I am wrong.
It's a mystery how Collins won the big prize at the end. When cards are shuffled, it's sheer chance what cards you end up with. Collins always came out on top.
Jon Hart: Ullmann was a typical Reserve Wehrmacht Officer "Strict but Fair" who always looked at both sides of the story. Indeed The Wehrmacht were not enamoured with the SS or Gestapo but unfortunately had to obey orders as they were seen as representatives of The Fuhrer.
@@Biggles2498 The Wehrmacht were generally quite scrupulous in their behaviour towards allied prisoners. However, it was very different in the East where over 3 million Soviet pows died under their custody.
Mohn and Ullman would work well together if they'd get over themselves. They have a lot in common, both being super duper serious and incapable of unwinding.
ullmann is more likeable.....he actually is quite fair and easy going.....he is wehrmacht so is a loyal soldier whereas mohn is brainwashed........mohn loves being hated
In reality, Captain Brent would be under no obligation to pay Collins. It was war and they were prisoners. They had no idea when the war would end. Collins would more than likely have been shot escaping and would find it very hard to escape to England. It would take Collins months to get back to England. If Collins had got back to England and presented this cheque and deeds of the house, the bank would never allow it as they would have no idea if Captain Brent wished this or not. A stranger coming to the bank with the deeds. It would never have been allowed.
out of curiosity what are the medal ribbons Collin's has on his uniform? Just wondering if they are historically correct for the timeline. The top ribbon I am assuming is the DFC.
I think it was summer at the start of the 1st series because they played cricket, and then there was an episode where they had to put the cricket stuff away because it was autumn. I reckon they kept it as winter for the rest because it gives a dreary atmosphere.
Prinz Nezz- "...they kept it as winter for the dreary atmosphere." That's a good point, like a true writer, and it really make the show. Since you brought it up: the term here we might want as a writer is "PATHETIC FALLACY" which means attributing emotion to aspects in nature. Like saying the clouds seem sullen, leaves dance, etc. Thanks for that comment I would never have thought of this term without you pointing it out.
The kindness from the Kommandant was seen at 49:25 when he handed this back to Colonel Preston. The Kommandant knew exactly what Collins had been doing, and that he won a large sum of money from Captain Brent from playing cards. Other Kommandants wouldn't have done this. This is why Colonel Preston was a bit surprised at this moment.
@@richardtaylor1652 Even though the Wehrmacht and Luftwaffe both had their own disgraces during the war, both were very different compared to the SS and Gestapo. One former POW once wrote that the level of humanity in the Wehrmacht and Luftwaffe was very different compared to the treatment to POWs given by the SS and Gestapo, as Wehrmacht and Luftwaffe soldiers were loyal to the state rather than to the Fuhrer and the sick Nazi ideology.
An assumption on the part of the writers and director etc that viewers understand the worth of various hands of cards. Though it isn't necessary to know in order to get what's going on, it is probably not as dramatically-charged to those (like me) who have no clue what the close-ups of the cards actually mean in terms of winning/losing hands...plus the whole idea of gambling, playing cards etc is not very compelling to those who see no point to it. But, the gambler is such a noxious character and so-well performed that this episode still succeeds as drama.
Aircrew especially were not allowed to take personal items, they had to be bagged up and kept in their flight locker for when they came back. Well, that's assuming that they come back.
Henry Chancellor in Colditz: The Definitive History claims 32 escaped, but only 15 were "home runs": 1 Belgian, 11 British, 7 Dutch, 12 French, and 1 Polish
Air gunner - The role was to defend the bomber using the aircraft's machine guns. In the early stages of the war usually an enlisted man, he could hold any rank from aircraftman 2nd class (until June 1940) upwards but most often a sergeant although some air gunners were commissioned officers of which a small number were considerably older than most aircrew and even veterans of World War I. An air gunner wore a single-winged aircrew flying badge with a wreath containing the letters AG on his tunic, above his left breast pocket denoting his trade specialisation and very early in the war might also have the brass "winged bullet" qualification badge of a pre-war air gunner on his sleeve.[32][34][35]
I confess to a very bad thought. I have not seen this series and do not know the year being imagined in this episode. I assume that the man plays with a marked deck. When I heard that he must go to Dresden for medical treatment, I considered that, that time being very soon, a fire in that old city might be as four aces in the hand of fate.
Agreed , to have qualified for those great war trio medals he would have to had been at least 20 in 1918 to qualify thuis in Colditz in 1942 he would have been 42 ? way too old for active air crew
Mohne is a ludicrous flight of fancy. Knights cross with oakleaves and swords, wound badge in gold, close combat clasp in gold, German cross in gold, unheard of in the history of the Luftwaffe other than perhaps Rudel and certainly no Fallshirmjager came any where close to that collection. The close combat clasp in gold for example is rarer than the knights cross!
The characgters back story, he was involved in the ground fighting on Crete which would make him a Luftwaffe paratrooper. They also fought on the eastern front against the Russians where he received his wounds that took him out of combat. Then served directly with Hitler. In this case plenty of opportunity to earn these types of awards leading ground troops even though a Luftwaffe officer and to be awarded any number of awards for being in command structure
@@pdxyyz4327 It bears no resemblance to reality so totally unrealistic and a fantastic flight of fancy. At least try and make it realistic and believable! No Fullschirmjager was in those mixture of battles or was awarded that range of the very highest awards.
Not to mention that anyone who is that antagonistic to every single person he comes across would have been lucky to graduate flight school! And let's face it, there aren't many heroes who didn't have the complete support and love of their comrades.
Collins was nothing but a hustler and in for himself how he survived first war and two tours as tail gunner god knows plus he would gladly sell Jewish germans down river
So basically....if you wanted a cushy place 2 finish off the war you just kept trying 2 escape, and you ended up at the castle with the lenient Commandant 🤔
The Wehrmacht controlled Prisoner of War camps and followed the Geneva Convention rules nearly 99% of the time. They did this, because the majority of the Wehrmacht were not sadists like the bastards in the SS, SD and Gestapo. They were army men who believed in the rights and rules of prisoners of war.
One must give evidence of that very knowledge - by which I mean: Brent obviously did not know HOW Collins cheated. It's not always the shuffling or the marked cards. Besides: (a.f.a.i.k.) to cheat cunningly was considered to be something of a gentlemans craft (at least in the 18th & 19th century) and it took a lot of said craft to expose such gentlemens feats...
Their building a glider (it actually happened although it never flew) got me thinking. I wonder if they had ever considered a hot air balloon. Should be easier to build than a glider. Wait for rainy windy night and off you go. Germans would likely all be huddled away from the rain and wind.
A remarkable performance by the actor playing the gambler. He is completely convincing in the most natural way.
I love the interaction throughout the entire series between the Kommandant and the SBO. Two War Veterans (both survived WW1/The Great War) understanding their situation and the reality that WW2 has placed them in... Respect and understanding, always, in both directions!! (Except that one time where the Kommandant thought the SBO "was deserting his post", but when he found out the underlying reason, once again bent some rules under compassionate reasons!)
As an American, never having heard about this series, I am so impressed. I knew David McCallum from the Great Escape and the Man from U.N.C.L.E. series, but all I had as a 12 year old was the Rat Patrol... Thank you so much for taking the time to post the entire series, It is truly excellent.
I've got to say though, that this episode really bothered me...
joeviking61 me too. Now I have finished the episode I loved it but I was constantly in anguish when watching.
Try the books colditz and later dsys of colditz pr reid. Awesome books
Well, Rat Patrol was a sanitized American rip off of the activities of the Long Range Desert Group and the SAS, Special Air Service Commandos.
@@markfryer9880 What's been going through my mind watching these is that while they were airing in the UK, in the US I was watching "Hogan's Heroes" reruns.
Ray Barratt plays the role of the sociopath Flt Lt Collins to perfection in this episode!
" Sociopath " ? Doesn't the RAF require neuropsychiatric exams for its officers ? How could he have passed ?😮
The actor, Leonard Fenton, playing the German soldier talking to the card school in the yard died very recently, 29th Jan 2021 aged 95. Leonard had a long and distinguished acting career. RIP Leonard.
It was in 2022
Better known for playing Dr Legg in Eastenders
@@MattMcKimmieyes your right ,he was doctor leg,I thought,id seen him somewhere else but couldn't think where !
His German accent was compelling.
One of the best episodes in the series. Ray Barrett was brilliant!
Me and dad use to watch this together a bit of ritual. It stirs up a few emotions really miss him beegone nearly 40 years
Great storylines.Proper acting.
I must agree with the previous comment.
Being American, I have never heard of this series before.
It is excellent and quite suspenseful. Acting and drama level are superb.
Brilliant episode, thanks for uploading. Mohn was the right bloke to sort out the arrogant Collins.
Wonderful series
Outstanding series! Thanks so much.
31:25 - £2,000 in 1944 amounts to around £82,000 in 2017. A lot of money to lose on cards.
We’re up to £93,150 now
£111,147 in 2024.
I swear the Col is a freakin' Rock of Gibraltar. I think that character/actor combo is my favorite in this series. Give'm Hell Col! 23:50
He also played a Lawyer at a Court Martial in the fantastic series "UFO"
Amazing actor Anthony Valentine.
If you have ever seen silent movies you discovered that the camera could capture excellent actors silent emoting. Didn't have to say a word it was all in the face. Sometimes I run the scene where the Major feels very angry just to see how Anthony Valentine projects it without a word. Wunder bar but then Valentine always gave his best.
Usually played the cold villain type. Also in Callan in that era.
Love this series. Somehow missed it in the 70s, although I remember briefly seeing part of episode on the CBC, but didn't give it a chance. My loss then, but enjoying it thoroughly now. Bernard Hepton is extraordinary as the kommnadant as is Jack Hedley as Col. Preston. Bernard Hepton is also outstanding in "Secret Army," another Gerald Glaister production, which is equally compelling.
I liked the way David McCallum ordered the two Officers of his bed for the second time 18.52......I had that in Boarding School in the 70's where your bed was your only space and sanctuary and you felt "invaded" if you came into your dormitory and there were boarders sat on your bed messing it up using it as a meeting place !
In the series, McCallum had been also there for years. From 1940. Like a prison sentence without length.
Ray Barrett carries this episode to the top of the pile. His character Collins is out for himself but is no flake, he's got a solid record of putting himself in harm's way to protect others when it's time to.
At least Brent gave the barracks some serious entertainment with those high stakes card games lol
Leonard Fenton who played the gambling German, went on to play Doctor Legg in BBC's 'Eastenders' for many years.
I am relieved to hear that. I thought he had been executed.
@@ABC_DEF He's also in a bit part in Auf Weidersehen Pet - set in Germany...
His "German" is excellent
First of all, thank you for uploading this, it is a wonderfully done series. This episode reminds me of the first ship I was on. Talk about gambling, each compartment had its own game and limits. The mess deck a dollar, the rec deck $5 and the sick bay...unlimited! I heard of shipmates losing whole pay checks. Thankfully I never got the bug.
Quite a dishonorable action for any officer in the services to take advantage of another "brother officers" weakness at gambling. Very unlikable character. Quality drama like this is now sadly missing. Arguably this was a golden age of Television history.
IU think the SBO, Preston, was wrong in not banning gambling for money. It's not just a "private" business It can seriously affect morale in the section. As we see.
Absolutely brilliant episode!
The best one in my view.
Wonderful series. Thank you.
Ray Barrett was Australian, who came to the UK in 1954 to start his acting career here. His accent was very good, as you wouldn't really notice his native Australian accent in this episode.
Ha HAAAAAA!
The Card Shark, i Remember this episode like it was yesterday, excellent posts Apophis.
Beauty Mate, great stuff.
I absolutelly agree with all previous comments ,about how brilliant this episode is!! GENERALLY SPEAKING ,BOTH SEASONS ARE BRILLIANT , I ADORE IT...............ALSO I ADORE SECRET'S ARMY ,ALL 3 SEASONS AND FINALLY LAST BUT NOT LEAST ,KESSLER (1981) !! WW2 ERA SERIES ,BBC - TOTALLY ADORABLE COMBINATION!!
What about All Allo?
Ray Barrett. Legend. Wish new tv had the same depth and class.
j adore cette série les acteur sont très bien surtout sa tarte de l époque 39 45
In a time long before "Easter Eggs" and subtle references in film/TV etc, this show did a nice job of dropping a couple that I've picked up so far. In this episode, Collins mentions to the Colonel that he was on his way to Stalag Luft III near Sagan, that is the site of the "Great Escape". Nice nod to an incredible achievement by heroic, brave men who should be never, ever forgotten!!!
@canuck_gamer3359 But how many were conscripts who didn't want to be unwilling pawns in the poliitcians' war games and be there?
Convincing, that's the word. The most convincing episode, for me. Why can't politicians be more 'convincing'.
I remember this episode as starting a bout of 3 card brag at school which was stopped by the Headmaster
"Bridge" was actively encouraged at my Boarding School in the 70's(Housemaster wanted his "cut" on winnings" and some Pupils lost their monthly allowance and ALL Biscuits in their Tuck Box which was pretty damn serious then Old Boy !
I learnt all my Card Games at an East London School.
Brilliant
Shades of Hogan's Heroes- Colonel Preston quelled the "riot"...shows who is in charge🤣
a great series there are always people who pray on people and was a good story great to see he got delt to a well done programe one thing imm dead against is gambleing i seen close friends loose so much
Prey
Poor old George, if the writers needed someone to act dumb, scared or irrational, it always fell on him
Everybody has a vice or impulsive weakness mine is go go dancers although i havent given up my house yet
Ilike the way Collins let Junior Sergeant Kruger win the first game deliberately.
Its funny the things you remember, havent seen this since it was first shown but remember the turning over of the 4 and three at cards clear as day
Ray Barrett nailed the roll of Collins, strange to think there was a time when the British needed Australian actors to do a really good bad guy!
Of Course Ray Barrett is probably better known for his work on Thunderbirds.
What did Ray Barrett do for Thunderbirds ? It was my favourite kid's series as a 6 year old boy and I wanted to be the Pilot of Thunderbird 2. It was a "Cult" Series.
@@Biggles2498 He was the voice of John Tracy (the father) he did other characters but that was the voice that mattered as far as I was concerned.
@@grogery1570 Nah, the father was Jeff Tracy. He was voiced by Peter Dyneley. John Tracy was in space on Thunderbird 5, sharing the duties with Alan. Gerry Anderson hated the John character so they kept him up in the space station for most episodes, although he usually appeared briefly in every episode because Thunderbird 5 was the first to pick up the calls for help in most cases. You are correct about him being voiced by Barrett though.
Was he in The Troubleshooters in the 1960s?
How does the gambler think his recreational activities are his private business when they are directly affecting the other POWs? Their losses at the card table could have a direct and detrimental influence on morale and this could influence their survival.
In real life. I can't imagine he would allow gambling for money.
This is by far the best scene...
+Kier Mapp Awesome scene. Anthony Valentine was absolutely outstanding as Major Mohn.
RIP Anthony Valentine. Aka Toby Meres.
rod dale he was great in Call as Toby wasnt he? Similar character to Mohn!
Meres means seas in Deutsche
Great in not one, but two episodes of Minder as well, in case you are unaware.
Ray Barrett (Collins) stole the show in that one..:)
He was good at playing The Shit. I remember him in Public Eye playing a bent businessman.
Tungsten Kid : I believe Ray Barrett was the voice of the Pilot of Thunderbird 5 which was the first port of call with communication to Tracy Island , correct me if I am wrong.
@@roddyteague6246 Which episode was it please ? I would like to watch it thanks.
@@Biggles2498 Barrett was in 'The Bankrupt' episode of Public Eye, I think it was episode 1 of series 6 but i can't find it on youtube.
He knew the cards were marked but kept playing!
It's a mystery how Collins won the big prize at the end. When cards are shuffled, it's sheer chance what cards you end up with. Collins always came out on top.
@ Bill Hiers. Ullman was old school German, like the Commandant, hard but fair. He hated the Nazis, SS, Gestapo etc.
Ullman and Herr Kommandant still did the Nazis' bidding.
Jon Hart: Ullmann was a typical Reserve Wehrmacht Officer "Strict but Fair" who always looked at both sides of the story. Indeed The Wehrmacht were not enamoured with the SS or Gestapo but unfortunately had to obey orders as they were seen as representatives of The Fuhrer.
@@Biggles2498 The Wehrmacht were generally quite scrupulous in their behaviour towards allied prisoners. However, it was very different in the East where over 3 million Soviet pows died under their custody.
Episode 7 to 8 seems to jump from Marchish 43 to July 44.
I regret to inform you all that several scenes during this episode were shot first thing in the morning..
You may laugh in your own time
Poor Ray Barrett, playing a very unpleasant character in a series full of heroes and noble types.
Mohn and Ullman would work well together if they'd get over themselves. They have a lot in common, both being super duper serious and incapable of unwinding.
No they wouldn't. Mohn is a fanatical Nazi and Ullman isn't. Chalk and cheese.
ullmann is more likeable.....he actually is quite fair and easy going.....he is wehrmacht so is a loyal soldier whereas mohn is brainwashed........mohn loves being hated
Mohn is a fanatical Nazi and a control freak.
In reality, Captain Brent would be under no obligation to pay Collins. It was war and they were prisoners. They had no idea when the war would end. Collins would more than likely have been shot escaping and would find it very hard to escape to England. It would take Collins months to get back to England. If Collins had got back to England and presented this cheque and deeds of the house, the bank would never allow it as they would have no idea if Captain Brent wished this or not. A stranger coming to the bank with the deeds. It would never have been allowed.
John King even if he tried it wouldn't they question if Brent even existed?
@@jodyrussell4969 Hi Jody, you are right. Brent could easily have been killed in action.
Collins the con man would have pulled it off somehow im sure his wheels were already turning
Flight luitenant collins later went on to create the visa high interest credit card
out of curiosity what are the medal ribbons Collin's has on his uniform? Just wondering if they are historically correct for the timeline. The top ribbon I am assuming is the DFC.
DFC top, lower, cross de guerre (ww1), WW1 overseas service medal, the great war medal, the last on right not sure.
George should've kept the cheque and written off any debt when he saw the cards were marked
i love how pilots back then wore normal class A's , business as usual ol boy , wot wot....(we dont need no pesky flightsuits.)..
Thank you.
Australian-born Ray Barratt, playing Collins, had a prolific TV & film career in Australia from the 1970s.
Jack Hedley died 11 Dec 2021.
The Troubleshooters !!
David McCallum passed away yesterday 27/09/23 aged 90 . He came along way from his Man from Uncle days.
I remember him as Steel, an otherworldy being
He was a minor star in British cinema before going to the USA. Like in A Night to Remember.
@@davidcritchley3509 I think he's best remembered for his role in Colditz, he had a small role in Hell Drivers as well.
How come it's never summer in Colditz?
ppj0241 - LOL, good question.
It seems you guys haven't watched enough series.
wolfstrela- I've watched them all, but it seems like its always a damp, dreary day. Maybe the sun did come out once in a while but not often. LOL
I think it was summer at the start of the 1st series because they played cricket, and then there was an episode where they had to put the cricket stuff away because it was autumn. I reckon they kept it as winter for the rest because it gives a dreary atmosphere.
Prinz Nezz- "...they kept it as winter for the dreary atmosphere."
That's a good point, like a true writer, and it really make the show.
Since you brought it up:
the term here we might want as a writer is "PATHETIC FALLACY" which means attributing emotion to aspects in nature. Like saying the clouds seem sullen, leaves dance, etc.
Thanks for that comment I would never have thought of this term without you pointing it out.
The kindness from the Kommandant was seen at 49:25 when he handed this back to Colonel Preston. The Kommandant knew exactly what Collins had been doing, and that he won a large sum of money from Captain Brent from playing cards. Other Kommandants wouldn't have done this. This is why Colonel Preston was a bit surprised at this moment.
It has already cost the life of one good man. By giving Preston the documents, it would have saved other lives.
@@richardtaylor1652 Other Kommandants would not have done this. Others weren't as kind as this Kommandant was.
@@johnking5174 Absolutely right. Many other Kommandants would not have even been bothered in the slightest.
@@richardtaylor1652 Even though the Wehrmacht and Luftwaffe both had their own disgraces during the war, both were very different compared to the SS and Gestapo. One former POW once wrote that the level of humanity in the Wehrmacht and Luftwaffe was very different compared to the treatment to POWs given by the SS and Gestapo, as Wehrmacht and Luftwaffe soldiers were loyal to the state rather than to the Fuhrer and the sick Nazi ideology.
37:46 Oh no ! Right in front of Major Mohn ! 😮
An assumption on the part of the writers and director etc that viewers understand the worth of various hands of cards. Though it isn't necessary to know in order to get what's going on, it is probably not as dramatically-charged to those (like me) who have no clue what the close-ups of the cards actually mean in terms of winning/losing hands...plus the whole idea of gambling, playing cards etc is not very compelling to those who see no point to it. But, the gambler is such a noxious character and so-well performed that this episode still succeeds as drama.
Would a soldier take his cheque book with him?
Not supposed to...
Aircrew especially were not allowed to take personal items, they had to be bagged up and kept in their flight locker for when they came back. Well, that's assuming that they come back.
@@markfryer9880 Collins would be a man who did what he liked
@@tomcat2395 But Brent was the one with the cheque book, not Collins.
Sad for Kreuger, he really did look like a good guy despite being the enemy..
Well, he was only a German soldier, only doing his job.
The politicians were the real enemy
What is the last ribbon on the right Collins is wearing?
English Casino Ribbon :-)
It’s Dr Legg from Eastenders as Kruger
at 16:01 you can hear someone of the production crew cough in the background
They were all smoking like chimneys in the 1970’s probably in the studio
You could also simply put it down to the noise of a fellow officer in the cell next door to the colonel
I imagine if they told the guy he was playing with marked cards he would feel no obligation to give up his house
Henry Chancellor in Colditz: The Definitive History claims 32 escaped, but only 15 were "home runs": 1 Belgian, 11 British, 7 Dutch, 12 French, and 1 Polish
Ray Barrett....the Australian living in England forever.......
7:46 it’s Dr Legg!
Someone that age wouldn't be a rear gunner.
They had Navigators at the age of 32 with Squadron Leader Rank !
he was just a REAR!
Air gunner - The role was to defend the bomber using the aircraft's machine guns. In the early stages of the war usually an enlisted man, he could hold any rank from aircraftman 2nd class (until June 1940) upwards but most often a sergeant although some air gunners were commissioned officers of which a small number were considerably older than most aircrew and even veterans of World War I. An air gunner wore a single-winged aircrew flying badge with a wreath containing the letters AG on his tunic, above his left breast pocket denoting his trade specialisation and very early in the war might also have the brass "winged bullet" qualification badge of a pre-war air gunner on his sleeve.[32][34][35]
I confess to a very bad thought. I have not seen this series and do not know the year being imagined in this episode. I assume that the man plays with a marked deck. When I heard that he must go to Dresden for medical treatment, I considered that, that time being very soon, a fire in that old city might be as four aces in the hand of fate.
Collins seems a little elderly for his rank especially with WW1 ribbons.
Agreed , to have qualified for those great war trio medals he would have to had been at least 20 in 1918 to qualify thuis in Colditz in 1942 he would have been 42 ? way too old for active air crew
As Us army luitenant in WW2 made $175 a month which was more than the British
15:57 HE WAS AT STALAG LUFT 3, HE WAS WITH COLONEL KLINK
HooooGan!!!
He said Stalag Luft III, Sagan. This is the real camp from which The Great Escape was made. Klink was Stalag 13.
35:30 Why did he show his hand before Collins had called the bet? You deserve to lose a fortune if you play like that!
Canteeen Sergeant/Dr Legg from Eastenders, Actor Leonard Fenton died a few days ago aged 95. RIP
Mohne is a ludicrous flight of fancy. Knights cross with oakleaves and swords, wound badge in gold, close combat clasp in gold, German cross in gold, unheard of in the history of the Luftwaffe other than perhaps Rudel and certainly no Fallshirmjager came any where close to that collection. The close combat clasp in gold for example is rarer than the knights cross!
The characgters back story, he was involved in the ground fighting on Crete which would make him a Luftwaffe paratrooper. They also fought on the eastern front against the Russians where he received his wounds that took him out of combat. Then served directly with Hitler. In this case plenty of opportunity to earn these types of awards leading ground troops even though a Luftwaffe officer and to be awarded any number of awards for being in command structure
@@pdxyyz4327 It bears no resemblance to reality so totally unrealistic and a fantastic flight of fancy. At least try and make it realistic and believable! No Fullschirmjager was in those mixture of battles or was awarded that range of the very highest awards.
Not to mention that anyone who is that antagonistic to every single person he comes across would have been lucky to graduate flight school! And let's face it, there aren't many heroes who didn't have the complete support and love of their comrades.
Can't find S2 EP 6 & 7 .
Episodes 2-7 and 2-8 are available as uploads of Randell Luster. Not good as full screen, but a bit better than nothing...
Daily motion have them for anyone looking now
@@lmc4964 They're up on YT here now....
Collins was nothing but a hustler and in for himself how he survived first war and two tours as tail gunner god knows plus he would gladly sell Jewish germans down river
Tim Downing is wonderfully posh
Pretty amazing series and books
"Guards! Shoot Simon!"
£500 would have been the equivalent of about £20,000 in 41-2 seems s lot to lose.
Was 1944 but a lot of 💰
lt brent was supposed to escaped 10 episodes ago
Carter is right, Brent would probably just write Collins another cheque out of some misplaced sense of honour.
So basically....if you wanted a cushy place 2 finish off the war you just kept trying 2 escape, and you ended up at the castle with the lenient Commandant 🤔
I guess they tried to be lenient to discourage escapes.
The Wehrmacht controlled Prisoner of War camps and followed the Geneva Convention rules nearly 99% of the time. They did this, because the majority of the Wehrmacht were not sadists like the bastards in the SS, SD and Gestapo. They were army men who believed in the rights and rules of prisoners of war.
48.27-"Poor Bugger!"
16.23 the white haired silent actor appeared as a silent actor on the series " On The Buses " waiting at a bus stop.
Brits were out of order towards the end & there was no reason to be unruly unless I missed something!
I agree, not to mention the impertinence of ignoring Col Preston when ordered to be quiet for the first few seconds. Appalling lack of discipline.
@@yamahaU3 With all due respect, I'm sure we have all been in similar situations during similar times.
Gotta laugh at the soldier aiming with his left eye at 46:37.
Collins was sent to a hospital in Dresden. I wonder if he made it out alive.
My exact thoughts. '44 was the height of Allied fire bombing day & night of Dresden.
I don't get it. If Brent knows that Collins is cheating, why doesn't he expose him?
+Nathanael Tan (FirstAidLuver) I think he believe Collins when he said they were for playing against Jerry.
lydz25 Either way it's confusing xD
+lydz25 Brent was always shown to be a bit of a coward.
One must give evidence of that very knowledge - by which I mean: Brent obviously did not know HOW Collins cheated. It's not always the shuffling or the marked cards.
Besides: (a.f.a.i.k.) to cheat cunningly was considered to be something of a gentlemans craft (at least in the 18th & 19th century) and it took a lot of said craft to expose such gentlemens feats...
@@BALAGOTME Gambling Fever got hold of him.
George has always been such a weak personality.
4...loses his home ...on a 3...🥶
Dr Legg shot himself in the foot there.
what is the card gams Collins beats the german.never heard of 3 threes beats 3 kings
Interesting that in 1940s Germany english pows are calling pontoon blackjack.
Tv god bless it...any untruth is convincing if it is on screen.
The gleder, !!!
Their building a glider (it actually happened although it never flew) got me thinking. I wonder if they had ever considered a hot air balloon. Should be easier to build than a glider. Wait for rainy windy night and off you go. Germans would likely all be huddled away from the rain and wind.
Balloons are unsteerable and totally dependent on wind direction. Where would they land?
@@musicandfilms9956 Far away from Colditz hopefully.