They are offered/coerced by Australian intelligence, a chance to rescue her, if they first go in and kidnap a German officer who is visiting the island. Jack Thompson (in his first lead role) played the part of Erskine, a boozing, womanising Australian planter living in New Guinea. The first episode – retitled "The General" – aired in Sydney on 8 August 1971, and the rest of Australia on 26 August 1971. Lieutenant French  In 1959 he made a pilot called The Coastwatchers but no series resulted. This 14 disc collection is presented in a comprehensive two volume set, delivering all 41 episodes of authentic, action-packed wartime television viewing. “And that gave … Continue reading Jack Thompson Despite being based upon a war setting, character development played a key role in Spyforce. Spyforce videos - Watch Spyforce videos, featuring Spyforce interviews, clips and more at TVGuide.com. © Copyright 2021 Nostalgia Central. The pilot impressed Paramount, who bought overseas distribution rights, and the Nine Network, who bought the local rights. Gunther Haber  With Jack Thompson, Peter Sumner, Redmond Phillips, Katy Wild. Spyforce: Peter Sumner, Jack Thompson, Katy Wild, Redmond Philips, Wi Kuki Kaa, Gordon Piper, Jimmy Shinohara, Kevin Leslie Spyforce - Cast, Crew and Credits - TV.com Search [citation needed]. CHRONOLOGICAL OVERVIEW . A chronic case of diarrhoea breaks out amongst the Japanese Soldiers and it is discovered that Markidis has been dispensing laxatives instead of headache pills. Both are reluctant at first, so Cato fabricates false evidence against them to coerce them into co-operating. Directed by Howard Rubie. The final episode of Spyforce (The Rolls That Went to War) was in fact an attempt to make a pilot for a new series, this never emerged. HOME . This page was last edited on 23 December 2020, at 16:09. Haber is dropped off in New Guinea where he meets a local agent. They are blackmailed into becoming Australian espionage agents due to their knowledge of the New Guinea area. They are blackmailed into becoming Australian espionage agents due to their knowledge of the New Guinea area. It was produced by Nine Network in conjunction with Paramount Pictures.. The idea appealed to American producers Paramount Pictures, who backed Mirams to begin production without having seen a script. On 8 Disc, All Regions OR DOWNLOADS. The way the main characters interact and change over time was carefully scripted by Mirams. Spyforce was designed by Roger Mirams to be a wartime espionage action adventure in the format of a weekly, hour-long television mini-film. Barrow  Corporal Markidis intervenes and pleads that Stoker is mentally ill. It was the first lead role for Jack Thompson. Spyforce sold well overseas, especially in Britain, America and South-East Asia. Captain Pollock  Erskine is parachuted into Burma with a beautiful female operative, Jill Seymour, in order to blow up a bridge. After their own medic is killed they force Markidis to attend to their wounded and sick. Much of their work must remain top secret. Spyforce investigates a medical drug smuggling ring. A rancid batch of penicillin is to be sent to doctors to kill soldiers injected with the drug. Created by Ron McLean, Roger Mirams, Brian Wright. Peter Sumner They take him back to Sydney where he is Court Martialled. When he discovers a Japanese platoon in the region his report is ignored by the General in command of the area, who refuses to allow the post to be evacuated. Nick Tate An Australian folk song "Waltzing Matilda" was modified as "Spyforce" theme tune. Unlike many previous war films, particularly American ones, Spyforce does not portray the protagonists as invincible, who always win an easy victory. The protagonists are members of a secretive special elite unit known as the Special Intelligence Unit, headed by Colonel Cato, who is only responsible directly to the Prime Minister of Australia. Like Erskine, Haber also owned a plantation which he was forced to abandon ahead of the Japanese. LINKS . The series is about the life of Soviet spy Maksim Isaev operating in Nazi Germany under the name Max Otto von Stirlitz, played by the Soviet actor Vyacheslav Tikhonov. Found guilty of desertion in the face of the enemy Stoker is ordered to face a firing squad. Spyforce is an Australian television series that aired from 1971 to 1973 on Nine Network. Spyforce season 1 episode 41 The Trail : Erskine accompanies two Army nurses to a medical aid station on the Kakoda Trail in New Guinea. Colonel Cato  The series was based upon the adventures of Australian Military Intelligence operatives in the South West Pacific during World War II. Spyforce was a wartime espionage adventure series produced in Australia by the Nine Network as a co-production with Paramount Pictures. The narration during the opening credit sequence stated: Early in 1942 the Japanese Army swept through the South Pacific towards the Australian mainland. As a result numbers of civilian planters and soldiers were formed into highly trained espionage teams by Allied Headquarters in Australia. Born Peter Sumner-Potts, one of his first professional roles was working at the ABC — doing a range of tasks including writing, producing, directing, voice overs and working on radio shows. Erskine captures a Japanese courier who has valuable information about Japanese troops at. Jill Stewart  INTERVIEWS . Melbourne Listener In-TV… Watch Spyforce - Season 1, Episode 15 - The Gunner: Aired Unknown Dec 18, 1971 on The Nine Network Most of the series was then subsequently filmed in bushland at Narrabeen (a northern suburb of Sydney) and at Deep Creek, off Sydney’s Wakehurst Parkway, which doubled for the jungles of New Guinea – although at times it looked patently like Australian bush, with gum trees clearly visible in the background. Redmond Philips portrayed the ruthless and calculating Colonel Cato (pictured at right), the head of a special intelligence unit responsible only to the Prime Minister. [citation needed] Indeed, their human failings are made clear, and their plans do not always come to fruition. To ensure their co-operation, Cato fabricated damning evidence blaming them for an island massacre. Erskine and Gunther Haber are sent behind enemy lines to locate an Australian Medic, Corporal Michael Markidis, who is being held captive by the Japanese. He had long harboured an ambition to make a TV series set during the war. Producer Roger Mirams was also careful to avoid stereotypes of the genre, and tired formulas for the battle scenes. Watch Spyforce - Season 1, Episode 12 - The Cripple: After Erskine is hit by mortar fire, he is unable to walk. However, Cato has additional plans and … 1 9 7 1 – 1 9 7 2 (Australia) Even Germany and Japan bought the series – each buying only the episodes they weren’t in! Join / Sign Up Keep track of your favorite shows and movies, across all your devices. Aired Unknown Aug 26, 1971 on The Nine Network The series concerned a special group of operatives working for Australian Intelligence during World War II and operating from a top-secret headquarters in Sydney. Cato develops a devious plan to combat German agents who have abducted the wife of a doctor in order to force his aid in sabotaging a supply of penicillin for Allied troops which could result in their death. Peter Sumner was Gunther Haber, a cultured German who had been interned in Australia at the start of the war. Having manipulated them into continuing service with his department, he sends the pair to, Gunther Haber and Erskine discover a plot to destroy the. While on the run he meets up with Erskine and Gunther Haber. [3], Mirams went on to establish a strong reputation in the world of children's TV. An Australian World War II espionage adventure series. The series was last aired on Australian television in Adelaide on 21 September 1976, but has been re-run several times since. Markidis breaks out of the camp and is hunted by the Japanese. In all 42 episodes were produced. They specialise in infiltrating behind enemy lines for rescue and intelligence gathering missions. 1. TV Week, Aug 7, 1971. Comes on DVD-R in paper sleeves. The Spyforce episode guide includes recaps for every episode from every season and a full list of where you can watch episodes online instantly. All is not as it seems when it is discovered that Private Anthony Stoker had deserted in the face of the enemy carrying with him allied codes that are crucial to the allied effort in the Pacific. The doctor suspects the disability is only psychosomatic. Several ideal Sydney locations, such as Middle Head Fortifications were also used. Australian Intelligence Officers during World War 2. Also included is the rarely-seen pilot episode for the spin-off series 'The Rolls That Went To War' which didn't get past pilot stage, and consequently became the final SPYFORCE episode. Bill Hunter Matt Parsons  Erskine and Haber are sent in to destroy a vital road bridge that carries the goods to the construction camps for the Burma-Siam railway. They come across the base of a British long range penetration group, whose officer (Tony Wager) has an affair with Seymour, and whose sergeant (Nick Tate) is bullying a fellow soldier (Robert Blackman). Spyforce is an Australian television series that aired from 1971 to 1973 on Nine Network.The series was based upon the adventures of Australian Military Intelligence operatives in the South West Pacific during World War II. Spyforce was a wartime espionage adventure series produced in Australia by the Nine Network as a co-production with Paramount Pictures.. It does not dwell on torture by Japanese soldiers, or portray Australians as perfect. These men were directed into sabotage operations deep behind enemy lines throughout the Pacific area. Roger Mirams was a newsreel cameraman and war correspondent during World War II. Knowing that if the codes fell into enemy hands Colonel Cato orders Erskine and his partner Gunther Haber to find Stoker and recover the codes. During the following 27 hours they resist countless attacks from the Japanese before eventually making it back to a waiting submarine that takes them back to Australia. Nostalgia Central is an enormous scrapbook providing a trip from the Rockin 50s via the Swinging 60s, the Mirror-balled 70s and Day-Glo 80s to the Grunge-filled 90s. [1], The series centres on the action and adventures of lead actor Jack Thompson's character Erskine, and his main support character, Peter Sumner's Gunthar Haber. Spyforce season 1 episode 12 The Cripple : Erskine is shot and loses the use of his legs. He spends the rest of his life in a mental institution. One interesting fact is that Russell Crowe made his debut on the show at the age of six (his parents were caterers on the set). 1 9 7 1 – 1 9 7 2 (Australia) 42 x 60 minute episodes. Katy Wild Australian Intelligence Officers during World War 2. The series was shot in colour even though Australian TV was broadcast in black and white at the time. The series concerned a special group of operatives working for Australian Intelligence during World War II and operating from a top-secret headquarters in Sydney. The two are part of an elite unit of special operatives, the Special Intelligence Unit, and their adventures are loosely based upon those of the real Services Reconnaissance Department who often operated behind Japanese-held lines during the war.[2]. One scene was even filmed at the infamous Changi prison, where, after several hours of negotiation, the Governor was persuaded to raise the Japanese flag for the first time since the war. Captain Bergen  They overran the Malay Peninsula and reached deep into the jungles of New Guinea. They succeed in blowing up the bridge. Early in the production, the cast and crew travelled to Singapore, Macao, Thailand, Hong Kong and other Asian countries for a five-week location shoot, to obtain background filming that would be worked into episodes later. It was originally intended to produce 26 episodes, but following the success of the first series, Mirams held talks with both Nine Network and Paramount Pictures, who backed him for a second series. Max Cullen He made the pilot episode, "Spy Catcher", which was shot in November 1970. Not knowing who he is or what he holds the Japanese shoot Stoker and he is badly wounded. A bold, exciting and highly authentic wartime television series created by Roger Miriams, SPYFORCE also features a strong line-up of Aussie talent, including: Bill Hunter, John Hargreaves, Nick Tate, Jeanie Drynan, John Meillon and Serge Lazareff.Also included is the rarely-seen pilot episode for the SPYFORCE spin-off 'The Rolls That Went To War' which never proceeded as a full series. Stuart Finch They specialise in infiltrating behind enemy lines for rescue and intelligence gathering missions. Spyforce season 1 episode 1 The General : The Japanese army have invaded New Ireland and plantation owners, Erskine and Haber have fled to Australia leaving behind a woman they both love. German agents have abducted the wife of a doctor to blackmail him into helping them. Watch Spyforce - Season 1, Episode 1 - The General: Unknown. [citation needed], Spyforce was released on DVD by Umbrella Entertainment in April 2013. Sgt Pearl orders the members of C Company to storm and capture Hill 32 which is held by the Japanese. Cato's unit is responsible for sabotage and covert operations, often behind enemy lines, against Japanese forces in the South West Pacific during World War II. [7], http://www.classicaustraliantv.com/spyforce.htm, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Spyforce&oldid=995920535, 1976 Australian television series endings, Use Australian English from September 2011, All Wikipedia articles written in Australian English, Articles with unsourced statements from September 2010, Articles with unsourced statements from October 2018, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, Shortly after the Japanese submarine attack on Sydney, Colonel Cato, the Commanding Officer of the Special Intelligence Unit, sends Erskine to, Colonel Cato has received intelligence reports that the, Colonel Cato creates false evidence linking Gunther Haber and Erskine to a massacre on a small Pacific island in order to demonstrate the lengths he will go to in order to force them to work alongside each other, and to force them to carry out the orders he commands. On one of the shows, Woobinda, Animal Doctor, he established a good working relationship with writer Ron McLean. Colonel Cato recruits both Erskine and Gunther Haber into the Special Intelligence Unit as civilian operatives due to their intimate knowledge of the South West Pacific and New Guinea. 42 x 60 minute episodes. All rights reserved. Actor Peter Sumner, who first rose to prominence in the 1970s espionage drama Spyforce, has died at the age of 74. McLean wrote 35 of the episodes. The complete series was released on DVD in April 2013. F.A.Q. Spyforce has been repeated many times, and episodes are still likely to be screened at ridiculous times in the early hours of the morning, albeit wildly out of sequence. Spyforce investigates a medical drug smuggling ring. Forced to flee by the advancing Japanese, he resented the fact that the Army were not able to stop the enemy before they got to his plantation. SPYFORCE EPISODE DETAILS . Arna-Maria Winchester. The DVD set is compatible with all region codes. Actor Russell Crowe appeared briefly in one episode as a child actor at the age of seven. Unlike most previous war films, Spyforce deliberately steered away from the notion that the United States was solely responsible for Japan's defeat, and highlights the important role Australian forces played in the defeat of the Imperial Japanese Army. Read the latest Spyforce episode guides & recaps, fan reviews, news, and much more. One of Best Australian Drama War movies Best war movies ever Mirams showed McLean a concept he had been working on called Sparrowforce and McLean were enthusiastic.[3][4]. Other leading roles were played by Leonid Bronevoy, Oleg Tabakov, Yuri Vizbor, Yevgeniy Yevstigneyev, Rostislav Plyatt, Vasily Lanovoy, and Mikhail Zharkovsky. The Japanese army in Spyforce was made up of mainly Asian students from universities in Sydney – Ironically, almost every Asian nationality except Japan was actually represented in their ranks. Erskine  Soon deaths occur and further information comes to light that Markidis has also poisoned the water supply. SPYFORCE FEATURE ARTICLE . Episode Recap Spyforce on TV.com. Redmond Phillips A rancid batch of penicillin is to be sent to doctors to kill soldiers injected with the drug. It was very much intended to highlight the important role played by Australian forces in achieving victory in World War II, but also remain exciting and compelling. Erskine and Haber are two New Guinea plantation owners force to leave by the invading Japanese army. Spyforce (TV Series 1971–1972) cast and crew credits, including actors, actresses, directors, writers and more. German agents have abducted the wife of a doctor to blackmail him into helping them. In Yugoslavia, it was the second most popular show, and Katy Wild became the pin-up girl of male viewers. They find him cowering in a cave trembling with fear and with the Japanese approaching rapidly. Stoker spots them and makes a run to the exit of the cave. Find TV episodes, reviews, ratings, lists, and links to watch Spyforce online on SideReel - It was produced by Nine Network in conjunction with Paramount Pictures. Although some episodes were filmed on location in New Guinea, Thailand, Hong Kong, Macau and also in Changi Prison in Singapore, most of the filming was done in the Australian bushland surrounding Sydney. One of these groups may well have been called: Spyforce. After a bloody battle which sees half the company killed, including Sgt Pearl, victory is secured and Corporal Markidis along with Privates Girdis, Perkins, Storch & Scotts proudly hoist the Australian flag. 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