Written by Jack Pulman, Episode 9 titled "Dress Rehearsal" is one of the most memorable and historically convincing episodes of the series FALL OF EAGLES for several reasons.
Firstly, we get a clear picture of the chaos that Europe found itself in at that time. Diplomats act behind the wings and each has his own business to do. Yet, hardly anyone is willing to answer for the consequences... The man in the frontier here is the Russian Baron Isvolsky (played skillfully by the great actor Peter Vaughan) who makes a secret alliance with an Austrian ambassador Aehrenthal (John Moffat) that Russia will accept the Austrian annexation of Bosnia and Herzegovina under certain conditions. These conditions revolve around the Dardanelles. However, as clever as it may seem, the bargaining positions might soon turn into the accomplished facts they all will have to face. Everything seems to be slipping through his fingers. Through the character Isvolsky, we get an interesting insight into what politics has always been and what actually lies behind certain decisions that influence the whole countries and their peoples. The drama of a man, irresponsible man making unforgivable mistakes leads to the drama of nations...
Secondly, we get some really well depicted events that are given some time on screen throughout the episode. First, it is the historic meeting of tsar Nicholas II (Charles Kay) with the king of England Edward VIII, called Bertie (Derek Francis). Their moment is supplied with a glimpse of early photography and the grandeur of a ball where the welcoming march by Chopin adds the flair of elegance to the event. Then, it is the meeting of the English, the French and the Austrians - each character absorbed with the things important to their country. I particularly like John Bennet as a distinguished French diplomat Georges Clemenceau who, by all means, does not want to have his lunch spoiled. Finally, it is the only scene with Kaiser Wilhelm (Barry Foster) here, the only but the one so memorable: he is hunting, absorbed in slaughtering chickens, as his counselor tells him, being behind the curtains of events, aware of the fact that he is always to be blamed... The scenes are truly brilliant.
Thirdly, I consider this episode as one of the best ones because of the script. As penned by Jack Pulman, the lines are supplied with insightful study of the time, with psychological look into the characters and immense capability of capturing the diplomats' language. You, as a viewer, feel as if you watched history. Scenes leave you breathless and captivated by watching events that we know, due to our history lessons that once we learned, but feel as if history comes to life again.
Yes, indeed, the circle of history lies in the fact that various influential people interpret their moments differently. Some think that they are still striving at bargaining positions while others already know that it is too late for "any" bargaining. What they face are just accomplished facts...what might happen, though, if the facts are tragic for us, these simple, grey people? Let is hope not...
Firstly, we get a clear picture of the chaos that Europe found itself in at that time. Diplomats act behind the wings and each has his own business to do. Yet, hardly anyone is willing to answer for the consequences... The man in the frontier here is the Russian Baron Isvolsky (played skillfully by the great actor Peter Vaughan) who makes a secret alliance with an Austrian ambassador Aehrenthal (John Moffat) that Russia will accept the Austrian annexation of Bosnia and Herzegovina under certain conditions. These conditions revolve around the Dardanelles. However, as clever as it may seem, the bargaining positions might soon turn into the accomplished facts they all will have to face. Everything seems to be slipping through his fingers. Through the character Isvolsky, we get an interesting insight into what politics has always been and what actually lies behind certain decisions that influence the whole countries and their peoples. The drama of a man, irresponsible man making unforgivable mistakes leads to the drama of nations...
Secondly, we get some really well depicted events that are given some time on screen throughout the episode. First, it is the historic meeting of tsar Nicholas II (Charles Kay) with the king of England Edward VIII, called Bertie (Derek Francis). Their moment is supplied with a glimpse of early photography and the grandeur of a ball where the welcoming march by Chopin adds the flair of elegance to the event. Then, it is the meeting of the English, the French and the Austrians - each character absorbed with the things important to their country. I particularly like John Bennet as a distinguished French diplomat Georges Clemenceau who, by all means, does not want to have his lunch spoiled. Finally, it is the only scene with Kaiser Wilhelm (Barry Foster) here, the only but the one so memorable: he is hunting, absorbed in slaughtering chickens, as his counselor tells him, being behind the curtains of events, aware of the fact that he is always to be blamed... The scenes are truly brilliant.
Thirdly, I consider this episode as one of the best ones because of the script. As penned by Jack Pulman, the lines are supplied with insightful study of the time, with psychological look into the characters and immense capability of capturing the diplomats' language. You, as a viewer, feel as if you watched history. Scenes leave you breathless and captivated by watching events that we know, due to our history lessons that once we learned, but feel as if history comes to life again.
Yes, indeed, the circle of history lies in the fact that various influential people interpret their moments differently. Some think that they are still striving at bargaining positions while others already know that it is too late for "any" bargaining. What they face are just accomplished facts...what might happen, though, if the facts are tragic for us, these simple, grey people? Let is hope not...