Made in Germany nearly 70 years ago for Doug's anthology series, "Flight of Birds" deals with subject matter still highly topical today: the plight of refugees, interned in camps with no hope or freedom. The World War II displacements were severe, but matters have only gotten worse through recent wars and migrations.
Story focuses on a pair of teenage gypsies, played by British child actors Maggie McCourt and Richard Palmer (neither of whom forged a serious career, with Palmer dying young just six years later). They escape from their refugee camp in Southern Germany, living in the woods and foraging for food and sustenance.
When Palmer steals a violin, nearby townsfolk hunt the pair down and take them into custody at gunpoint. The local baron takes the kids under his wing and their future appears to be bright.
This simple story is quite Pollyannaish, but moving nonetheless. The kids perform well, and Walte Janssen, whose lengthy career dated back to the Silent Film era, is touching as the baron. I have only seen him previously in one movie, Harold Prince's classic 1970 feature "Something for Everyone", as he rarely made English language appearances.
Doug in his introduction to the show is effusive in praise for the episode, but unfortunately it never achieves the potential pathos and power one expects in dealing with such important subject matter.
Story focuses on a pair of teenage gypsies, played by British child actors Maggie McCourt and Richard Palmer (neither of whom forged a serious career, with Palmer dying young just six years later). They escape from their refugee camp in Southern Germany, living in the woods and foraging for food and sustenance.
When Palmer steals a violin, nearby townsfolk hunt the pair down and take them into custody at gunpoint. The local baron takes the kids under his wing and their future appears to be bright.
This simple story is quite Pollyannaish, but moving nonetheless. The kids perform well, and Walte Janssen, whose lengthy career dated back to the Silent Film era, is touching as the baron. I have only seen him previously in one movie, Harold Prince's classic 1970 feature "Something for Everyone", as he rarely made English language appearances.
Doug in his introduction to the show is effusive in praise for the episode, but unfortunately it never achieves the potential pathos and power one expects in dealing with such important subject matter.