A 10 PLUS RATING. "The Train" sums up the genius behind MISSION IMPOSSIBLE, and perhaps may be the best episode of the entire series. Watch this one and enjoy the ultimate con of cons.
Absolutely outstanding writing on the part of series regular William Read Woodfield who put together a fascinating story about exposing a dictator. Actually, the dictator, a deputy premier of a small European country (memorably portrayed
by William Windom) is patiently waiting for the current prime minister (Rhys Williams) to kick the bucket. The prime minister is in ill health and is being carefully transported on a train, accompanied by his doctor, played by familiar actor William Schallert.
Here's where it's REALLY intriguing. The train trip is all a giant hoax, designed by the clever IMF team. Actually, the train scenes were filmed at the Union Station yards in Los Angeles. The train is carefully rolled into a large garage where a camera and tech crew is waiting. The IMF team, via sound effects and shock absorbers, make it look like the train crashes -- and the prime minister is killed.
This has got to be the best scene ever done on the series, and one you'll want to see again. Original and so much fun to watch the secret plan in action... and ALMOST exposed.
The crooked deputy premier awakens in a hospital bed to discover he's now in charge and is ready to
become the ultimate dictator --or so he thinks???
Applause to director Ralph Senensky, and the only episode he headed. He was associated with STAR TREK at the time, also directing many episodes of THE FBI. Ralph got the very, very best from the entire cast here, hands down. This is an incredible production.
Veteran actor Rhys Williams is excellent as the ailing prime minister, and you really feel sorry for this guy, as another reviewer noted. Williams had a distinguished career, appearing in such classic films as MRS. MINIVER, BELLS OF ST. MARYS and THE CORN IS GREEN, and that's just a few movies to note. He also was on tv for years, associated with Warner Brothers tv (77 SUNSET STRIP etc). A top grade actor. He passed a few years after this episode in 1969, after appearing on MANNIX.
So Recommended.
From SEASON 1 EPISODE 24 remastered Paramount dvd box set.