Manhunt (1969 TV series)


Manhunt is a World War II drama series consisting of 26 episodes, produced by London Weekend Television in 1969 and broadcast nationwide from January 1970.

Synopsis

British pilot Jimmy Briggs crashes his aeroplane in occupied France and immediately finds himself on the run from the Nazis. He meets a young girl, Nina, a part-Jewish agent with important information, and vows to get her back to Britain. He is helped by another agent, code-named Vincent, and pursued across France by S.S. Officer Lutzig, and the ambivalent Abwehr Sgt. Gratz, a complex psychological character who is implied to fall in love with Nina. Unlike most previous war dramas, the Nazis were presented as more than just fanatical thugs. While Lutzig was close to the stereotype, although given great depth by Philip Madoc, Gratz could not have been more different. Unlike many similar dramas, Manhunt also portrayed in detail the rivalry between the SS and the Abwehr.
Although the overall plot is driven by the need to keep Nina out of the hands of the Germans and return her to England with her secret information, the series ended in an anti-climax. Gratz is sure that he has all of Nina's information anyway, mostly through pillow talk and carelessness on her part. Nina and Jimmy, despite their closeness while on the run, live in different worlds in England. Their relationship does not endure.

Cast

In addition, Manhunt features many notable guest appearances, such as by Paul Darrow, John Savident, George Sewell, Julian Glover, Nerys Hughes, Tony Beckley, and Richard Hurndall.

Episode list