In The Privilege of Justice David puts his life on the line when he visits Havana, Cuba to try and win the freedom of a political prisoner. Main finds obstacles and downright lies hampering his every turn. Initially David thinks he has the law on his side (as well as a huge sum of money put up by the prisoners cousin to help secure his release) but quickly learns that his status as a solicitor means nothing and he might have trouble even getting out of the country.
Meanwhile back at home Margaret has a more traditional case to deal with, a woman has sold a TV set that she has yet to finish paying for. She is in serious financial straits and Margaret thinks a plea of mitigating circumstances may be the way to go.
Something of a strange episode, it’s more like an episode of an ITC show like Danger Man than an episode of The Main Chance. But it’s interesting that for perhaps the only time in the whole run of the series we see David out of his depth.
Despite the sweat running from Main’s brow this was all filmed in the Yorkshire TV studios of course.
Only David, Margaret and Peter Findon appear out of the regular cast.
classic quote
“freedom or a death warrant. You decide…”
“I realise this is not your idea of justice Mr Main, but let’s see how much you’ve understood that ours also is necessary.”
production details
UK / ITV – Yorkshire / 1×50 minute episode / Broadcast Wednesday 16 July 1969 at 9.00pm
Writer: Edmund Ward / Production Design: Colin Pigott / Director: Christopher Hodson
Series: The Main Chance Season 1 Episode 5
cast
John Stride as David Main
Margaret Ashcroft as Margaret Castleton
Philip Bond as Peter Findon
John Bennett as Raul Ramira
Alan Browning as Montero
Liz Bamber as Priscilla Graves
Raymond Young as Charles Benoit
Lesley Nunnerley as Rosa
Dorothy Gordon as Mary Cooper
Lane Meddick as Cooper
David Grey as Sanches
Athol Coats as Angel Saqui
David Trevana as Prison cook
Al Garcia as Porter
Sonny Caldinez as Jeep driver
Al Fleming as Chauffeur