The Onedin Line: Blockade (BBC-1 21 Jan 1972)

Published

7 years ago

September 22, 2016

In Blockade the civil war in America is in full swing and James spots the chance to make a fortune running a unionist blockade to the embattled South.

The blockade is also affecting Britain too, valuable import/export trade is drying up closing down mills and leaving thousands hungry.

James, thanks to a wily pilot he hires at an exorbitant price, manages to make it through the blockade but hits trouble on the way back out when the pilot refuses to help them until things have calmed down somewhat. Stubborn James decides to take a chance anyway and gets captured.

Meanwhile Albert, now that he knows the truth about his child, has made up his mind to leave Elizabeth and travels with James to America only to change his mind when Anne gives him a letter from Elizabeth that makes him realise what he is giving up.

The ubiquitous Michael Sheard pops up as a wholesaler selling arms and goods to James to take to America, he looks almost unrecognisable with his lank black hair and straggly beard but the voice gives it away.

production details
UK / BBC One / 1×50 minute episode / Broadcast 21 January 1972 at 9.20pm

Writer: Allan Prior / Production Design: Ian Watson / Director: Ben Rea

Series: The Onedin Line Season 1 Episode 15

cast
Peter Gilmore as James
Anne Stallybrass asAnne
Brian Rawlinson as Robert
Philip Bond as Albert Frazer
Howard Lang as Mr Baines
Jessica Benton as Elizabeth
Willoughby Goddard as Ferns
Donald Douglas as Major Morrison
Jeremy Young as Fergusson
Graham Rigby as Mine Host
Michael Sheard as Smethurst
James Dyrenforth as Captain Bullock
Juliet Marshall as Jane Bamber
Nicholas Loukes as Crew member
Montgomery Brown as Bell
Sam Mansaray as Slave