Connect with us


TV

Enemy at the Door (ITV 1978-1980, Alfred Burke, Emily Richard)

Published

on


Enemy at the Door was a wartime drama series. During World War II a group of Islanders from Guernsey face upto their land being taken over the invading Germans.

The quite strange situation the Channel Islanders found themselves in during World War II has provided TV makers with some fertile ground over the years, the best of them was easily Enemy at the Door.

During World War II the Germans occupied the Channel Islands (Jersey, Guernsey, Sark etc) the only part of the United Kingdom to be so occupied, although far closer to France than England these tiny islands had (and still have) large British communities and had little or no support from the English government of the day.

As the series opens it is June 1940 and the islanders are waiting, with no small degree of apprehension, for the arrival of the invading German force; In particular the series focuses on Guernsey based Martell family led by Dr Phillips (Bernard Horsfall) who has to try and placate the Germans and deal with his headstrong 20 year old daughter Clare (Emily Richard).

Advertisement

Heading up the German force is the always excellent Alfred Burke as Major Richter and a pre Hi-De-Hi Simon Cadell as Hauptmann Rennike. The series does well to present both sides of the coin focusing as much on the Germans as on the locals. Less overblown than the on the air at the same time resistance drama Secret Army (although John Brason and NJ Crisp who wrote for that series also wrote for this) but just as tense, strong on dialogue and featuring that classic British mix of videotape interiors and film exteriors.

Watch out for John Nettles in a guest starring role a good while before he made Jersey his home in Bergerac.

production details
UK | ITV – London Weekend Television | 26×0 minutes | Broadcast 21 January 1978 – 29 March 1980

Creator: Michael Chapman
Executive Producer: Tony Wharmby

Advertisement

cast
ALFRED BURKE as Major Richter
EMILY RICHARD as Clare Martel
ANTONIA PEMBERTON as Olive Martel
BERNARD HORSFALL as Dr Philip Martel
SIMON CADELL as Hauptmann Renicke
RICHARD HEFFER as Peter Porteous


Alastair James is the editor in chief for Memorable TV. He has been involved in media since his university days. Alastair is passionate about television, and some of his favourite shows include Line of Duty, Luther and Traitors. He is always on the lookout for hot new shows, and is always keen to share his knowledge with others.

9-1-1 9-1-1
News53 mins ago

9-1-1, March 28, 2024, ABC, “Capsized”

In “Capsized,” the latest episode of the hit series 9-1-1, airing on Thursday March 28, 2024 at 8:00 PM on...

House Hunters House Hunters
News54 mins ago

House Hunters: All-Stars, March 28, 2024, HGTV, “To Build or Buy in Florida”

Get ready for a brand new episode of House Hunters: All-Stars airing on Thursday, March 28, 2024 at 8:00 PM...

House Hunters House Hunters
News55 mins ago

House Hunters: All-Stars, March 28, 2024, HGTV, “Rico to the Real Estate Rescue in Denver”

Tune in to HGTV on Thursday, March 28, 2024 at 8:30 PM for a new episode of House Hunters: All-Stars...

Down Home Fab Down Home Fab
News56 mins ago

Down Home Fab, March 28, 2024, HGTV, “First Comes Reno”

Don’t miss the latest episode of Down Home Fab on HGTV, airing on Thursday, March 28, 2024 at 9:00 PM....

Dateline: Unforgettable Dateline: Unforgettable
News60 mins ago

Dateline: Unforgettable, March 28, 2024, Oxygen, “A Walk in the Rain”

Oxygen’s true crime series, Dateline: Unforgettable, presents a chilling murder mystery in the small town of Nome, Alaska, this Thursday,...

House Hunters International House Hunters International
News1 hour ago

House Hunters International, March 28, 2024, HGTV, “Returning to Auckland, New Zealand as a Family Man”

Travel to Auckland, New Zealand with House Hunters International in their upcoming episode titled “Returning to Auckland, New Zealand as...

Station 19 Station 19
News12 hours ago

Station 19, March 28, 2024, ABC, “True Colors”

It’s time for exciting new episode of Station 19 on Thursday, March 28 at 10:00 PM on ABC. In “True...

Next Level Chef Next Level Chef
News13 hours ago

Next Level Chef, March 28, 2024, FOX, “It’s All Greek to Me”

In the latest episode of the reality cooking show “Next Level Chef,” airing on Thursday, March 28, 2024 at 8:00...

Bangers & Cash: Restoring Classics Bangers & Cash: Restoring Classics
News19 hours ago

Nissan Figaro & Ferrari 250 GT, Bangers & Cash, March 28, 2024, Yesterday

On Thursday, March 28, 2024 at 8:00 PM., Yesterday presents a brand new episode of Bangers & Cash. This reality...

Big Mood Big Mood
News19 hours ago

Big Mood Episode 2, 28 March 2024, Channel 4, “Down”

Continue the laughter and heartfelt moments with the second episode of Big Mood on Thursday, 28 March 2024 at 10:30...

Rob Beckett's Smart TV Rob Beckett's Smart TV
News19 hours ago

Natasia Demetriou, Anna Maxwell-Martin, Cush Jumbo, Romesh Ranganathan, Rob Beckett’s Smart TV, 28 March 2024, Sky Max,

Rob Beckett’s Smart TV is back with another entertaining episode on Thursday 28 March 2024 at 9:00 PM on Sky...

Trucking Hell Trucking Hell
News19 hours ago

Trucking Hell, 28 March 2024, 5Action

On Thursday 28 March 2024 at 9:00 PM., Trucking Hell returns with an action-packed episode that takes viewers into the...

A&E After Dark A&E After Dark
News19 hours ago

A&E After Dark, 28 March 2024, 5STAR,

Its another intense and gripping night at Tunbridge Wells A&E as A&E After Dark returns with a new episode on...

Big Mood Big Mood
News19 hours ago

Series Premiere, Big Mood, 28 March 2024, Channel 4, “Up”

Gear up for a hilarious and heartfelt comedy as Big Mood makes its debut on Channel 4 on Thursday, 28...

Great British Railway Journeys Great British Railway Journeys
News19 hours ago

Edinburgh to Queensferry, Great British Railway Journeys, March 28, BBC Two,

BBC Two is set to air a brand new episode of Great British Railway Journeys on Thursday, March 28, 2024...

BBC Two Logo BBC Two Logo
News19 hours ago

Bruce Lee: A Life in Ten Pictures, 28 March 2024, BBC Two

On Thursday, 28 March at 9:00 PM., Bruce Lee fans will have the opportunity to take a look at his...

Popular