ITV play from legendary Australian writer George Johnston. Not filmed in Australia but bought for broadcast.
Premise
On the outskirts of Mandalay in Burma, an Australian war correspondent Brian Davey discovers an Army unit without hope and apparently with no wish to survive. They have gained new ground against the Japanese in the push towards Mandalay.
Their young CO Captain Hamilton receives Davey with distrust and Davey becomes convinced Hamilton is hiding something. It turns out the unit displayed cowardice in battle.
Cast
* John Meillon as Brian Davey
* James Villiers as Capt. Hamilton
* Jeremy Bulloch as Pte. Rogers
* Sean Lynch as Pte. Berrigan
* Artro Morris as Cpl. Carradine
Production
George Johnston was a war correspondent. He married Charmain Clift and lived in Greece. He is best known for My Brother Jack successfully filmed in 1965.
Robert Tronson directed. Production Design by Frederick Pusey .
A copy of the script is with Johnston's papers at the NLA.
Johnston's biographer said Johnston "appears to have never written" the script. But it aired?
Meillon reportedly broke a rule to never play an Australian to star in this.
Australian Broadcast
In early 1964 the play was one of four bought for Australian TV, the others being East of Christmas, 31 Backyards and Stella. It aired in Sydney in 18 March 1964 and in Melbourne on 12 Feb.
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| SMH 16 March 1964 p 29 |
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| Liverpool Echo 10 May 1963 p 2 |
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| The Stage 16 May 1963 p 13 |
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| TV Times Victoria |
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| Nottingham Evening News 9 May 1963 |
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| The Guardian 10 May 1963 |
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| Daily Telegraph 10 May 1963 |
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| The Observer 12 May 1963 |
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