Australian TV Plays: Shadow of Heroes (15 June 1960)

Based on a play by Robert Ardrey about the Hungarian Revolution.

Its premiere resulted in the release from Soviet custody of two political prisoners, Julia Rajk and her son.

Plot

The first act opens in 1944 and follows two members of the anti-Nazi Hungarian Resistance, László Rajk and his wife Julia. They are captured and tortured. At the end of the act, as World War II draws to a close, they are sent on a death march to Belsen concentration camp.

In the second act it is 1949 and Rajk has become minister of the interior in the post-war Communist Hungarian government. He enters into a conflict with his colleagues over his refusal to accept the luxurious living quarters afforded to other high-ranking government officials; they feel his refusal makes them look bad. Rajk ends up consenting to the living quarters (after his wife gives birth), but is arrested anyway. Three days later his wife is also arrested.

The third act takes place six weeks later. Rajk has resisted all attempts to get him to sign a false confession. He is visited by his close friend, János Kádár, who has succeeded him as Minister of Information. Kádár convinces Rajk that if he assents he will be able to live with his wife and child in the Soviet Union. Rajk signs the false confession and is hanged.

In the fourth act Kádár confesses to Julia, recently released from prison, that he betrayed Rajk, "for the good of the party."

Following Khrushchev's denunciation of Stalin at the 20th Congress Hungary decides to rehabilitate Rajk. Julia insists he have a public state funeral, which the Hungarian government assents to, though they decide not to publicize the event. Nonetheless over 250,000 people attend, triggering the events that lead to the uprising.

Though under the newly installed government of Imre Nagy Julia is safe, friends warn her that she will be targeted by the Soviet response.

Kádár, installed by the Soviets, succeeds Nagy, and Julia takes refuge in the Yugoslav embassy. Kádár promises the refugees amnesty. They are convinced, and leave the embassy, whereupon they are all arrested. The play closes with the announcement that Julia is still a prisoner of the Russians.

Cast

June Brunell as Julia Rajk
Wynn Roberts as Laszlo Rajk
Don Crosby as Janos Kadar
Michael Crosby as Laszlo Kadar Jnr
Campbell Copelin as Imre Nagy
Peter Aenensen as Rakosi
Robert Peach as Gero
Edward Howell as Viktor Babbits
Kevin McBeath as author and narrator

Original play

Shadow of Heroes was first produced in London on 7 October 1958. It starred Dame Peggy Ashcroft and was directed by Peter Hall. It only ran two weeks.

You can read a copy of the play here.

The play was apparently an example of verbatim theatre. It was based on real people and events.

The play was subsequently produced in New York and Germany.

It was performed in Melbourne in 1959 and in Sydney at the Independent in 1962.

Other adaptations

Shadow of Heroes was adapted for TV on the BBC in 1959 with Peggy Ashcroft and Eric Porter.

It was performed on Australian radio in 1959.

Sheila Florence, a floor manager at Channel 2, appeared in a stage production in Melbourne.

Production

It was shot in Melbourne. It was a return to historical orientated drama which the ABC liked to do. This was more present day admittedly.

Broadcast

The play was shown in Melbourne in June 1960 but did not show in Sydney until 27 September.

It was repeated in Sydney in September 1961.

Reception

The Age praised the "fine performances" but thought the use of newsreels slowed down the story.

The TV critic from The Sydney Morning Herald thought that producer William Sterling "managed to give the action (much of it dialogue) gripping provision; yet his insertion of newsreel film clips jarred slightly against the fine acting."

The Age quoted an ABC manager who said it was "outstanding".