American journalist Mary Prescott is traveling on a train out of the Iron Curtain, after having meet with its dictator to talk about a variety of things. After having her luggage checked, she is then introduced to local celebrity Jan Gubak a famous soccer player who everyone seems to love. Gubak manages to talk Prescott into smuggling a watch which belonged to his grandmother across the country for him since her bags have already been check. However, strangely Gubak turns Prescott in telling officials that she has smuggled the watch from across country. Prescott is put in the trains jail facility, but, Gubak has a more interesting plan up his sleeve and what might it be?. An Interesting tale of intrigue made good primarily due to the time period this be 1956, and the Cold War going on pretty strong this is a nice piece of story telling for a time when television was still very young and new. The other is the fine cast of familiar faces Jacques Bergerac and Claire Trevor are both really good in there roles, and I have to admit it was pretty great to see both Werner Klemperer and John Banner in a early screen appearance together almost 10 years before the two would star along side each other in "Hogan's Heroes". Overall, this is a very well crafted story, with some really good performances.
13 Reviews
"I had forgotten how kind people can be."
classicsoncall22 July 2021
Warning: Spoilers
A major whoa! Moment occurs in this episode about mid-way through, when the amiable, national soccer star Jan Gubak (Jacques Bergerac) accuses journalist Mary Prescott (Claire Trevor) of smuggling a diamond encrusted watch across the border from a Communist country into the West, this after asking her to wear it because he was wary of being caught himself. The baffling predicament resolves when authorities discover that the diamonds are actually well defined rhinestones, thereby allowing Miss Prescott to continue on her journey. It's only later that we come to find out that Gubak orchestrated this scenario by convincingly setting her up in a manner by which she wouldn't give away his intentions unwittingly. What he really needed was for Miss Prescott to safeguard an excess amount of money that would have been confiscated crossing the border, something she could now do without suspicion since she had already been investigated. The money was intended for Gubak's sister's operation.
Observant old time television fans will recognize a couple of character actors portraying government officials who went on to star in the mid-Sixties comedy hit 'Hogan's Heroes'. Werner Klemperer would portray the clueless commandant of a Nazi prison camp, Colonel Klink, while John Banner would have the role of an even more clueless officer, Sergeant Schultz. Here they play it straight as Communist officials, though equally duped by the soccer star's effective ploy.
Observant old time television fans will recognize a couple of character actors portraying government officials who went on to star in the mid-Sixties comedy hit 'Hogan's Heroes'. Werner Klemperer would portray the clueless commandant of a Nazi prison camp, Colonel Klink, while John Banner would have the role of an even more clueless officer, Sergeant Schultz. Here they play it straight as Communist officials, though equally duped by the soccer star's effective ploy.
Claire Trevor Foreign Correspondent
sol-kay29 March 2013
Warning: Spoilers
***SPOILERS*** Leavng this unnamed Eastern European Communist Dictatorship where she had an exclusive interview with its president for life American news reporter Mary Prscott, Claire Trevor, is approached by the nation's star succor player Jan Gubak, Jacques Bergerac, for a favor she can do for him. Gubak wants Mary to sneak into West Germany and sell this old and expensive family watch, stuttered with gold and diamonds, to use the cash to pay for his sister's operation in Munich.
Being the kind hearted and understanding woman that she is Mary puts the watch under her own Jewlry in order to get it passed through border inspections. Wouldn't you know it it's Gubak himself who rats out Mary for trying to help his kid sister in getting a life saving operation in West Germany! Well as you can expect there's a lot more here then meets the eye in this "Alfred Hitchcock Presents" episode. And what there is has to do with the paranoia in the Communist country in anyone exposing it for the totally incompetent regime that it is. Which Mary without her knowing it is making that happen.
***SPOILERS*** Terrific ending sequence that shows us how the Communists own suspicions in the end worked against them. In this case suspecting Mary of sneaking jewelry out of the country that in fact was only a distraction in what she as well as soccer star Gubak were really attempting and in the end succeeding in doing! We have here future Hogan Hero's stars Werner Kelemperer & John Banner who clicked together so well in this "Alfred Hitchcock Presents" episode that they were reunited five years later in the movie "Operation Eichmann". In it Klemperer plays the Nazi grand architect of what was called the "Final Solution" to the Jewish Question Col. Adolph Eichmann and Banner as Eichmann's right hand man Rudolf Hoss the Commandant of the notorious Auschwitz Concentration Camp!
Being the kind hearted and understanding woman that she is Mary puts the watch under her own Jewlry in order to get it passed through border inspections. Wouldn't you know it it's Gubak himself who rats out Mary for trying to help his kid sister in getting a life saving operation in West Germany! Well as you can expect there's a lot more here then meets the eye in this "Alfred Hitchcock Presents" episode. And what there is has to do with the paranoia in the Communist country in anyone exposing it for the totally incompetent regime that it is. Which Mary without her knowing it is making that happen.
***SPOILERS*** Terrific ending sequence that shows us how the Communists own suspicions in the end worked against them. In this case suspecting Mary of sneaking jewelry out of the country that in fact was only a distraction in what she as well as soccer star Gubak were really attempting and in the end succeeding in doing! We have here future Hogan Hero's stars Werner Kelemperer & John Banner who clicked together so well in this "Alfred Hitchcock Presents" episode that they were reunited five years later in the movie "Operation Eichmann". In it Klemperer plays the Nazi grand architect of what was called the "Final Solution" to the Jewish Question Col. Adolph Eichmann and Banner as Eichmann's right hand man Rudolf Hoss the Commandant of the notorious Auschwitz Concentration Camp!
Well-Crafted Intrigue & Atmosphere
Snow Leopard6 March 2006
This episode of "Alfred Hitchcock Presents" features a well-crafted story of intrigue and atmosphere. The Cold War setting is central to the story, and it would probably have given the show even more of an impact in its own era, but the quality of the writing and acting allow the suspense and mystery to hold up quite well, even though the tensions it depicts are now only a matter of history.
The story has Claire Trevor as an American journalist, traveling in an unspecified Communist country, and meeting the nation's soccer hero on the train. They both become involved in a story of smuggling, interrogation, and suspicion, which features a number of nice twists and turns. Trevor and Jacques Bergerac are well-cast and give good performances, with Trevor as the forthright American and Bergerac as a patriot who must maintain a more dangerous balance between his position and his real feelings.
A lot of little things add up to make it enjoyable to watch. The Communist officials are portrayed in a very human way, not as stereotypes. The childlike joy that some of the soldiers show while discussing soccer contrasts with their anxious efficiency in investigating the smuggling accusations that arise. The settings likewise are simple but effective, creating a believable atmosphere.
The exposition scene is, perhaps of necessity, rather lengthy, but it is handled well by the stars. More importantly, the finale ties everything up neatly and in a way that lends some extra substance to the story as a whole.
The story has Claire Trevor as an American journalist, traveling in an unspecified Communist country, and meeting the nation's soccer hero on the train. They both become involved in a story of smuggling, interrogation, and suspicion, which features a number of nice twists and turns. Trevor and Jacques Bergerac are well-cast and give good performances, with Trevor as the forthright American and Bergerac as a patriot who must maintain a more dangerous balance between his position and his real feelings.
A lot of little things add up to make it enjoyable to watch. The Communist officials are portrayed in a very human way, not as stereotypes. The childlike joy that some of the soldiers show while discussing soccer contrasts with their anxious efficiency in investigating the smuggling accusations that arise. The settings likewise are simple but effective, creating a believable atmosphere.
The exposition scene is, perhaps of necessity, rather lengthy, but it is handled well by the stars. More importantly, the finale ties everything up neatly and in a way that lends some extra substance to the story as a whole.
Even through a fine storyline it doesn't fit properly on the series's concept what the master painstakingly drafted !!!
elo-equipamentos28 March 2021
It's off-pattern Alfred Hitchcock's presents, a point outside the curve, it wasn't properly bad, actually far away from that, just doesn't fit on the early concept which the master developed the series, his usual intro somehow saves the day, when he forgot the name of the episode pointedly.
The story takes place in a night train (what was a favorite spot on Hitchcock's movies) creating a bleak atmosphere, where an renowned American newspaper correspondent Mary Prescott (Claire Trevor) is coming from a nameless nation of the iron curtain straight to West Germany, she was addressed by a notorious soccer player Jan Gubak (Jacques Bergerac) asking for your help to keep hidden a priceless wristwatch with diamond encrusted with her belongs, due Mary's luggage already had the seals of customs, such watch will be sell to afford his sister's operation at hospital on West Germany, the good heart Mary accepts for human reasons eve knowing that was in jeopardy.
Sadly reaching near of final destination the unexpected comes, Jan uncannily accuses the naïve Mary smuggles the valuable watch without reporting the authorities, she was debriefed by the train's custom's authorities, even Mary claiming that was framed by Jan, well this episode would be a great spying thriller, in my view doesn't add up in this conceptual series, although the story is highly compiled!!
Thanks for reading.
Resume:
First watch: 2021 / How many: 1 / Source: DVD / Rating: 7.5.
The story takes place in a night train (what was a favorite spot on Hitchcock's movies) creating a bleak atmosphere, where an renowned American newspaper correspondent Mary Prescott (Claire Trevor) is coming from a nameless nation of the iron curtain straight to West Germany, she was addressed by a notorious soccer player Jan Gubak (Jacques Bergerac) asking for your help to keep hidden a priceless wristwatch with diamond encrusted with her belongs, due Mary's luggage already had the seals of customs, such watch will be sell to afford his sister's operation at hospital on West Germany, the good heart Mary accepts for human reasons eve knowing that was in jeopardy.
Sadly reaching near of final destination the unexpected comes, Jan uncannily accuses the naïve Mary smuggles the valuable watch without reporting the authorities, she was debriefed by the train's custom's authorities, even Mary claiming that was framed by Jan, well this episode would be a great spying thriller, in my view doesn't add up in this conceptual series, although the story is highly compiled!!
Thanks for reading.
Resume:
First watch: 2021 / How many: 1 / Source: DVD / Rating: 7.5.
The Threat Is Always There!
Hitchcoc9 October 2008
This episode deals with that interesting feeling that one gets when traveling under the threat of a government that could arbitrarily detain or arrest someone. Will they accept your passport? Will they identify you as an undesirable? That's what happens here. As she travels in such a location, an American reporter finds herself at the mercy of some pretty scary characters. She is duped by a young soccer player and finds herself under arrest. She is strong, but she knows that she really has little power other than a lot of bluster. She also feels betrayed. This is cold war stuff with an element of spy drama. It builds suspense well and has a satisfying conclusion. Note that there is a contingent of "Hogan's Heroes" characters: John Banner (Sergeant Schultz) and a supposed researcher, Werner Klemperer (Colonel Klink). This is a well done little fifties drama.
Worth seeing for Klemperer and Banner....and that's about all.
planktonrules18 February 2021
John Banner and Werner Klemperer were both actors who starred in "Hogan's Heroes"....they also fled the Third Reich and in some ways it must have been satisfying parodying this awful empire in the show. But this wasn't the first time the pair starred in the same show, as both appear in "Safe Conduct", an "Alfred Hitchcock Presents" episode starring Claire Trevor (from such great films as "Stagecoach" and "Key Largo").
Mary Prescott (Trevor) is an American journalist who has been behind the Iron Curtain interviewing the president of some country. However, she ends up being duped into smuggling...and a staged investigation occurs. Obviously, these officials want to create some sort of international incident. Is there any hope for the lady or is she gulag-bound?
This episode is clearly a sign of the times. Things were very tense with the Soviet-bloc nations and this came just a few years after the Red Scare of the late 40s and early 50s. As such, it really didn't fit into the style of programs on "Alfred Hitchcock Presents". It also had a very long and talky finale. All in all, well made but a huge disappointment....only worth seeing in order to see Klemperer and Banner. Apart from the disappointing story, see it to see the first appearances of John Banner and Werner Klemperer in the same show.
Mary Prescott (Trevor) is an American journalist who has been behind the Iron Curtain interviewing the president of some country. However, she ends up being duped into smuggling...and a staged investigation occurs. Obviously, these officials want to create some sort of international incident. Is there any hope for the lady or is she gulag-bound?
This episode is clearly a sign of the times. Things were very tense with the Soviet-bloc nations and this came just a few years after the Red Scare of the late 40s and early 50s. As such, it really didn't fit into the style of programs on "Alfred Hitchcock Presents". It also had a very long and talky finale. All in all, well made but a huge disappointment....only worth seeing in order to see Klemperer and Banner. Apart from the disappointing story, see it to see the first appearances of John Banner and Werner Klemperer in the same show.
Claire Trevor
DKosty12327 May 2011
Warning: Spoilers
Claire Trevor is central to this story of smuggling, anti-communist underground, and intrigue. Trevor, now beyond the days of co-starring with John Wayne in Stage Coach & Dark Command, holds up well as a woman tricked by continental revolutionist.
A large support cast includes some later television sit com stars but Jacques the French actor stands out in the deception. Trevor for her part does a fine acting job in her reactions to being duped by him.
In the end, she is still talented enough to make the audience believe she can romance Jacques at the end of it all even after he deceived her by turning her into the authorities.
Overall a very good episode.
A large support cast includes some later television sit com stars but Jacques the French actor stands out in the deception. Trevor for her part does a fine acting job in her reactions to being duped by him.
In the end, she is still talented enough to make the audience believe she can romance Jacques at the end of it all even after he deceived her by turning her into the authorities.
Overall a very good episode.
Apart from the story, see it to see the first appearances of John Banner and Werner Klemperer in the same show.
planktonrules18 February 2021
John Banner and Werner Klemperer were both actors who starred in "Hogan's Heroes"....they also were both Jews who fled Nazi Germany and in some ways it must have been satisfying parodying this awful empire in the show. But this wasn't the first time the pair starred in the same show, as both appear in "Safe Conduct", an "Alfred Hitchcock Presents" episode starring Claire Trevor (from such great films as "Stagecoach" and "Key Largo").
Mary Prescott (Trevor) is an American journalist who has been behind the Iron Curtain interviewing the president of some communist country. However, she ends up being duped into smuggling...and a staged investigation occurs. Obviously, these officials want to create some sort of international incident. Is there any hope for the lady or is she gulag-bound?
This episode is clearly a sign of the times. Things were very tense with the Soviet-bloc nations and this came just a few years after the Red Scare of the late 40s and early 50s. As such, it really didn't fit into the style of programs on "Alfred Hitchcock Presents". It also had a very long and talky finale. All in all, well made but a huge disappointment....only worth seeing in order to see Klemperer and Banner.
Mary Prescott (Trevor) is an American journalist who has been behind the Iron Curtain interviewing the president of some communist country. However, she ends up being duped into smuggling...and a staged investigation occurs. Obviously, these officials want to create some sort of international incident. Is there any hope for the lady or is she gulag-bound?
This episode is clearly a sign of the times. Things were very tense with the Soviet-bloc nations and this came just a few years after the Red Scare of the late 40s and early 50s. As such, it really didn't fit into the style of programs on "Alfred Hitchcock Presents". It also had a very long and talky finale. All in all, well made but a huge disappointment....only worth seeing in order to see Klemperer and Banner.
What's He Up To
dougdoepke26 January 2017
An entry that builds suspense based on Cold War themes. Journalist Trevor is returning to the West by train from high-level trip to Soviet bloc nation. On train she meets hunky soccer star Bergerac who convinces her to smuggle costly ring past border guards so he can use it to pay for sister's operation. His charm convinces her. But then, surprise, surprise, he exposes her effort to border guards. Now she's in big trouble. So what the heck's going on since he seemed so sincere.
This is one of few series entries with a political subtext, and understandably so. After all, politics raises its own issues aside from suspense the series traded on. Fortunately, the communist officials are portrayed as recognizably human, an unusual event for the deep Cold War year 1956. That way their humanized presence contributes to the suspense instead of competing.
I love that sequence when Bergerac suddenly asks whether he can buy some of Trevor's underwear. It's dropped in so abruptly, we're as startled as Trevor. Something of a Rock Hudson look-alike, I'm surprised Bergerac didn't score more in Hollywood. Anyway, it's quite a suspenseful episode with a somewhat satisfying upshot.
This is one of few series entries with a political subtext, and understandably so. After all, politics raises its own issues aside from suspense the series traded on. Fortunately, the communist officials are portrayed as recognizably human, an unusual event for the deep Cold War year 1956. That way their humanized presence contributes to the suspense instead of competing.
I love that sequence when Bergerac suddenly asks whether he can buy some of Trevor's underwear. It's dropped in so abruptly, we're as startled as Trevor. Something of a Rock Hudson look-alike, I'm surprised Bergerac didn't score more in Hollywood. Anyway, it's quite a suspenseful episode with a somewhat satisfying upshot.
The Iron Curtain
TheLittleSongbird2 March 2022
"Safe Conduct" is Justus Addis' third episode of 'Alfred Hitchcock Presents'. The previous two, "Salvage" and "A Bullet for Baldwin", being very good, especially the former. Did like the idea for the story, although it was atypical for the series at this point, as none of the previous episodes did this kind of story, and didn't feel like it fitted. Political intrigue is often interesting though, as long as it is not too heavy handed or over-complicated.
This is another winner from 'Alfred Hitchcock Presents' and for Addis. Can totally see why some have said it doesn't feel like it fits within the series (though the series was no stranger to changes of pace, such as "Santa Claus and the Tenth Avenue Kid", and did them very well) and why some may not like it. While "Safe Conduct" is not one of the best Season 1 episodes or one of the 'Alfred Hitchcock Presents' classics, to me it was very good.
For my tastes, the ending could have been tauter in pace and suffers from being too long and too talk-heavy. Some of the talk also being a little more complicated than needed, especially if one is not too familiar with this period.
However, "Safe Conduct" is well made visually, especially the photography which has a lot of style and atmosphere. Great use of the setting too. The main theme in the music, "Funeral March for a Marionette" has never been utilised better in film or television, is still haunting and has always fitted perfectly with the tone of the series. Addis directs with tautness and control.
While the dialogue is not always taut enough and requires attention to understand, it is very intelligently written and provokes a lot of thought. The political elements are not overdone or laid on too thick, even if very of the time. The story also isn't perfect, but it is on the most part very absorbing, intrigues constantly and captures the tense unrest of the period perfectly. The characters carry the story very well.
Claire Trevor is on strong steely form, as is Jacques Bergerac. Werner Klemperer and John Banner give solid supporting contributions. Hitchcock's bookending really grew on me all the time, and the droll dryness continues to entertain.
Overall, very well done. 8/10.
This is another winner from 'Alfred Hitchcock Presents' and for Addis. Can totally see why some have said it doesn't feel like it fits within the series (though the series was no stranger to changes of pace, such as "Santa Claus and the Tenth Avenue Kid", and did them very well) and why some may not like it. While "Safe Conduct" is not one of the best Season 1 episodes or one of the 'Alfred Hitchcock Presents' classics, to me it was very good.
For my tastes, the ending could have been tauter in pace and suffers from being too long and too talk-heavy. Some of the talk also being a little more complicated than needed, especially if one is not too familiar with this period.
However, "Safe Conduct" is well made visually, especially the photography which has a lot of style and atmosphere. Great use of the setting too. The main theme in the music, "Funeral March for a Marionette" has never been utilised better in film or television, is still haunting and has always fitted perfectly with the tone of the series. Addis directs with tautness and control.
While the dialogue is not always taut enough and requires attention to understand, it is very intelligently written and provokes a lot of thought. The political elements are not overdone or laid on too thick, even if very of the time. The story also isn't perfect, but it is on the most part very absorbing, intrigues constantly and captures the tense unrest of the period perfectly. The characters carry the story very well.
Claire Trevor is on strong steely form, as is Jacques Bergerac. Werner Klemperer and John Banner give solid supporting contributions. Hitchcock's bookending really grew on me all the time, and the droll dryness continues to entertain.
Overall, very well done. 8/10.
Safe Conduct
bombersflyup2 March 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Interesting definitely, but accusing someone else doesn't guarantee that you won't be searched at all. That's like no one else being searched because she was found with something... Plus her story warrants consideration, why does he know about the watch.
A Hitchcockian piquant blonde on a train
Cristi_Ciopron11 November 2009
Warning: Spoilers
A Hitchcock take on the theme of the Cold War which opposed the two main military blocks of post—war world, Cold War thriller as well as 'mystery on a train', SAFE CONDUCT's main attraction and interest is a Hitchcockian blonde—Claire Trevor, whom you should now from '50s movies. I find Mrs. Trevor to be a _hottie, and this episode is normative Trevor footage. Hitchcock knew how to film his pretty blonds. Directed by Justus Addiss, played by Claire Trevor, Jacques Bergerac, Werner Klemperer, this espionage story is set in a central European Slavic country under Bolshevism and it details a bit the interplay of an American hot blonde and a Slavic soccer player; there's a piquant scene when the soccer player asks the disconcerted blonde to sell him her underwear. Anyway, the fetishist note is washed away by the sportsman's avowal that he needs the blonde's underwear to offer to his sister. So, less daring than one would have hoped.
The blonde is a respected journalist who has just visited the Bolshevik Slavic country. She meets disturbing people on the train—e.g., a scientist.
It begins with Hitchcock playing pool.
The blonde is a respected journalist who has just visited the Bolshevik Slavic country. She meets disturbing people on the train—e.g., a scientist.
It begins with Hitchcock playing pool.
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