Best script I can remember from any of the 'One Step Beyond' episodes. Based on the most believable characters - possibly on real people. Your host John Newland always makes it his business to leave you wondering just how truthful these stories are ("drawn from human record" is his weasel phrase), but here, unusually, we have a full name for each character and a firm date for the paranormal event.
In the trenches of World War I, the night sky is suddenly lit-up by something like a flare, but which is soon seen to be much more, awakening all manner of dreamlike sensations, causing four French soldiers to drop their rifles and walk back to their base, as though in a trance.
The case against them seems irrefutable (we can't encourage cowardice and desertion in the field), and the sentence is death by shooting. Then doubts are raised by their defence lawyer, whose emotions are expressed most vividly by actor Bruce Gordon, arguing the case with his superiors. And John Newland reveals more unexpected findings - which, of course, we mustn't.
But perhaps we can offer one clue. They didn't run from the field. They just walked...
In the trenches of World War I, the night sky is suddenly lit-up by something like a flare, but which is soon seen to be much more, awakening all manner of dreamlike sensations, causing four French soldiers to drop their rifles and walk back to their base, as though in a trance.
The case against them seems irrefutable (we can't encourage cowardice and desertion in the field), and the sentence is death by shooting. Then doubts are raised by their defence lawyer, whose emotions are expressed most vividly by actor Bruce Gordon, arguing the case with his superiors. And John Newland reveals more unexpected findings - which, of course, we mustn't.
But perhaps we can offer one clue. They didn't run from the field. They just walked...