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''Kessler'' is a television series produced by the

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in 1981, starring

Clifford Rose John Clifford Rose (24 October 1929 – 6 November 2021) was a British actor. Life and career Rose was born in Herefordshire. He was educated at the King's School, Worcester, and King's College London, before appearing in rep and began his ass ...

in the title role. The six-part serial is a sequel to the

Second World War World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposin ...

drama series '' Secret Army'', set in contemporary times.

Plot

The story begins when a Belgian journalist, Hugo van Eyck (

Jerome Willis Jerome Barry Willis (23 October 1928 – 11 January 2014) was a prominent British stage and screen actor with more than 100 screen credits to his name. Willis had a leading role in the ITV drama series ''The Sandbaggers'' as Matthew Peele. He ...

), broadcasts a documentary about Nazi war criminals, and investigates the whereabouts of the former Chief of

Gestapo The (), abbreviated Gestapo (; ), was the official secret police of Nazi Germany and in German-occupied Europe. The force was created by Hermann Göring in 1933 by combining the various political police agencies of Prussia into one organi ...

and SS of Belgium, ''

Sturmbannführer __NOTOC__ ''Sturmbannführer'' (; ) was a Nazi Party paramilitary rank equivalent to major that was used in several Nazi organizations, such as the SA, SS, and the NSFK. The rank originated from German shock troop units of the First World War ...

'' Ludwig Kessler (

) with the help of

West German West Germany is the colloquial term used to indicate the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG; german: Bundesrepublik Deutschland , BRD) between its formation on 23 May 1949 and the German reunification through the accession of East Germany on 3 O ...

intelligence officer Richard Bauer (

Alan Dobie Alan Russell Dobie (born 2 June 1932) is an English stage, television and film actor and a former member of the Royal Shakespeare Company. Early life and career Dobie was born in Wombwell, West Riding of Yorkshire, England, to George Russ ...

). Kessler has changed his name to Manfred Dorf and is now a rich industrialist, with factories manufacturing plastics, explosives, and pharmaceutical products. His wartime Belgian mistress Madeleine Duclos ( Hazel McBride) is deceased, but after the War the couple married and had a daughter, Ingrid ( Alison Glennie). Kessler is part of an organisation called the ''

Kameradenwerk Odesa (also spelled Odessa) is the third most populous city and municipality in Ukraine and a major seaport and transport hub located in the south-west of the country, on the northwestern shore of the Black Sea. The city is also the administrativ ...

'', made up of Nazis on the run, trying to evade trial for their war crimes, led by Kessler’s close friend Colonel Hans Ruckert (

Ralph Michael Ralph Michael (26 September 1907 – 9 November 1994) was an English actor. He was born as Ralph Champion Shotter in London. His film appearances included ''Dead of Night'', '' A Night to Remember'', ''Children of the Damned'', ''Grand Prix'' ...

), a character based on

Luftwaffe The ''Luftwaffe'' () was the aerial-warfare branch of the German ''Wehrmacht'' before and during World War II. Germany's military air arms during World War I, the ''Luftstreitkräfte'' of the Imperial Army and the '' Marine-Fliegerabtei ...

ace Colonel Hans Rudel. Ingrid is sleeping with her father's manservant, Franz Hoss ( Nicholas Young), and they are part of a group of young

Neo-Nazis Neo-Nazism comprises the post–World War II militant, social, and political movements that seek to revive and reinstate Nazi ideology. Neo-Nazis employ their ideology to promote hatred and racial supremacy (often white supremacy), attack ...

who dream of leading Germany back to Nazism. Van Eyck invites three other ''Secret Army'' characters to his studios: Albert Foiret (

Bernard Hepton Francis Bernard Heptonstall (19 October 1925 – 27 July 2018) better known by the stage name Bernard Hepton, was an English theatre director and actor. Best known for his stage work and television roles in teleplays and series, he also appeare ...

), Monique Durnford (née Duchamps), ( Angela Richards) and Natalie Chantrens (

Juliet Hammond-Hill Juliet Hammond-Hill (born 13 November 1953) is an English actress, best known for her role in the television series '' Secret Army'' (1977–1979). She is also known as Juliet Hammond. Early life Hammond-Hill was born in St Pancras, London, the ...

). Some of the serial's first scenes take place outside the Restaurant Candide in the

Grand-Place The Grand-Place (French, ; "Grand Square"; also used in English) or Grote Markt (Dutch, ; "Big Market") is the central square of Brussels, Belgium. It is surrounded by opulent Baroque guildhalls of the former Guilds of Brussels and two larger ...

Brussels Brussels (french: Bruxelles or ; nl, Brussel ), officially the Brussels-Capital Region (All text and all but one graphic show the English name as Brussels-Capital Region.) (french: link=no, Région de Bruxelles-Capitale; nl, link=no, Bruss ...

. The trio reminisce about their wartime activities running the resistance organisation Lifeline. Monique and Natalie are certain that Dorf is Kessler, but Albert claims to be less sure. Van Eyck and Bauer meet a young

Israeli Israeli may refer to: * Something of, from, or related to the State of Israel * Israelis, citizens or permanent residents of the State of Israel * Modern Hebrew, a language * ''Israeli'' (newspaper), published from 2006 to 2008 * Guni Israeli ...

woman soldier called Mical Rak (

Nitza Saul Nitza Saul ( he, ניצה שאול; born June 25, 1950, sometimes credited as Nitza Shaul) is an Israeli actress known for her appearances on British television during the 1980s. In the 1970s Saul starred in several Israeli films, including ''Gi ...

). Mical's mother's family was sent to Dachau to be killed, on Kessler's orders. Mical breaks into the grounds of Kessler's home to see him, but is discovered and forced to flee. Her companion Ruth Lieberman (

Ishia Bennison Ishia Bennison is a British actress, best known for her television appearances, although she is also a veteran stage actress. Bennison is originally from Hull in Yorkshire. Career One of her earliest roles was playing a nurse in the 1980 Charl ...

) is murdered by the Kameradenwerk, and Van Eyck becomes their next victim. Mical is kidnapped from outside Kessler's London hotel and beaten by Franz, before being thrown into the

River Thames The River Thames ( ), known alternatively in parts as the The Isis, River Isis, is a river that flows through southern England including London. At , it is the longest river entirely in England and the Longest rivers of the United Kingdom, se ...

. However, she survives and is rescued. Mical and Bauer team up to get Kessler. Bauer's agents break into Kessler's home and find a photo album, which proves he is Kessler. When it is discovered, Kessler, Ruckert, Franz, and Ingrid travel to Paraguay, and Bauer and Mical set off in pursuit. After a brief detour in

Buenos Aires Buenos Aires ( or ; ), officially the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires ( es, link=no, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires), is the capital and primate city of Argentina. The city is located on the western shore of the Río de la Plata, on South ...

, the pair arrive in Ascunsion. Kessler and Ruckert stay with a Nazi-sympathizing

Paraguayan Paraguay (; ), officially the Republic of Paraguay ( es, República del Paraguay, links=no; gn, Tavakuairetã Paraguái, links=si), is a landlocked country in South America. It is bordered by Argentina to the south and southwest, Brazil to th ...

aristocrat, Don Julian Yqueras (played by

Guy Rolfe Guy Rolfe (born Edwin Arthur Rolfe, 27 December 1911 – 19 October 2003) was a British actor. Career Rolfe was born in Kilburn, London. Before turning to acting at the age of 24 he was a professional boxer and racing driver, making his stage ...

, who previously appeared in the ''Secret Army'' episode, "Russian Roulette" as Oberst von Elmendorf). Yqueras is partly based on the former

President of Argentina The president of Argentina ( es, Presidente de Argentina), officially known as the president of the Argentine Nation ( es, Presidente de la Nación Argentina), is both head of state and head of government of Argentina. Under Constitution of Ar ...

Juan Peron, a Nazi sympathizer who welcomed war criminals into his country and prevented their extradition, and partly on Paraguayan President

Alfredo Stroessner Alfredo Stroessner Matiauda (; 3 November 1912 – 16 August 2006) was a Paraguayan army officer and politician who served as President of Paraguay from 15 August 1954 to 3 February 1989. Stroessner led a coup d'état on 4 May 1954 with t ...

- still in power in 1981 - who also allowed his country to become a safe haven for Nazi war criminals. Mical and Bauer stay with pigeon-fancier Jose Garriga (

John Moreno John Moreno a.k.a. Juan Moreno (born 4 March 1939) is a British actor, probably best known for his role as Luigi Ferrara in the 1981 James Bond feature film '' For Your Eyes Only''. His other film credits include appearances in ''Les Misérabl ...

), who quickly charms them and wins their friendship. Ingrid and Franz meet fellow Nazis and discuss a plan to convince Kessler to take over their group and to bring with him a fund of 48 billion

Deutschmark The Deutsche Mark (; English: ''German mark''), abbreviated "DM" or "D-Mark" (), was the official currency of West Germany from 1948 until 1990 and later the unified Germany from 1990 until the adoption of the euro in 2002. In English, it was ...

s, to be used to support the exiled Nazis. Kessler and Ruckert also meet their comrades, under the command of Martin Bormann, who does not appear on screen, apart from one arm. At the same meeting, Kessler is repulsed to be introduced to

Josef Mengele , allegiance = , branch = Schutzstaffel , serviceyears = 1938–1945 , rank = '' SS''-'' Hauptsturmführer'' (Captain) , servicenumber = , battles = , unit = , awards = , commands = , ...

(

Oscar Quitak Oscar Morris Quitak (born 10 March 1926) is a British stage, film and television actor. Quitak's stage work includes roles at the Old Vic and the National Theatre; as well as the original West End and Broadway productions of the musical '' Pi ...

Auschwitz Auschwitz concentration camp ( (); also or ) was a complex of over 40 concentration and extermination camps operated by Nazi Germany in occupied Poland (in a portion annexed into Germany in 1939) during World War II and the Holocaust. It con ...

's "Angel of Death". (In real life, Bormann had died in 1945, but this was not revealed until 1998. Similarly, Mengele had died in 1979, but this did not come to light until 1985.) Kessler realizes that the Kameradenwerk are just too old and too tired to lead Germany back to Nazism. They care much about their own safety, little about building a new Nazi regime in Germany. After much soul-searching, Kessler decides to turn his back on them and turns instead to the young Nazis, agreeing to give them the Nazi fortune. Deciding that Mical has become too much of a threat, Ruckert orders his followers to kill her. Ingrid and Franz go after her for the same reason. After killing Garriga, the assassins mistake Ingrid for Mical and shoot her and Franz dead, thereby killing the only people who could have resurrected Nazism. Mical and Bauer find their bodies and proceed to blow up the Nazi convoys, but Ruckert escapes. Mical and Bauer corner Kessler. After a discussion about the

Holocaust The Holocaust, also known as the Shoah, was the genocide of European Jews during World War II. Between 1941 and 1945, Nazi Germany and its collaborators systematically murdered some six million Jews across German-occupied Europe; a ...

and

Communism Communism (from Latin la, communis, lit=common, universal, label=none) is a far-left sociopolitical, philosophical, and economic ideology and current within the socialist movement whose goal is the establishment of a communist society, a s ...

, Bauer informs him of Ingrid's death. Mical tries to execute Kessler by shooting him in the back of the head but finds that she cannot do it. Mical and Bauer leave him alone, Bauer deliberately leaving his machine gun behind. Realizing that his dream of a new Nazi dawn is over, and having lost the one thing (their daughter Ingrid) that he had left of Madeleine, Kessler shoots himself in the mouth using Bauer's machine gun. Mical and Bauer return to find Kessler dead and draped in the Nazi Flag. Mical and Bauer finally leave knowing that the Nazis will never now get their hands on the billions and will never be able to return to power.

Cast

* Ludwig Kessler -

* Richard Bauer -

* Mical Rak -

* Ingrid Dorf - Alison Glennie * Franz Hoss - Nicholas Young * Colonel Hans Ruckert -

* Albert Foiret -

* Monique Durnford - Angela Richards * Natalie Chantrens -

* Don Julian Yqueras -

* Hugo van Eyck -

* Jose Garriga -

* Karl Leider - Robert Morris * Gidney -

Jeremy Wilkin David Jeremy Wilkin (6 June 1930 – 19 December 2017) was an English actor, best known for his contributions to the television productions of Gerry Anderson. Born in Byfleet, Surrey, Wilkin emigrated to Toronto, Ontario, Canada after completi ...

* Deakin -

Harold Innocent Harold Sidney Innocent (18 April 1933 – 12 September 1993) was an English actor who appeared in many film and television roles. After attending Broad Street Secondary Modern School in Coventry, Innocent worked for a short time as an office c ...

* Maurer -

Royston Tickner Royston A. Tickner (8 September 1922 – 7 July 1997) was a British actor. Biography Born Roy A. Tickner in Leicester, a tailor's son, he trained as an actor at Scarborough repertory theatre. He served in the Royal Navy in World War II; howe ...

* Graun -

John Dearth John Dearth (16 October 1920 – 17 March 1984) was a British actor, known for playing countless roles in nearly 30 episodes of ITV series ''The Adventures of Robin Hood''. He is also remembered for playing two villains in science fiction seri ...

* Ruth Lieberman -

Heinrich Himmler Heinrich Luitpold Himmler (; 7 October 1900 – 23 May 1945) was of the (Protection Squadron; SS), and a leading member of the Nazi Party of Germany. Himmler was one of the most powerful men in Nazi Germany and a main architect of th ...

Robert Eddison Robert Leadam Eddison, OBE (10 June 1908 – 14 December 1991) was an English actor, who despite his lengthy career as a classical stage actor, is probably most widely remembered in the role of the Grail Knight in '' Indiana Jones and the Last ...

* Muller -

Gareth Milne Sir Gareth (; Old French: ''Guerehet'', ''Guerrehet'') is a Knight of the Round Table in Arthurian legend. He is the youngest son of King Lot and Queen Morgause, King Arthur's half-sister, thus making him Arthur's nephew, as well as brother ...

Many former ''Secret Army'' production personnel were involved with ''Kessler'', including producer

Gerard Glaister John Leslie Glaister DFC (21 December 1915 – 5 February 2005), known as Gerard or Gerrard Glaister, was a British television producer and director best known for his work with the BBC. Amongst his most notable successes as a producer were '' ...

, writer

John Brason John Brason is a British script writer and script editor, best known for the series made in collaboration with television producer Gerard Glaister, ''Colditz'' and '' Secret Army'', both set during World War II. Brason was known for his anti-com ...

and directors

Michael E. Briant Michael Edwin Briant (born 14 February 1942) is a retired English television director and author, best known for his work as a director for BBC television drama in the 1970s and 1980s. Career At the age of 21 Briant joined the BBC as an assistan ...

and

Tristan de Vere Cole Tristan John de Vere Cole (born 16 March 1935) is an English television director, now retired. In his first career, he was a Royal Navy Officer for seven years. Life Cole is believed to be the last-surviving illegitimate son of the painter August ...

Home media

''Kessler'' was released on

DVD The DVD (common abbreviation for Digital Video Disc or Digital Versatile Disc) is a digital optical disc data storage format. It was invented and developed in 1995 and first released on November 1, 1996, in Japan. The medium can store any kind ...

(Region 2, UK) by DD Home Entertainment, who had previously released the complete series of ''Secret Army'' as broadcast.

References

External links

* * {{Youtube, xWfKCbgPrVA, Kessler Uncovered, interviews and discussion of the series 1981 British television series debuts 1981 British television series endings BBC television dramas British television spin-offs Belgium in fiction Paraguay in fiction World War II television drama series Films about the Belgian Resistance Television shows set in Belgium Television shows set in Paraguay Television shows set in Germany Television shows set in London English-language television shows Cultural depictions of Heinrich Himmler Cultural depictions of Josef Mengele