''Crime Passionel'' is a 1959 Australian television play. It was based on a play by

Jean-Paul Sartre Jean-Paul Charles Aymard Sartre (, ; ; 21 June 1905 – 15 April 1980) was a French philosopher, playwright, novelist, screenwriter, political activist, biographer, and literary criticism, literary critic, considered a leading figure in 20th ...

and was directed by

Royston Morley John Royston Morley (25 August 1912 – 14 October 1991), was a British television producer, director and writer. He was among the earliest television producers, and also trained new producers for the BBC and in Australia. Life and career Morley ...

. The play had been broadcast that year by the BBC. It was broadcast live in Sydney on 11 November 1959. A recording was made of this and shown in Brisbane on 17 November 1959 and Melbourne on 10 February 1960. It went for 90 minutes. Australian TV drama was relatively rare at the time.

Plot

At the end of World War Two, in the mythical European country of Illythia, the German armies are retreating from the Russians. Hugo, a young intellectual who wants to be revolutionary hero, sets about assassinating Hoederer, leader of the local communist party. Hugo is Hoederer's secretary. Hugo has a wife Jessica, and a fellow party member, Olga.

Cast

* Brian James as Hoederer *William Job as Hugo *Jacqueline Kott as Olga * John Fegan as Charles *Tony Arpino as Franz *Peter Williams as Louis * James Elliott as Ivan *Rosemary Webster as Hugo's wife *

Don Crosby George Wallace Donald Crosby, Order of Australia, OAM (29 October 1924 – 3 December 1985) was an Australians, Australian actor of radio, stage, television and film, radio producer, stage manager, airman and trade unionist. Early life The fift ...

as Georges *Julian Flett as Prince Paul * Nat Levison as Slick *Richard Parry as Karsky *Bill Waters as Leon

Production

Brian James was flown in from Melbourne to play the lead.

Reception

The ''Sydney Morning Herald'' TV reviewer wrote that the play was "a little slow in movement, because of the sheer weight of its talk... utwas given an absorbing live performance... the cast was uncommonly strong."

References

External links