MASTERPIECE THEATRE: A FOREIGN FIELD (TV)
Summary
One in this ongoing series of dramas presented under the umbrella of "Masterpiece Theatre." This made-for-television film, introduced by Russell Baker, tells the story of several World War II veterans who meet when they visit Normandy on the fiftieth anniversary of D-Day. The program begins as Cyril and his near-silent friend Amos, both English, arrive in France by boat, while Waldo, an American, travels with his impatient daughter Beverly and her husband Ralph. They all arrive at the same hotel and Waldo observes Amos' odd behavior in the dining room, remarking that he belongs in a "funny farm." Beverly orders Ralph to accompany Waldo into the village as he searches for "her," while at the same time Cyril leaves Amos behind in the hotel room as he heads out to find "Angel." Ralph catches up with Waldo, who is annoyed by the presence of "that Limey bum," Cyril, who is headed in the same direction. Eventually they compare photographs and realize that they are searching for the same person, while back at the hotel Amos encounters a lonely woman, Lisa, who struggles to communicate with him.
Cyril, Ralph and Waldo end up heading to a bar and return to the hotel heavily intoxicated, and Lisa spend the evening with Amos when he locks himself out of his room. In the morning, Beverly orders a hungover Ralph to pursue Waldo, and Cyril is outraged to find that Waldo "had a thing" with Angel during the war, feeling that he took advantage of her. Amos and Beverly intervene as the two aging veterans begin to fight, but when they arrive at Angel's home, they realize that she is really an aged prostitute named Angelique who likely "romanced" many young soldiers during the war. Waldo has no choice but to spend the day with her, and the group heads first to a restaurant and then out to another home, where Angelique angrily confronts another woman over a past disagreement. Cyril, Amos and Lisa escape the awkward situation and Amos repeatedly asks to visit "Briggsy." Lisa explains that her brother was present at D-Day, and Cyril talks about his sense of survivor's guilt. He then returns to Angelique, deciding that he and Waldo still both owe her a "good day out" despite the misunderstanding, and the whole group heads for the hotel restaurant. Beverly is embarrassed to be seen with the likes of Amos and Angelique, though Ralph tells her to "go with the flow."
The group discusses their favorite war-era songs, and the entire restaurant is charmed when Angelique sings "La vie en rose," accompanied by Amos on harmonica. Amos then collapses, however, and is taken to the hospital for overnight observation. Angelique stays with Lisa in her hotel room and admits that she does not want to return to her brothel, and Lisa reveals that she is not an American and married her husband for self-preservation during the war, though states that she grew to love him. Ralph chides Beverly for her cold attitude about Amos' "scene" in the restaurant, and she seems to show contrition when she later rejoins the group. Cyril sits by the beach at night and tells the others about his sense of guilt about his and Amos' good friend Briggs, who died a painful death on D-Day. He shows them Amos' medal of bravery and explains that Amos saved his life before suffering severe brain damage from a mortar, adding that he has cared for him ever since in gratitude.
The next day, Waldo visits the grave of his own deceased friend and the three women bond on a shopping trip, after which Beverly considers rekindling her romance with Ralph at Lisa's urging. Cyril and Amos then head for the veterans' cemetery, and Lisa asks them to accompany her to her brother's grave. She finally reveals that her brother was in fact German, as is she, acknowledging that they may now want to sever ties with her. However, Cyril observes that her brother died on the same day as did their friend, and they salute him as a fellow fallen soldier rather than as an enemy before finally pay their respects to Briggs. Commercials deleted.
Details
- NETWORK: PBS WGBH Boston, MA
- DATE: May 22, 1994 9:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 1:26:43
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: B:76934
- GENRE: Drama, historical
- SUBJECT HEADING: Drama, historical; Comedy; WWII
- SERIES RUN: PBS - TV series, 1971-
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Richard Broke … Executive Producer
- Rebecca Eaton … Executive Producer
- Martyn Auty … Producer
- Steve Lanning … Producer
- Charles Sturridge … Director
- Roy Clarke … Writer
- Geoffrey Burgon … Music by
- Russell Baker … Host
- Alec Guinness … Cast, Amos
- Lauren Bacall … Cast, Lisa
- Geraldine Chaplin … Cast, Beverley
- Edward Herrmann … Cast, Ralph
- Leo McKern … Cast, Cyril
- Jeanne Moreau … Cast, Angelique
- John Randolph … Cast, Waldo
- Dorothy Grumbar … Cast, Matron
- Michelle Gheleyns-Hue … Cast, Shopkeeper
- Cateline Alteirac … Cast, Sales Assistant