OFF TO SEE THE WIZARD: ALEXANDER THE GREAT (TV)
Summary
One in this anthology series of family-friendly dramas introduced by Oz-themed animated segments. This episode presents a television movie featuring a historical dramatization of Alexander of Macedonia’s actions at the Battle of Issus.
In Persia circa 330 BC, during the reign of Darius I, Alexander of Macedonia rides alongside his companions and comes across a tree with dead bodies hanging from it. He orders that the bodies be cut down and finds that one of them, Aretus, is still alive. He informs them that the Persians captured Cleander, one of Alexander’s officers; Aretus then dies in Alexander’s arms. Alexander and his party are ambushed by a troop of Persian bowmen who have Cleander captive, hoping to lure Alexander into the mountains to trap him. Alexander kills several Persian soldiers and manages to reach Cleander, weakened but still alive. More Persian soldiers emerge from over a hill and attack, forcing Alexander’s party to fend them off. Meanwhile, Alexander’s generals debate over his whereabouts and argue amongst themselves. More men are assigned to search for Alexander as the Persians gather their army for a massive assault. A captured Persian officer confirms this, and informs them that the army is led by the fearsome Persian general Memnon. One of the Greek officers, Karonos, recommends that they withdraw their forces from the area and take up a more defensible position.
Memnon learns that Alexander fell into their trap and is likely dead, but will believe it only when he has Alexander’s head. Bucephalus, Alexander’s horse, returns to the Greek camp on his own, and the Greek generals believe that Alexander is dead. Alexander’s lover, Ada, attempts to commit suicide but is prevented from doing so by Antigonus, Alexander’s general and old friend. Both grieve over his apparent death. The other generals wish to appoint Antigonus as commander of the army in Alexander’s absence, but he refuses, believing that someone younger would be better suited, such as Karonos. Karonos vows to build fortresses to help maintain the Greek land and will cease any eastward expansion into Persia. He orders that the army march west to return to Greece, but the general Aristander insists on staying behind to find Alexander. When Karonos refuses his request and insults him, the two prepare for a swordfight but are interrupted when Alexander returns, inciting joyous celebration throughout the camp. Karonos apologizes for his actions, but Alexander agrees with his reasoning and issues the same order he did to withdraw and consolidate their position.
Antigonus chides Alexander for his reckless behavior and questions him about his orders, but Alexander wishes to take his bath and have a party to celebrate his return and their departure, whereupon he will discuss his military plans. A mysterious figure infiltrates the prisoner tent that night and orders a Persian prisoner to disguise himself as a Greek soldier in order to kill Alexander. That night after the party Alexander calls a meeting with his generals and announces that instead of withdrawing they will advance towards the enemy, hoping to catch Memnon’s camp unprepared. Karonos questions the wisdom of Alexander’s orders, believing that they have conquered enough territory to maintain Greek sovereignty, but Alexander believes that Darius must be destroyed to ensure Greece’s safety, and is unwilling to compromise, hoping to end the long Greek conflict with Persia once and for all. Antigonus and Cleander speak to Alexander in private and inquire about his lack of a battle plan for confronting Memnon. He explains that he suspects there is a Persian spy in his midst reporting on his maneuvers. He shares his plans only with Cleander and Antigonus in the event that he should be killed.
The prisoner sneaks into the Greek camp and tries to shoot Alexander with an arrow, but is blocked by Alexander’s wineskin. Karonos swiftly kills him; Karonos was the one who issued orders to him in the first place. He reports to Alexander, claiming that Memnon was an escaped Persian prisoner of war. During the march eastward, Karonos conspires with another general, Attalos, to get Alexander killed in order to complete a peace agreement with the Persians. To do so, Karonos plans to sow mistrust and suspicion among Alexander’s inner circle. Antigonus reports that fatigue from the hard march has set in among the men, and Alexander reveals that he intends to go to battle with Memnon the following day, choosing that moment to reveal his battle plan to Antigonus. Antigonus notes that the march could have dire consequences and result in massive loss of life, but Alexander argues with him and sends him to the rear of the army to maintain the supply wagons with Attalos. Attalos attempts to bring Antigonus in on the conspiracy against Alexander, and he agrees. Karonos reveals that he plans to have one of them murder Alexander with a Persian dagger, making it look as though he was killed in battle, thus transferring leadership of the army to Karonos and allowing him to withdraw the troops. Antigonus double-crosses them and attempts to kill them, and a struggle ensues. Eventually Karonos stabs Antigonus, leaving him to die in the desert as Antigonus attempts to write out the name of his attacker in the sand.
Soon Memnon learns of the Greek’s unexpected presence and hastily prepares for battle. Alexander positions his troops, hoping to lure Memnon’s forces out before attacking them from the rear flank. He positions his generals and gives them their orders. Karonos and Attilus attempt to re-think their plan and devise a way to kill Alexander. The battle begins and the Greeks attempt to repulse the Persian charges. During the battle, Alexander learns that Antigonus has been murdered by Karonos. Enraged, Alexander leaps into the melee and fights his way through, looking for Karonos. They find each other and engage in a swordfight; Alexander manages to stab and kill him. The Greeks force Memnon to call for a withdrawal by employing their heavy siege weaponry against him. After the battle Alexander holds a funeral for Antigonus. Commercials deleted.
(This program contains some audiovisual imperfections; it represents the best quality available at this time.)
Details
- NETWORK: ABC
- DATE: January 26, 1968 7:30 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 0:51:44
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: B:83294
- GENRE: Drama
- SUBJECT HEADING: Drama
- SERIES RUN: ABC - TV series, 1967-1968
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Alexander McLeery … Producer
- Phil Karlson … Director
- William Yates … Writer
- Robert Pirosh … Writer, Created by
- Leonard Rosenman … Music by
- William Shatner … Cast, Alexander
- Adam West … Cast, Cleander
- John Doucette … Cast, Kleitos
- John Cassavetes … Cast, Karonos
- Joseph Cotten … Cast, Antigonus
- Robert Fortier … Cast, Aristander
- Peter Hansen … Cast, Tauron
- Simon Oakland … Cast, Attalos
- Ziva Rodann … Cast, Ada
- Jeff Palmer … Cast, Young Greek Soldier
- Jonathan Kidd … Cast, Persian Prisoner
- Mike Bradford … Cast, The Four Guardsmen
- Clay Tanner … Cast, The Four Guardsmen
- Bill Arven … Cast, The Four Guardsmen
- Jim Cione … Cast, The Four Guardsmen
- Cliff Osmond … Cast, Memnon