An American journalist meets a soccer star while traveling behind the Iron Curtain, but then is arrested as a suspected smuggler.An American journalist meets a soccer star while traveling behind the Iron Curtain, but then is arrested as a suspected smuggler.An American journalist meets a soccer star while traveling behind the Iron Curtain, but then is arrested as a suspected smuggler.
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Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaWerner Klemperer and John Banner, European Jews from Germany and Austria, respectively, would later appear together in Hogan's Heroes (1965). Werner was the son of acclaimed composer-conductor Otto Klemperer and came from Köln, Germany. Johann Banner came from Vienna, Austria.
- GoofsAll of the Europeans say "soccer", whereas in reality Europeans call the sport "football".
- Quotes
[first lines]
[Hitchcock is standing by a pool table and wearing an eye-patch]
Himself - Host: Oh, good evening. You know, uh, this came as somewhat of a surprise to me. I was under the impression that all pool tables were kidney-shaped. I guess that's only true in Hollywood. Our story tonight will be in a somewhat different vein. It is a tale of mystery and intrigue on a transcontinental express. It is called... The title seems to have slipped my mind. It's, um...
[man enters with a pool cue and taps the end of it, significantly]
Man with Pool Cue: You've, uh, dropped your cue.
[hands Hitchcock the cue and walks off. Hitchcock unscrews the end of cue, takes out a piece of paper and reads it]
Himself - Host: The title of tonight's play is "Safe Conduct."
[looks off stage in the direction of where the man with pool cue walked off]
Himself - Host: Thank you very much.
- SoundtracksFuneral March of a Marionette
Written by Charles Gounod
This is another winner from 'Alfred Hitchcock Presents' and for Addis. Can totally see why some have said it doesn't feel like it fits within the series (though the series was no stranger to changes of pace, such as "Santa Claus and the Tenth Avenue Kid", and did them very well) and why some may not like it. While "Safe Conduct" is not one of the best Season 1 episodes or one of the 'Alfred Hitchcock Presents' classics, to me it was very good.
For my tastes, the ending could have been tauter in pace and suffers from being too long and too talk-heavy. Some of the talk also being a little more complicated than needed, especially if one is not too familiar with this period.
However, "Safe Conduct" is well made visually, especially the photography which has a lot of style and atmosphere. Great use of the setting too. The main theme in the music, "Funeral March for a Marionette" has never been utilised better in film or television, is still haunting and has always fitted perfectly with the tone of the series. Addis directs with tautness and control.
While the dialogue is not always taut enough and requires attention to understand, it is very intelligently written and provokes a lot of thought. The political elements are not overdone or laid on too thick, even if very of the time. The story also isn't perfect, but it is on the most part very absorbing, intrigues constantly and captures the tense unrest of the period perfectly. The characters carry the story very well.
Claire Trevor is on strong steely form, as is Jacques Bergerac. Werner Klemperer and John Banner give solid supporting contributions. Hitchcock's bookending really grew on me all the time, and the droll dryness continues to entertain.
Overall, very well done. 8/10.
- TheLittleSongbird
- Mar 2, 2022
Details
- Runtime30 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 1.33 : 1