The Vision

Best script I can remember from any of the 'One Step Beyond' episodes. Based on the most believable characters - possibly on real people. Your host John Newland always makes it his business to leave you wondering just how truthful these stories are ("drawn from human record" is his weasel phrase), but here, unusually, we have a full name for each character and a firm date for the paranormal event.

In the trenches of World War I, the night sky is suddenly lit-up by something like a flare, but which is soon seen to be much more, awakening all manner of dreamlike sensations, causing four French soldiers to drop their rifles and walk back to their base, as though in a trance.

The case against them seems irrefutable (we can't encourage cowardice and desertion in the field), and the sentence is death by shooting. Then doubts are raised by their defence lawyer, whose emotions are expressed most vividly by actor Bruce Gordon, arguing the case with his superiors. And John Newland reveals more unexpected findings - which, of course, we mustn't.

But perhaps we can offer one clue. They didn't run from the field. They just walked...

In 1915, four French soldiers are on a routine World War I mission, when they are mesmerized by "The Vision" of a blinding light. The men - Pernell Roberts (as Sergeant Vy), Peter Miles (as Private Marsee), H.M. Wynant (as Private Lacoste), and Jerry Oddo (as Private Mollene) - appear to enter a discombobulated state, and desert their posts. Later, they tell disbelieving superior officers they were responding to a vision; but, the four are quickly charged with "cowardice in the face of the enemy."

Things do not look good for the accused quartet. Their reluctantly assigned defense attorney Bruce Gordon (as Captain Tremaine) states, "I don't like to defend cowards," and prosecutor Richard Devon (as Major Lamarr) is gun-ho. The accused soldiers appear destined for execution, but fate may not be finished with their lives... A good story, albeit choppy, with fine performances from the soldiers. Note how naturally a coin drop is handled by Mr. Roberts. Recommended for the soldiers' characterizations.

****** The Vision (3/24/59) John Newland ~ Pernell Roberts, Peter Miles, H.M. Wynant

Set during World War I in 1915, this episode sees four French soldiers witnessing a mysterious heavenly light in the sky, which inspires them to cease fighting, and walk away from the battlefield. This later leads to their arrests, as they are put on trial for desertion and cowardice in the face of the enemy. They persist in their story in spite of government disbelief, and their earnestness of a peaceful feeling of serenity wins over their lawyer, though it will take independent verification of another eyewitness to clear them before their grim sentence would be carried out... Unusual episode works fine, though comparisons with far superior film "Paths Of Glory" are inevitable.

What an amazing story told here, a story that grabbed my spirit, my attention from beginning to the end. It is one of the most riveting episode so far, no matter the cheap production design. It takes place during WW1, somewhere in France, on the front line. Of course it can be seen as a pacifist message thru this amazing and eerie story. This would have pleased to Erich Maria Remarque, the writer of ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT. Bruce Gordon as the prosecutor officer is also excellent here, just before he became Frank Nitti in THE UNTOUCHABLES tv show. I doubt this story is inspired from actual events. But who cares? For me, only the story counts, no matter the source.

Whilst fighting in the first world war, a group of French soldiers, stop, put down their arms, and head towards a mysterious, bright, celestial light that shone in the sky. For stopping battle, the men face a court martial.

I was somewhat surprised to see another European set, wartime episode, credit to the people behind this show, they certainly understood thr benefits of variety.

A very nice story, and quite thought provoking. Once again I really like the ambiguity of it, the fact that we get no answers, just bits and bobs, something celestial or a more natural phenomenon?

I wish they'd gone a bit further with the Court Marital scene, and hammered it home a bit more, in those days it would have been a brutal affair.

Definitely makes you think of Paths of Glory.

7/10.