Part documentary and part movie, this joint BBC/History Channel Mini-Series examines "Operation Foxley", a real SOE (Special Operations Executive) plot to kill Adolph Hitler in World War II that was never carried out. This 2 part mini-series uses actors and narration, mixed with archival footage, to tell the story of the development of the plan in November of 1944. It also utilizes a modern panel of experts who hash over the entire plan, dissecting and discussing the whys and wherefores and ultimately come to their own personal decisions as to whether or not the plan should have been carried out, and why. Additionally the program draws on some personal recollections of people who were alive at the time, both British and German. The film also touches on the cross-agency conflicts between the SOE and the SIS (Secret Intelligence Service - aka MI6). The entire story is told from the point of view of "LB/X", the code name for the British Staff Officer responsible for developing "Foxley".
The production is up to the usual BBC standards with accurate costuming and sets for the recreation of past events. For Americans the British documentary style can be occasionally jarring as the production switches from the modern panel of experts to the recreations and back again. Once you get used to it, though, the transitions are easy to take.
If you're looking for spies and war-time shootouts this is not the program for you. If you're interested in the historical facts, and educated "what-ifs", then this is for you and will keep your interest for the approximately 90 minute running time.
The production is up to the usual BBC standards with accurate costuming and sets for the recreation of past events. For Americans the British documentary style can be occasionally jarring as the production switches from the modern panel of experts to the recreations and back again. Once you get used to it, though, the transitions are easy to take.
If you're looking for spies and war-time shootouts this is not the program for you. If you're interested in the historical facts, and educated "what-ifs", then this is for you and will keep your interest for the approximately 90 minute running time.