"Safe Conduct" is Justus Addis' third episode of 'Alfred Hitchcock Presents'. The previous two, "Salvage" and "A Bullet for Baldwin", being very good, especially the former. Did like the idea for the story, although it was atypical for the series at this point, as none of the previous episodes did this kind of story, and didn't feel like it fitted. Political intrigue is often interesting though, as long as it is not too heavy handed or over-complicated.
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.
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.