Defection! The Case of Colonel Petrov
| "Defection! The Case of Colonel Petrov" | |
|---|---|
| Play of the Month episode | |
| Episode no. | Season 2 Episode 1 |
| Directed by | Bill Hays |
| Teleplay by | Donald Bull |
| Based on | The Case of Colonel Petrov by Michael Bialoguski |
| Original air date | 27 September 1966 |
| Running time | 100 mins |
"Defection! The Case of Colonel Petrov" is a television play episode of the BBC One anthology television series Play of the Month originally aired on 27 September 1966.[1]
It was based on the book The Case of Colonel Petrov by Michael Bialoguski, which has been filmed for American television as "The Case of Colonel Petrov".[2][3] Bialoguski was a consultant on the show.[4] A number of Australian expatriate actors living in London featured in the cast.[5]
The Age wondered why the story, which took place in Australia and had a massive impact on Australian politics, had been adapted for British television but not Australian television.[6]
It aired in the US in 1968.[7] The Australian Broadcasting Commission declined the opportunity to broadcast the production.[3]
Cast
- Lee Montague as Michael Bialoguski
- Nigel Stock as Colonel Petrov
- Madge Ryan as Dusya
- Charles Tingwell as Johnson
- Jerome Willis as Zaryezov
- Colin Jeavons as Kislytsin
- George Roubicek as Bradley
- Lyndel Rowe as Jessie
- Walter Sparrow as Roberts
- George Pastell as Pakhomev
- James Bree as Lifanov
- Honora Burke as Sonya
- Robert Marsden as Koukharenko
- Kenneth Colley as Yolinichev
- Alec Mango as Prudnikov
- Lala Lloyd as Lily Klodnitsky
- Peter van Dissel as Chomentowski
- John Kidd as Mackenzie
- Willoughby Gray as Colonel Trex
- Lloyd Lamble as Beckett
- Michael Golden as Generalov
- David Joel as Reporter
- Deirdre Denham as Air hostess
- William Curran as Thompson
- Charles Rea as Narrator (voice)
Reception
The Observer called it "efficient".[8]
References
- ^ "TV Guide". Evening Standard. 27 September 1966. p. 4.
- ^ "Petrov Case As U.S. T.V. Drama". The Sydney Morning Herald. 17 April 1956. p. 3.
- ^ a b Vagg, Stephen (11 August 2025). "Forgotten Australian Films: Into the Straight". Filmink. Retrieved 11 August 2025.
- ^ "PETROV AFFAIR MADE TV PLAY". The Canberra Times. Vol. 41, no. 11, 488. Australian Capital Territory, Australia. 21 September 1966. p. 18. Retrieved 1 May 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "Madge Ryan as Mrs Petrov in BBC play". The Canberra Times. Vol. 41, no. 11, 495. Australian Capital Territory, Australia. 29 September 1966. p. 28. Retrieved 1 May 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "Teletopics". The Age TV and Radio Guide. 29 September 1966. p. 3.
- ^ "True-Life Defection Subject of Show". The Daily Herald. 20 May 1968. p. 23.
- ^ Richardson, Maurice (2 October 1966). "Television". The Observer. p. 25.