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.
8 Reviews
War Interrupted
wes-connors28 June 2009
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
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
"How could a brave man like you run from the enemy?"
classicsoncall22 January 2015
Warning: Spoilers
The setting is a World War I German battlefield on the night of November 14th, 1915, as four French soldiers are suddenly transfixed by a brilliant light in the sky above. The men drop their weapons and leave their positions, heading back to their front line even as sudden death seems imminent at the hands of the enemy.
Even more remarkable are the eyewitness accounts of what each of these men saw. The first one visualized himself back home and happy in the French countryside. The second was at peace on the deck of a freighter, while the third experienced a warm breeze and wondrous scent filled air. Initially, their leader Sergeant Vaill (Pernell Roberts) refuses to explain his vision to a court martial panel, but later relents when challenged by the men's defense counsel (Bruce Gordon). Vaill states that he saw the face of the first man he ever killed in battle.
Sentenced to death for cowardice, the four men are miraculously spared after a German soldier inadvertently surrenders to Captain Tremaine (Gordon) while in town. The German also beheld the light in the sky, and suddenly was overcome by the feeling that he couldn't kill anyone in battle, prompting a similar reaction as the French soldiers had. Series host John Newland explains that the mysterious light in the sky was experienced by more than a thousand men who all had the same reaction - for a while, men simply could not kill each other.
Though the quality of these early One Step Beyond episodes isn't of the best quality, they still entertain with mysterious and incredible experiences for which explanations aren't readily available. Presented as true tales, much is left to the eye of the beholder, and at the very least offer unusual insights into the human condition.
Even more remarkable are the eyewitness accounts of what each of these men saw. The first one visualized himself back home and happy in the French countryside. The second was at peace on the deck of a freighter, while the third experienced a warm breeze and wondrous scent filled air. Initially, their leader Sergeant Vaill (Pernell Roberts) refuses to explain his vision to a court martial panel, but later relents when challenged by the men's defense counsel (Bruce Gordon). Vaill states that he saw the face of the first man he ever killed in battle.
Sentenced to death for cowardice, the four men are miraculously spared after a German soldier inadvertently surrenders to Captain Tremaine (Gordon) while in town. The German also beheld the light in the sky, and suddenly was overcome by the feeling that he couldn't kill anyone in battle, prompting a similar reaction as the French soldiers had. Series host John Newland explains that the mysterious light in the sky was experienced by more than a thousand men who all had the same reaction - for a while, men simply could not kill each other.
Though the quality of these early One Step Beyond episodes isn't of the best quality, they still entertain with mysterious and incredible experiences for which explanations aren't readily available. Presented as true tales, much is left to the eye of the beholder, and at the very least offer unusual insights into the human condition.
French soldiers have a strange vision on the battlefield and end up on trial for desertion.
tinman1960200321 July 2006
Warning: Spoilers
The Vision (episode 1-10) has three French soldiers in the midst of a raging battle. Suddenly each sees a vision in the bright light of what appears at first to be a flare. They each lay down their weapons and walk away from the battle.
Later, the three are arrested and held for court-martial. Each tells a different story about why they quit the battle. At first their defense counsel (an officer) tells them it is incredible and he cannot help them. One of the soldiers, a sergeant, is certain they will be shot, and asks the captain to buy him some liquor so he can have it for his last day. The officer is sympathetic and agrees to do so.
Later, in the village near the camp, the captain is approached by a small boy who insists that his grandfather can get him anything he needs. The officer follows the boy and buys some liquor for the sergeant. While in the cottage of the boy's grandfather, a German soldier, war weary, weaponless and tired, approaches the captain. He allows himself to be "captured" and explains that he has seen a vision on the battlefield and no longer wishes to fight. Upon hearing this strange tale, the captain returns to the camp and when he has turned over the German to his own commander, a call is placed to the commander of the enemy camp, and they exchange stories. When the German commander informs him that several of their soldiers have reported "visions" and refused to continue to fight, the French commander realizes his men have been truthful and releases them.
This is based on a true story. In his summary after the program, host and director, John Newland, tells us that many other such reports from all sides of the conflict have surfaced. While interesting, this episode, is not as engrossing or "strange" as other episodes of the series. The transfer quality of this kine-scope is not nearly as good as one would hope, but what can you expect for public domain material. Alas, perhaps someday the series will be restored - one can only hope.
Later, the three are arrested and held for court-martial. Each tells a different story about why they quit the battle. At first their defense counsel (an officer) tells them it is incredible and he cannot help them. One of the soldiers, a sergeant, is certain they will be shot, and asks the captain to buy him some liquor so he can have it for his last day. The officer is sympathetic and agrees to do so.
Later, in the village near the camp, the captain is approached by a small boy who insists that his grandfather can get him anything he needs. The officer follows the boy and buys some liquor for the sergeant. While in the cottage of the boy's grandfather, a German soldier, war weary, weaponless and tired, approaches the captain. He allows himself to be "captured" and explains that he has seen a vision on the battlefield and no longer wishes to fight. Upon hearing this strange tale, the captain returns to the camp and when he has turned over the German to his own commander, a call is placed to the commander of the enemy camp, and they exchange stories. When the German commander informs him that several of their soldiers have reported "visions" and refused to continue to fight, the French commander realizes his men have been truthful and releases them.
This is based on a true story. In his summary after the program, host and director, John Newland, tells us that many other such reports from all sides of the conflict have surfaced. While interesting, this episode, is not as engrossing or "strange" as other episodes of the series. The transfer quality of this kine-scope is not nearly as good as one would hope, but what can you expect for public domain material. Alas, perhaps someday the series will be restored - one can only hope.
The Vision
Prismark1012 August 2021
Warning: Spoilers
Maybe John Newland gave the game away in his introduction.
In 1915 while europe is at war. Something appeared in the night sky one November night.
Four French soldiers seemed to be dazzled by this blinding light and walked away from the battlefield.
They are later charged with desertion. Each man gives a different account as to where the light took them to their disbelieving defence lawyer, Captain Tremaine (Bruce Gordon.)
Despite the best efforts of Captain Tremaine. The men are found guilty and face the firing squad.
While searching for good cognac for one of the condemned soldiers. Captain Tremaine comes across an escaped German soldier who also had a fantastic vision on that same night.
The story is disjointed but gains momentum courtesy of Bruce Gordon's performance. He blithely moves from a sceptic to admiring the sincerity of what the soldiers saw.
In 1915 while europe is at war. Something appeared in the night sky one November night.
Four French soldiers seemed to be dazzled by this blinding light and walked away from the battlefield.
They are later charged with desertion. Each man gives a different account as to where the light took them to their disbelieving defence lawyer, Captain Tremaine (Bruce Gordon.)
Despite the best efforts of Captain Tremaine. The men are found guilty and face the firing squad.
While searching for good cognac for one of the condemned soldiers. Captain Tremaine comes across an escaped German soldier who also had a fantastic vision on that same night.
The story is disjointed but gains momentum courtesy of Bruce Gordon's performance. He blithely moves from a sceptic to admiring the sincerity of what the soldiers saw.
Paths of glorious, shining lights.
Sleepin_Dragon23 May 2024
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.
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.
A Vision of Peace
sol-kay3 October 2010
Warning: Spoilers
***SPOILERS*** At approximately 10:30 PM on the bloody Western Front a light appeared in the sky that had a squad of four French infantryman lead by the battle hardened Sgt. Vy, Pernell Roberts, throw their guns away and walk back to their front line where they were to later face a French firing squad for cowardice in the face of the enemy. The French soldier's military lawyer Capt.Tremaine, Bruce Gordon, hearing them out in why they refused to take up arms and kill the enemy was completely flabbergasted in the story they told him! They just couldn't bring themselves to kill anymore! Even if it meant that they would end up getting killed, by a French firing squad, themselves!
At first thinking that his clients have either gone mad or soft in the head Capt. Tremaine could only hope that the French Military Court would let them off in their actions being the result of shell shock from the fighting that they went through on the battlefront. Condemned to death and not at all caring what happens to them the unit's leader Sgt. Vy ask Capt.Tremaine one last request before he's to be shot. Get him bottle of high class cognac for his last meal or in this case last drink.
***SPOILERS*** This last request on Sgt. Vy's part turned out to be as miraculous as what he and his men saw in the night sky that cold Novermber evening over the Western battlefield. It had Capt. Tremaine run into a German Army deserter, Willie J. White, who saw the exact same thing that Sgt. Vy and his men saw that night! The German dropped his rifle and just quit fighting. And just before it was time for Sgt.Vy and his men to be executed news started coming into French Military Headquarters that on that night there were thousands of soldiers, on both sides of the battlefield, who did the exact same thing!
At first thinking that his clients have either gone mad or soft in the head Capt. Tremaine could only hope that the French Military Court would let them off in their actions being the result of shell shock from the fighting that they went through on the battlefront. Condemned to death and not at all caring what happens to them the unit's leader Sgt. Vy ask Capt.Tremaine one last request before he's to be shot. Get him bottle of high class cognac for his last meal or in this case last drink.
***SPOILERS*** This last request on Sgt. Vy's part turned out to be as miraculous as what he and his men saw in the night sky that cold Novermber evening over the Western battlefield. It had Capt. Tremaine run into a German Army deserter, Willie J. White, who saw the exact same thing that Sgt. Vy and his men saw that night! The German dropped his rifle and just quit fighting. And just before it was time for Sgt.Vy and his men to be executed news started coming into French Military Headquarters that on that night there were thousands of soldiers, on both sides of the battlefield, who did the exact same thing!
Seeing the Light?
Goingbegging17 July 2022
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 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...
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