"Mission: Impossible" Pilot (1966)

Director:

Bernard L. Kowalski

Writers:

Bruce Geller (written by)
Bruce Geller (creator)

TV Series:

"Mission: Impossible" (1966)

Original Air Date:

17 September 1966 (Season 1, Episode 1)

Genre:

Action | Adventure | Crime | Drama | Thriller

Plot:

Dan Briggs apparently rejoins the Impossible Missions Force after some sort of sabbatical. His recorded instructions include the words...

Plot Keywords:

Clock Watcher | Mission | Deception | Superspy | Self Destructing Message

Cast

Steven Hill	...	Daniel Briggs
Barbara Bain	...	Cinnamon Carter
Greg Morris	...	Barney Collier
Peter Lupus	...	Willy Armitage
Martin Landau	...	Rollin Hand
Wally Cox	...	Terry Targo
Harry Davis	...	Alisio
Paul Micale	...	Desk Clerk
Patrick Campbell	...	Day Vault Clerk
Fred Villani	...	Night Vault Clerk (as Fredric Villani)
Joseph Breen	...	Loft Manager (as Joe Breen)

Runtime:

USA:60 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Filming Locations:

Desilu Studios - 9336 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City, California, USA

Company:

Desilu Productions

Quotes:

Mission recording voice: Good morning, Mr. Briggs. General Rio Dominguez, the dictator of Santa Costa, makes his headquarters in the Hotel Nacionale. We've learned that two nuclear warheads furnished to Santa Costa by an enemy power are contained in the hotel vault. Their use is imminent...

Strong kick-off.

The imminent use of atomic weapons at the hands of a South-American despot seems a bit far-fetched, but it sets the tone for the import of the IMF's missions. Straight out of the gate, the format is established with leader Dan Briggs (Stephen Hill) getting his orders from a disintegrating LP and then choosing his agents from the leather-bound IMF agent portfolio. (I remember, as a kid, I always thought those first few minutes of every episode were awesome.) Martin Landou as Rollin Hand, master of disguise, establishes the series soon-to-be-famous motif of impersonations. Barnier Collier, played by Greg Morris, is the original McGyver. His gadgets and tricks, a bit underplayed in this pilot episode, always added to the IMF team's trickery in an interesting way. We're also introduced to series regulars, Barbara Bain and Peter Lupus, one of only two actors (Greg Morris) who were with the series entire run. The great Wally Cox makes his only series appearance in the pilot as a safe-cracker. While not one of the series strongest episodes, it was suspenseful and compelling enough to make you want to see more. The potential for where the stories could go was limitless.