It's been said that power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. That theme is at the center of this Twilight Zone episode, as an unnamed Central American country undergoes a revolutionary change of power, and it's new leader immediately becomes fearful of threats to his legitimacy. It's a severely condensed version of Hitler's fall from dictatorship, though most will see it as Serling's take on Castro's Cuban revolution. Either way, the story exposes every dictator's reliance on an impoverished economy and promises for a future filled with social justice to carry them to victory. What they always fail to tell their followers is that they intend to live it up on the backs of the workers, maintaining power through working class reliance on 'cheap taste and short memory'. History is littered with examples, and one would expect that society and nations learn from the past mistakes of their predecessors. Instead it seems, history is continuously doomed to repeat itself, with only the names and faces changing, and each passing generation facing even higher stakes for the survival of mankind.
33 Reviews
Not a Masterpiece, But Still Enjoyable
MichaelMartinDeSapio1 December 2015
I had long heard about the "Fidel Castro episode" of TWILIGHT ZONE, and finally watched it last night. Yes, it is a bit heavy-handed, but I still enjoyed it. Peter Falk was always a likable actor, and he is very effective as the maniacal dictator. The setting of the Baroque hall in which the entire episode takes place is realistic and effective, resembling the colonial architecture you often find in Latin America. You can practically feel the tropical heat, the sand and the grime. In addition, it was a pleasant surprise to see Will Kuluva (with whom I was previously familiar as "Mr. Ferguson" in the hour-long episode "The New Exhibit") as the outgoing leader of the country. Kuluva had a fine speaking voice and presence. The episode has a notable musical score - surprisingly including a harpsichord, suggestive of a crumbling Baroque façade.
Some other reviewers here feel that the appearance and accents of Clemente's henchmen reflected negative caricatures of Latinos. The actors appear to have been a mix of Italians, Greeks, Jews and one Hispanic. I found their portrayals above all to be a caricature of unkempt militant leftist types. "Latino" did not exist as a racial category in 1961; these were "Latin Americans." Audiences were not ethnically and racially hypersensitive back then, as today.
I do think Serling missed an opportunity with the priest character. Priests, in addition to moral authorities, are also agents of mercy and forgiveness. It would have been not only effective writing but obligatory pastoral practice for the priest to try to lead Clemente to repentance and confession - and explicitly to invoke God! - before he killed himself. The priest seems little more than a "preachy" plot mechanism.
On a final note, I am happy to see that Rod Serling was a liberal in the classic sense and was anti-communist, indeed anti-tyranny of any kind.
Some other reviewers here feel that the appearance and accents of Clemente's henchmen reflected negative caricatures of Latinos. The actors appear to have been a mix of Italians, Greeks, Jews and one Hispanic. I found their portrayals above all to be a caricature of unkempt militant leftist types. "Latino" did not exist as a racial category in 1961; these were "Latin Americans." Audiences were not ethnically and racially hypersensitive back then, as today.
I do think Serling missed an opportunity with the priest character. Priests, in addition to moral authorities, are also agents of mercy and forgiveness. It would have been not only effective writing but obligatory pastoral practice for the priest to try to lead Clemente to repentance and confession - and explicitly to invoke God! - before he killed himself. The priest seems little more than a "preachy" plot mechanism.
On a final note, I am happy to see that Rod Serling was a liberal in the classic sense and was anti-communist, indeed anti-tyranny of any kind.
Real Reflections?
AaronCapenBanner28 October 2014
Peter Falk plays a Central American peasant revolutionary leader named Ramos Clemente, who has just overthrown a hated tyrant who abused his power, and Clemente and his associates are basking in their new power when the dictator they ousted issues them a warning that their hold on power won't last long, and that a cursed mirror will reveal all the future assassins that will threaten Clemente. This prophecy seems to be coming true, as Ramos sees his comrades plotting to kill him in the mirror, so has them killed, but are these reflections true or false? The normally excellent Falk(best known as Lt. Columbo) overacts here, and is miscast, but central point of how absolute power corrupts may unfold a bit too obviously, but episode still remains a guilty pleasure.
The Story of a Tyrant
claudio_carvalho1 May 2009
When the peasant Ramos Clemente (Peter Falk) leads a successful revolution in his undefined country, the former dictator General De Cruz (Will Kuluva) advises that his mirror is magic and can anticipate who will murder him. Clement becomes paranoid and kills each one of his revolutionary comrades believing that they want to murder him.
"The Mirror" is a predictable episode based on the paranoid behavior of a man unprepared to lead a nation. The despicable analogy to the charismatic leader Fidel Castro and the Cuban revolution is not a subtle, but a direct message; but the story of the corruption of the absolute power of a tyrant is reasonable. My vote is six.
Title (Brazil): "O Espelho" ("The Mirror")
Note: On 13 July 2023, I saw this episode again.
"The Mirror" is a predictable episode based on the paranoid behavior of a man unprepared to lead a nation. The despicable analogy to the charismatic leader Fidel Castro and the Cuban revolution is not a subtle, but a direct message; but the story of the corruption of the absolute power of a tyrant is reasonable. My vote is six.
Title (Brazil): "O Espelho" ("The Mirror")
Note: On 13 July 2023, I saw this episode again.
1961's "The Mirror" evokes Cold War sensitivities
chuck-reilly21 August 2009
Warning: Spoilers
The 1961 entry "The Mirror" was obviously inspired by real-life figure Fidel Castro and the Cuban Revolution. Writer and creator Rod Serling was a fervent anti-communist and equally despised authoritarian rulers. In this story, a newly-installed military dictator named Ramos Clemente in a fictitious Latin America country is played by an over-the-top Peter Falk. To say that Clemente is a little power-hungry would be an understatement. Upon his ruthless ascendancy, he is introduced to a very strange mirror by the outgoing general (a cynical Will Kuluva) who guarantees that its reflections can expose Clemente's enemies merely by standing in front of it. Soon, Clemente is spotting spies and counter-revolutionaries by the dozens and he begins ordering non-stop executions to satisfy his thirst for power. In no time at all, Clemente runs out of allies and becomes the victim of his own delusional and maniacal behavior. It all sounds interesting but the story is presented with little room for any real tension and General Clemente's quick demise is a bit too obvious from the start.
Directed by TV veteran Don Medford and written by Serling, "The Mirror" evokes a heaping dose of Cold War hysteria but isn't up to the usual high standards of this classic series. Falk does his best to fit the image and mentality of a Latin American dictator but chews up far too much scenery in the process. Kuluva is fine as his predecessor who's on his way to the firing squad. Old time actor Vladimir Sokoloff does a good job as a Catholic priest who witnesses Clemente's final desperate moments. All in all, it's still an interesting piece for viewers who would like to re-examine the historical content of the early 1960s. Back in those days, Fidel Castro and his ilk were considered real bogeymen.
Directed by TV veteran Don Medford and written by Serling, "The Mirror" evokes a heaping dose of Cold War hysteria but isn't up to the usual high standards of this classic series. Falk does his best to fit the image and mentality of a Latin American dictator but chews up far too much scenery in the process. Kuluva is fine as his predecessor who's on his way to the firing squad. Old time actor Vladimir Sokoloff does a good job as a Catholic priest who witnesses Clemente's final desperate moments. All in all, it's still an interesting piece for viewers who would like to re-examine the historical content of the early 1960s. Back in those days, Fidel Castro and his ilk were considered real bogeymen.
Sure, it's not the best of episodes, but that isn't the reason why fans dislike it.
fedor85 April 2022
Warning: Spoilers
As if a shoddy script ever prevented TZ fans from enjoying the show.
The reason for this episode's low ratings is that most filmophiles are left-wingers who don't take kindly to having their idols (Castro, specifically) presented in a negative light, in any way - much less this blatantly. Castro is, after all, the hero of the pseudo-proletariat and so western Marxists love this dictator, making up a host of excuses for every single non-democratic/criminal thing he ever did. (They hence had to be very busy making up nonsense...)
Western Marxists are so used to subliminal sympathizing with Marxism, both on TV and in the cinema, that modern Marxist viewers in particular might be shocked to see a "Hollywood" creation that takes a few jabs at their beloved genocidal ideology.
Serling, just to make sure the episode doesn't offend his left-wing comrades too much, makes a reference to Castro, just to dispel any notion that Falk is playing the man himself. But by this point it's too late to make amends with Castro fans. And by placing Bautista on the same level with his (much more dangerous) bearded successor, Serling makes sure to not differentiate between Far Left and Far Right sociopaths - which also offends many Castro fans.
It's a typical (bad/weak) Serling episode full of preachiness and long speeches. It has little substance due to its lack of credibility - because of the (hey, the irony) naivety with which left-wing Serling portrays and defines sociopaths. The central theme in a tyrant's life is paranoia, i.e. The fear of being violently overthrown, or so Serling believes. But if that were the case, why do dictators live so long? A person riddled with continual stress doesn't normally reach 90. Castro, very ironically, was not only never toppled but lived a very happy and very long life of barely restrained sadism and thievery - the fave hobbies of any self-respecting murderous loon.
Hence this episode once again displays the embarrassing levels of Serling's ineptitude, not so much in terms of crafting a story but in terms of his child-like, gullible view of human nature. To so completely misunderstand the true nature of a tyrant is typical of left-wingers though. So how cam we possibly expect an intelligent take on this subject, when that subject is completely misunderstood by the writer.
For example, the confidence and distinct LACK of fear shown by the disposed dictator have zero bearing on the real world. He appears far too brave for a man about to be shot and/or tortured. It's almost as if Serling is suggesting that tyrants are brave men, even in extreme situations, when in fact they most often are not. It's comic-book-like cardboard characterization albeit with better written speeches/monologues than what one finds in other pulp fiction of the period. (Which isn't saying much.)
There's other nonsense. Falk is such a stupid dictator that it never occurs to him to have his general (or whatever he is) drink the wine to see if it's poisoned or not. Instead, Falk smashes the glass angrily on the floor. Ts ts ts: if Castro had been this thick, he wouldn't have lasted a week in power.
But it's the end-twist that takes the cake. Peter Falk kills himself. Now, anyone who knows even a bit about psychopath tyrants knows that their limitless narcissism prevents them from committing suicide, except perhaps in moments when they want to avoid an even worse fate. One of the dumbest endings in the entire series.
This is why Serling should have scripted far less episodes himself. Would have been far wiser to involve more talented people, such as regulars Matheson and Beaumont.
The reason for this episode's low ratings is that most filmophiles are left-wingers who don't take kindly to having their idols (Castro, specifically) presented in a negative light, in any way - much less this blatantly. Castro is, after all, the hero of the pseudo-proletariat and so western Marxists love this dictator, making up a host of excuses for every single non-democratic/criminal thing he ever did. (They hence had to be very busy making up nonsense...)
Western Marxists are so used to subliminal sympathizing with Marxism, both on TV and in the cinema, that modern Marxist viewers in particular might be shocked to see a "Hollywood" creation that takes a few jabs at their beloved genocidal ideology.
Serling, just to make sure the episode doesn't offend his left-wing comrades too much, makes a reference to Castro, just to dispel any notion that Falk is playing the man himself. But by this point it's too late to make amends with Castro fans. And by placing Bautista on the same level with his (much more dangerous) bearded successor, Serling makes sure to not differentiate between Far Left and Far Right sociopaths - which also offends many Castro fans.
It's a typical (bad/weak) Serling episode full of preachiness and long speeches. It has little substance due to its lack of credibility - because of the (hey, the irony) naivety with which left-wing Serling portrays and defines sociopaths. The central theme in a tyrant's life is paranoia, i.e. The fear of being violently overthrown, or so Serling believes. But if that were the case, why do dictators live so long? A person riddled with continual stress doesn't normally reach 90. Castro, very ironically, was not only never toppled but lived a very happy and very long life of barely restrained sadism and thievery - the fave hobbies of any self-respecting murderous loon.
Hence this episode once again displays the embarrassing levels of Serling's ineptitude, not so much in terms of crafting a story but in terms of his child-like, gullible view of human nature. To so completely misunderstand the true nature of a tyrant is typical of left-wingers though. So how cam we possibly expect an intelligent take on this subject, when that subject is completely misunderstood by the writer.
For example, the confidence and distinct LACK of fear shown by the disposed dictator have zero bearing on the real world. He appears far too brave for a man about to be shot and/or tortured. It's almost as if Serling is suggesting that tyrants are brave men, even in extreme situations, when in fact they most often are not. It's comic-book-like cardboard characterization albeit with better written speeches/monologues than what one finds in other pulp fiction of the period. (Which isn't saying much.)
There's other nonsense. Falk is such a stupid dictator that it never occurs to him to have his general (or whatever he is) drink the wine to see if it's poisoned or not. Instead, Falk smashes the glass angrily on the floor. Ts ts ts: if Castro had been this thick, he wouldn't have lasted a week in power.
But it's the end-twist that takes the cake. Peter Falk kills himself. Now, anyone who knows even a bit about psychopath tyrants knows that their limitless narcissism prevents them from committing suicide, except perhaps in moments when they want to avoid an even worse fate. One of the dumbest endings in the entire series.
This is why Serling should have scripted far less episodes himself. Would have been far wiser to involve more talented people, such as regulars Matheson and Beaumont.
Mirror Mirror on the wall who's the nuttiest of them all!
sol121816 November 2010
Warning: Spoilers
***SPOILERS*** In what's obvious a lame attempt by Rod Slerling to discredit the 1956-1959 Castro Peasant Revolution in Cuba the Twilight Zone episode "The Mirror" has this Fidel Castro wannabe Ramos Clemente, Peter Falk, and his band of scuzzy unkempt and unshaven followers taking over a Central American country in a popular peasant revolution. That's after a bloody year long guerrilla war against it's also very obvious western installed dictator Gen.De Cruz, Will Kuluva.
Drunk with victory together with about a dozen bottles of wine he gulped down Clemente has De Cruz brought before him to both psychically and mentally torture and abuse the poor and defenseless man. It's an unafraid De Cruz who puts the thought into the deranged Clemente's head about a mirror in the presidential palace that predicts, by closely looking in it, who among his loyal followers are secretly planning to knock the madman off when he isn't looking.
It's after Gen. De Cruze is dispatched via a firing squad that Clemente with his bloodshot eyes starts to look deep into the mirror to see if what the now departed De Cruz told him is in fact true! Sure enough Clemente sees the very persons who put him into power are in fact planning to knock him off when the chance presents itself to them. In no time at all the by now totally mashuga, nuts in Yiddish, Clemente ends up murdering the loyal comrades whom without them he can't both run and control the country that they help him take over!
***SPOILERS*** It's the local priest Father Tomas, Vladimir Sokolff, who finally put Clemente straight in trying to get the by now totally out of control Communist dictator to stop the wholesale executions that he ordered thats going on non stop in the country. Father Tomas telling Clemente how evil and out of touch with reality his crazed actions are has him finally see the light through a bullet hole through his thick skull that Clemente, in him finally realizing just how crazy he is, mercifully inflicted on himself!
P.S If that only would have happened to Fidel! Think of all the trouble money and embarrassment it would have have saved us over the years in trying to take him out!
Drunk with victory together with about a dozen bottles of wine he gulped down Clemente has De Cruz brought before him to both psychically and mentally torture and abuse the poor and defenseless man. It's an unafraid De Cruz who puts the thought into the deranged Clemente's head about a mirror in the presidential palace that predicts, by closely looking in it, who among his loyal followers are secretly planning to knock the madman off when he isn't looking.
It's after Gen. De Cruze is dispatched via a firing squad that Clemente with his bloodshot eyes starts to look deep into the mirror to see if what the now departed De Cruz told him is in fact true! Sure enough Clemente sees the very persons who put him into power are in fact planning to knock him off when the chance presents itself to them. In no time at all the by now totally mashuga, nuts in Yiddish, Clemente ends up murdering the loyal comrades whom without them he can't both run and control the country that they help him take over!
***SPOILERS*** It's the local priest Father Tomas, Vladimir Sokolff, who finally put Clemente straight in trying to get the by now totally out of control Communist dictator to stop the wholesale executions that he ordered thats going on non stop in the country. Father Tomas telling Clemente how evil and out of touch with reality his crazed actions are has him finally see the light through a bullet hole through his thick skull that Clemente, in him finally realizing just how crazy he is, mercifully inflicted on himself!
P.S If that only would have happened to Fidel! Think of all the trouble money and embarrassment it would have have saved us over the years in trying to take him out!
Enemies All Around
bkoganbing11 September 2012
Peter Falk in this episode of the Twilight Zone showed another facet of his talent in playing a Castro like new dictator of an unnamed South American country. The fatigues and beard that Falk wore made him rather unmistakable. Castro is quite a bit taller though.
In any event Falk has led a peasant revolt and he's newly arrived in power and now in the presidential palace he's hearing the ever present sound of firing squad. Sending for his predecessor Will Kulava he wants to do a bit of gloating. Instead Kulava goes bravely to his demise, but not before willing to Falk the mirror in his presidential office which he says will reveal your enemies, real and potential before they strike.
The mirror does show some interesting things to Falk, but as this is the Twilight Zone is it real or is Falk's conscience playing tricks on him.
We never really know, but that's the beauty of this Twilight Zone episode. Very Edgar Allan Poe like, a tell tale heart or a tell tale mirror.
In any event Falk has led a peasant revolt and he's newly arrived in power and now in the presidential palace he's hearing the ever present sound of firing squad. Sending for his predecessor Will Kulava he wants to do a bit of gloating. Instead Kulava goes bravely to his demise, but not before willing to Falk the mirror in his presidential office which he says will reveal your enemies, real and potential before they strike.
The mirror does show some interesting things to Falk, but as this is the Twilight Zone is it real or is Falk's conscience playing tricks on him.
We never really know, but that's the beauty of this Twilight Zone episode. Very Edgar Allan Poe like, a tell tale heart or a tell tale mirror.
A Lesson on the Pitfalls of Power... and Fake Mustaches
jcruzort15 May 2013
As a story, this episode doesn't seem to go anywhere. It's predictable and the Castro comparisons and Sterling's prediction of his demise did not age as well as Castro himself, who showed us that dictators indeed can hold onto power for a very long time.
As a Latino, the dirty make-up, fake beards, and crappy accents are hard to overlook. But the mirror that shows one's would-be assassins and feeds the paranoia of the powerful is a great science fiction concept, one that--in my opinion--saves this episode.
In short, this is not Sterling's best, but I like that he appears to be using current events to spice up these episodes. At the time, audiences probably really enjoyed this condemnation of Castro (that reinforced all of their stereotypes about Latino politics). In our time, we can appreciate it as a reflection of the fears of the past, fears that turned out to be well-founded.
As a Latino, the dirty make-up, fake beards, and crappy accents are hard to overlook. But the mirror that shows one's would-be assassins and feeds the paranoia of the powerful is a great science fiction concept, one that--in my opinion--saves this episode.
In short, this is not Sterling's best, but I like that he appears to be using current events to spice up these episodes. At the time, audiences probably really enjoyed this condemnation of Castro (that reinforced all of their stereotypes about Latino politics). In our time, we can appreciate it as a reflection of the fears of the past, fears that turned out to be well-founded.
It seems dated, but the concept is timeless
sgspires-89-44259124 June 2011
Warning: Spoilers
It's the adage of "absolute power corrupts absolutely" that Twilight Zone writer/creator Rod Serling was going for with this episode. It may seem dated because it is about Cuban leader Fidel Castro, but the concept never dies. Seemingly good men take power from bad men. Paranoia, greed, blood lust creep in, and then good men do bad things. Castro was courted, briefly, by the United States after he took power. This episode was produced just a few weeks after the failed US backed invasion of Cuba at the Bay of Pigs. So, it was a mirror of its time. This same morality tale seems to play out over and over and over again. Whether it be a power hungry manager or a nation's leader. Only thing is, these days people come to respect those knee jerk decisions and paranoid moves to eliminate competitors. Seems these types never learn, somewhere, sometime that another will just push 'em down the stairs or out into traffic. And the cycle starts anew ... the point of "The Mirror" Great work, as generally was the case with Serling's Twilight Zone episodes.
Not Very Imaginative
Hitchcoc24 November 2008
There's no suspense. It's another one of those stories where the absolute power corrupts. Castro (or whomever) is given a chance to correct the evils of his predecessor. Of course, he betrays everyone. He has a magic mirror that shows people betraying him and he strikes out at them. It turns out that the mirror is a means to an end that was already there. He is paranoid from day one and begins to insulate himself immediately. He is harsh and a pure jerk within minutes of taking power. The sad thing is that the episode is so doggone dull that it goes nowhere and has no insights for us. One of Serling's weakest outings. Peter Falk is OK but he has nothing to work with.
Not the best, though far from the worst.
ga_swamprat11 December 2016
Warning: Spoilers
As always, this episode was highly topical at the time, having obviously been heavily influenced by Castro's rise to power. The fake beards were not the best prosthetics that man has ever created, as other people have mentioned, true. However, they were far and above better than the prosthetics seen in many other episodes of this series, or even many other series at the time.
There certainly are touches of that age-old concept of "power corrupting", and as we view it now, to many it may indeed seem quite clichéd. These people fail to note one major thing, however; while such stories have been seen by us, now, in the 2010's time and time again, the Twilight Zone was among the first of its kind. At the time it was produced, it was truly a revolutionary program in so many ways, not least of which was its ability to flaunt sponsor censorship in order to put forth stories that were in many ways quite controversial. This story (and others from the show) that seems so very cliché by current standards was something very new to television at the time.
Nor is that the only (or even primary) theme of the episode. Indeed, it has always seemed to me that the primary theme was more a point that those take power by force and violence needs must forever live in fear of being victims of the same, as evidenced by Clemente's growing paranoia and ultimate fate.
It is true that Castro lived to a ripe old age, despite having risen from violence. But the fact is that he acted in a manner suggesting he knew full well that he could meet the same fate; a fear of violent revolution was what compelled him to imprison so many political opponents and clamp down so hard on the media. Serling may not have guessed his fate correctly, but he was seemingly not so very far off on the man's state of mind, or that of many other despots over the years.
There certainly are touches of that age-old concept of "power corrupting", and as we view it now, to many it may indeed seem quite clichéd. These people fail to note one major thing, however; while such stories have been seen by us, now, in the 2010's time and time again, the Twilight Zone was among the first of its kind. At the time it was produced, it was truly a revolutionary program in so many ways, not least of which was its ability to flaunt sponsor censorship in order to put forth stories that were in many ways quite controversial. This story (and others from the show) that seems so very cliché by current standards was something very new to television at the time.
Nor is that the only (or even primary) theme of the episode. Indeed, it has always seemed to me that the primary theme was more a point that those take power by force and violence needs must forever live in fear of being victims of the same, as evidenced by Clemente's growing paranoia and ultimate fate.
It is true that Castro lived to a ripe old age, despite having risen from violence. But the fact is that he acted in a manner suggesting he knew full well that he could meet the same fate; a fear of violent revolution was what compelled him to imprison so many political opponents and clamp down so hard on the media. Serling may not have guessed his fate correctly, but he was seemingly not so very far off on the man's state of mind, or that of many other despots over the years.
The WORST Twilight Zone episode ...
ghosthostanth20 June 2006
This one is a real stinker.
The story just isn't up to par with most other TZ episodes. It's pretty boring, though seeing Peter Falk made up as a Fidel Castro lookalike is kind of amusing.
Whenever Twilight Zone would be aired at an unannounced hour in my hometown, I'd grab a sandwich and a drink and settle in for some quality entertainment. 9 times out of 10, it wound up being THIS episode! Strange thing? This often happened to my mom (another TZ fan like me) as well. There were so many times that one of us would say to the other, "I was all set to watch _The Twilight Zone_ and guess which episode was on? The Cuban Dictator episode!" Obviously some people like this episode, as it gets a 6.7 rating ... how that happened, I have no idea - but THAT in and of itself would make a great Twilight Zone plot!
The story just isn't up to par with most other TZ episodes. It's pretty boring, though seeing Peter Falk made up as a Fidel Castro lookalike is kind of amusing.
Whenever Twilight Zone would be aired at an unannounced hour in my hometown, I'd grab a sandwich and a drink and settle in for some quality entertainment. 9 times out of 10, it wound up being THIS episode! Strange thing? This often happened to my mom (another TZ fan like me) as well. There were so many times that one of us would say to the other, "I was all set to watch _The Twilight Zone_ and guess which episode was on? The Cuban Dictator episode!" Obviously some people like this episode, as it gets a 6.7 rating ... how that happened, I have no idea - but THAT in and of itself would make a great Twilight Zone plot!
Insight into fears of our parents
jcravens4223 February 2008
This is one of those episodes that you really have to think about the time in which it was shown in order to appreciate why it was relevant. The scene presented was reminiscent to its audience of more than just Cuba -- this was an era of frequent "revolutions" and military-style commanders: Castro, the Perons, Pinochet... but with a change of clothes and accents, this could become Burma or the Middle East or somewhere in Eastern Europe or Africa today, and maybe that consideration will help others appreciate this episode. The only problem I had with the story was the ending, which I didn't understand and didn't feel that it "fit" with the character. This episode is no more "preachy" than any of the Twilight Zone, and if such bothers you, it's not really a series you will ever appreciate, let alone enjoy.
All tyrants have one real enemy.
darrenpearce11120 January 2014
Of all the actors that I wish could have been in a better episode there can be none more so than Peter Falk. He makes this dud episode watchable. Ramos Clementi (Falk) leads a successful revolution against a dictator who warns him that he will see the faces of his assassins in a magic mirror. Absolute power corrupts of course and brings with it paranoia and tyranny.
Predictability is the worst aspect of this story. Some of the dialogue is fairly good and the character of Ramos mentally disintegrates in stages, sometimes questioning and understanding what is happening to him.
The obviousness of Ramos Clementi being Fidel Castro is spelled out in neon lights. Serling says that any resemblance to real tyrants 'is hardly coincidental'. The beards and military uniforms also spell out Castro too. Much less predictable than the plot was the Cuban's longevity as leader.
Not the worst TZ, but let's remember Rod Serling and Peter Falk for the many better things each did.
Predictability is the worst aspect of this story. Some of the dialogue is fairly good and the character of Ramos mentally disintegrates in stages, sometimes questioning and understanding what is happening to him.
The obviousness of Ramos Clementi being Fidel Castro is spelled out in neon lights. Serling says that any resemblance to real tyrants 'is hardly coincidental'. The beards and military uniforms also spell out Castro too. Much less predictable than the plot was the Cuban's longevity as leader.
Not the worst TZ, but let's remember Rod Serling and Peter Falk for the many better things each did.
There's no peace for the wicked.
mark.waltz29 August 2019
Warning: Spoilers
Make no bones about it. Peter Falk is obviously playing a Central American version of Castro, right down to his plain looking military uniform, un-arorned hat and scraggly beard. But he's not Castro, as Castro and other current dictators are mentioned within context of the script. What he is ends up being a scared bully, afraid of what he sees in the mirror of the previous dictator whom he overthrew and lead to an unseen execution, all in the cause of the good of the people. But peace doesn't follow his shallow and false claims of the desire to rule with justice as he kills anybody whose reflection he sees in the mirror, having seen their reflection in threatening poses advancing towards him. The previous dictator warned him of what he would become, and the mirror certainly becomes his curse and constant nightmare. A concerned priest (Vladamir Sokoloff) approaches him out of concern, showing Falk his own evil but paranoia over when leaders of the next regime rebellion will strike.
Poetic justice indeed follows this character's conflicted nature, with one of Falk's men looking like Che Guevera. Certainly, Falk gives a riveting performance, showing the desperation behind a man who has desired power and now must pay for those desires. It's a lesson that history shows equally ambitious men have not learned, karm filled with irony how things turn out. some of the best Twilight Zone episodes have simple plot that still somehow makes you think after the episode is over. This is certainly one of the better ones at doing just that.
Poetic justice indeed follows this character's conflicted nature, with one of Falk's men looking like Che Guevera. Certainly, Falk gives a riveting performance, showing the desperation behind a man who has desired power and now must pay for those desires. It's a lesson that history shows equally ambitious men have not learned, karm filled with irony how things turn out. some of the best Twilight Zone episodes have simple plot that still somehow makes you think after the episode is over. This is certainly one of the better ones at doing just that.
Preachy...yes, Castro is bad---we get that!
planktonrules29 January 2008
Warning: Spoilers
While The Twilight Zone was a wonderful show, it was also very uneven--with some great episodes, some lousy ones and many in between. Don't believe the die-hard fans--there were some stinkers and this was definitely one of them.
In a plot that is obviously meant to be an attack on Fidel Castro, a near lookalike (Peter Falk in lots of makeup and a beard) obtains a magic mirror that allows him to realize who all his enemies are so he can liquidate them. While I do believe that Castro is a thug and dictator (and tens of thousands of refugees and political prisoners will attest to this), it's amazing how this sort of preachy episode actually makes audiences laugh at the American efforts to marginalize the creep and actually makes Castro seem okay!! Think about it--Serling and company wanted to hurt Castro but instead only seemed to be obvious, preachy and silly in the process.
It's indeed bad--almost laughably bad when seen today.
In a plot that is obviously meant to be an attack on Fidel Castro, a near lookalike (Peter Falk in lots of makeup and a beard) obtains a magic mirror that allows him to realize who all his enemies are so he can liquidate them. While I do believe that Castro is a thug and dictator (and tens of thousands of refugees and political prisoners will attest to this), it's amazing how this sort of preachy episode actually makes audiences laugh at the American efforts to marginalize the creep and actually makes Castro seem okay!! Think about it--Serling and company wanted to hurt Castro but instead only seemed to be obvious, preachy and silly in the process.
It's indeed bad--almost laughably bad when seen today.
Mirror Turns Out Very Accurate For This One
DKosty12315 July 2017
Warning: Spoilers
Peter Faulk would go on after this to become the annoying detective, the guy who is like a pebble in your shoe if he is after you. This trip to the Zone is a role reversal. Faulk plays a banana republic dictator who has just overthrown the previous guy. It starts with his take over.
He is in the Presidential palace and is celebrating his great victory with his allies. He is the farm boy to leader story. Only the former President tells him about a mirror in the room. The images in the mirror will show him who is faithful to him and who is not.
The only thing is being a Zone mirror, it seems to start telling him that he can trust no one. So Faulk starts to execute every prisoner, and every enemy he has. The Executions last for days on end. Finally, another aspiring leader comes along and kills him, only to start the same process all over again.
The mirror gets broken, but it does not seem to offer any solutions for what is happening.
He is in the Presidential palace and is celebrating his great victory with his allies. He is the farm boy to leader story. Only the former President tells him about a mirror in the room. The images in the mirror will show him who is faithful to him and who is not.
The only thing is being a Zone mirror, it seems to start telling him that he can trust no one. So Faulk starts to execute every prisoner, and every enemy he has. The Executions last for days on end. Finally, another aspiring leader comes along and kills him, only to start the same process all over again.
The mirror gets broken, but it does not seem to offer any solutions for what is happening.
The Twilight Zone - The Mirror
Scarecrow-8816 February 2015
Warning: Spoilers
The whole "absolute power corrupts absolutely" (as mentioned by others already) is beaten over our skulls with no subtlety whatsoever and because it was a loud, vocal statement against the likes of Fidel Castro (played as a caricature than an actual human being by Peter Falk, laying it on a bit too unrealistically thick) and any "tyrant" that holds power over a people without freedom due to a military at his disposal the episode certainly preaches with fists beating chest against any totalitarian dictatorship and communist-type ideal. Whether or not you agree with his statement could determine how this episode goes over with you. There's a mirror that supposedly reflects what will happen to you in the future, and when Falk's Clemente, a peasant farmer who rose to power with four of his loyal comrades leading to an overthrow of the current communist government (led by General De Cruz (played sufficiently by Will Kuluva)), sees his own friends "plotting to assassinate him", it sets off a chain of events that lead to his downfall. Does the mirror ever truly reveal anything or is it just an illusion brought about from the paranoia of the person who looks into it? This prop could have been excellently used in another tale in the same fashion, but because Falk's new leader is so maniacal and accusatory almost from the onset with little room of development (again, he's saddled with a caricature and plays him as such) it is hard to care one way or another. The ending is never in doubt although Vladimir Sokoloff's priest nearly salvages this Serling misfire by communicating to Clemente how man (no, power-hungry, paranoid ruler) can be a detriment to himself. I guess the message ultimately is that when achieving a position of supreme rule, gaining such control after being at the bottom so long, can lead to devastating consequences
it is wrong in the case of Castro, however, which means Serling's message failed to deliver as intended. The episode significantly concentrates on public executions as a point direct, with those in his entourage becoming appalled and concerned over the overuse of violence, which would just continue and continue. Eventually Clemente is on his own, behind the deaths of those most behind him, with Serling's message overtly purposed on how those like Castro would meet a similar fate. I think as a look into the mindset of an intellectual like Serling who saw communist/leftism/Marxism as a danger to the world, "The Mirror" might be intriguing, although its portrayal of Latinos could deservedly be viewed as disconcerting. Not a good half hour for Falk who overacts and Serling, whose writing is more than a bit ill-advised. Besides the priest's "voice of moralistic reason" and Kuluva's "you are just like me" speech to Clemente (both prove to be right about him), there isn't much successful about this episode of the Twilight Zone.
"Instead of the flavor of wine, it is the taste of ashes."
"Instead of the flavor of wine, it is the taste of ashes."
Power comes at a price
Woodyanders16 March 2018
Warning: Spoilers
Central American revolutionary Ramos Clemente (robustly played with wild-eyed zeal by Peter Falk) achieves a position of high power along with a magical mirror that enables him to see anyone who plans to assassinate him in the immediate near future.
Director Don Medford relates the absorbing story at a steady pace and ably crafts a tense unsettling atmosphere. Rod Serling's insightful script offers a potent and provocative observation on how power and paranoia go hand in hand. Falk's intense and impassioned acting keeps things humming; he receives sturdy support from Will Kuluva as the disgraced General De Cruz, Anthony Carbone as the loyal Cristo, and Vladimir Sokoloff as wise priest Father Tomas. Strong stuff.
Director Don Medford relates the absorbing story at a steady pace and ably crafts a tense unsettling atmosphere. Rod Serling's insightful script offers a potent and provocative observation on how power and paranoia go hand in hand. Falk's intense and impassioned acting keeps things humming; he receives sturdy support from Will Kuluva as the disgraced General De Cruz, Anthony Carbone as the loyal Cristo, and Vladimir Sokoloff as wise priest Father Tomas. Strong stuff.
Mirror mirror on the wall, who shall kill me after all?
Coventry7 July 2020
Unrecognizable Peter "Columbo" Falk depicts (at the heights of the Cuba crisis, I may add) Fidel Castro look-alike and rebellious revolution-leader Ramos Clemente, who has just successfully overthrown the dictatorship of a non-specified Central American nation. While still celebrating his victory with his companions, the fallen General De Cruz warns Clemente that, from now on, he should be wary of everyone becoming enemies. Heck, the glorious office even has a mirror that shows the owner his next potential assassin. Predictably, Clemente gets paranoid and sees how, behind his own reflection, his revolution comrades intend to murder him. Easily one of the weakest entries in "The Twilight Zone" thus far. The tale exaggeratedly and unsubtly attempts to warn people that Castro is a bad person, and the moral only states the obvious; - namely that power leads to greed, abuse and megalomania.
Thine own worst enemy
putahw-4099714 November 2020
This episode reflects reality in so many facets. Who among us hasn't, at one time or another, become our worst enemy. The acting was outstanding. This was by far one of the best episodes. The people who gave this episode a poor review are similar to the main character, in that they are afraid to admit we are our own worst enemy.
The enemy within
Calicodreamin14 June 2021
Among the best of the series.
searchanddestroy-12 January 2020
There is not more to say about this episode. Except that without the mirror trick, which allows this topic to belong to the TZ show, the only scheme of the two men facing each other, Peter Falk's character - the copy of Fidel castro - and the former dictator, THAT IS THE MIRROR. The ex dictator is the reflection of the new one.
Should've been a comedy
la_follette4 July 2021
It's impossible to view this episode and not think of films like Bananas and the In-Laws, the latter featuring Peter Falk who played a CIA spook who came up with the Bay of Pigs plan. Here Falk plays the dour, paranoid "Ramos Clemente," who of course is really Castro. This could have very easily been a comedy. They had comedy genius Falk, they had him in a ridiculous green fatigues outfit. No one saw the potential--too soon after Castro's rise I guess. Instead we get a lecture.
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