Epitaph for a Hero

I was very surprised, about half way through this episode, to realise that the plot was almost entirely lifted from the (then) recent, Oscar winning heist film 'Topkapi'. The episode begins with a bizarre funeral scene which probably owes more to another great 60s crime film, 'Charade'. The dead man, it turns out, is very much alive and recruits the Baron for a robbery in which he is to act simply as a fence. In true 'Topkapi' style, John Mannering is found out for the double agent he is, a foot is injured and Mannering is forced to take a place in the actual scheme. Further tension is added with the capture of Cordelia by the crooks and a threat to her life...

A pedestrian episode of what is essentially a pedestrian series, lacking the charm and appeal of other ITC work. Nevertheless its an enjoyable way to spend 50 minutes, and the actual robbery is fairly original, in an unlikely sort of way.

6/10

Mannering attends the funeral of Jim Carey, a former army colleague. After receiving a message that Carey is still alive, Mannering agrees to go undercover for Templeton-Green. An elaborate plan to steal a $ 1 m jewel is bad enough but becomes worse when Cordelia is used as a hostage to ensure that the Baron cooperates with Carey.

The Baron is similar to the Saint, very English in its style,but what makes it unique is that the hero - Mannering - is an American. Steve Forrest plays him, though he lacks the charm of the Saint ( Roger Moore), he still has a likebility and he's little more hard boiled. Assisting him is Sue Lloyd as Cordelia.

In this episode, Mannering finds himself knee deep in a heist - he has to help a gang led by Patricia Haines - a great villainess - to pull it - under coercion, of course. It's fast-paced, has tense moments such as when Mannering tries to pry his transmitter from a drain with a thug not too far away as well as the actual heist. It's great fun and ends with a neat action scene.