Private Schulz
Miniseries
May 6, 1981
6Episodes
Set primarily in Germany, during and immediately following World War II, fraudster and petty criminal Gerhard Schulz is forced to serve in the SS. In a story based on the real, though unrealised, plot by the Germans known as Operation Bernhard, Schulz tricks the Nazis into making counterfeit British £5 notes, millions of which will be used to destroy the British economy.
Episodes
1. Part One
May 6, 1981
50 min
Recently released from prison, Gerhard Schulz is drafted into the SS Counter-Espionage division, under Major Neuheim. His first assignment is eavesdropping on clients at the Salon Kitty brothel where he meets Bertha, the madam. After recommendinh to Neuheim the forging of British £5 notes, Schulz is tasked with assembling a group of forgers.
Guest Stars:
Ian Richardson, Cyril Shaps, Billie Whitelaw, Terence Suffolk, Walter Sparrow
2. Part Two
May 13, 1981
50 min
The initial difficulties of forging the £5 notes is overcome, the last hurdle due to Schulz blackmailing Professor Bodelschwingh to solve the serial numbering sequence. After stealing some of the money to use at Salon Kitty and to impress Bertha, Schulz is discovered by Neuheim and must either face a firing squad, or parachute into Britain in an attempt to distribute £2 million in forged currency.
Guest Stars:
Ian Richardson, Cyril Shaps, Billie Whitelaw, Terence Suffolk, Walter Sparrow
3. Part Three
May 20, 1981
50 min
After landing in Britain, Schulz buries most of the money, using a milestone as a landmark. While trying to blend in, his behaviour rouses suspicion amongst the villagers, and he escapes to make contact with Nazi agent Melfort. Upon discovering that Melfort is controlled by the British, he flees to the coast, crossing the Channel to arrive at the Dunkirk evacuation. He eventually enters a deserted Chateau, where he is double-crossed by a countess, then captured by the German army.
Guest Stars:
Ian Richardson, Michael Barrington, John J. Carney, Eric Carte, Caroline Blakiston
4. Part Four
May 27, 1981
50 min
Schulz is returned to his post with Neuheim where he suggests using the forged money to pay German agents and buy treasures from occupied countries. He plans to steal a shipment. After his first plan fails, he attempts again with Neuheim's secretary, Gertrude Steiner, as his accomplice. He is once again double-crossed, captured, and sent to labour camp for three years.
Guest Stars:
Ian Richardson, Cyril Shaps, Billie Whitelaw, Terence Suffolk, Walter Sparrow
5. Part Five
June 3, 1981
50 min
Late 1944, war is going poorly for Germany: the forging operation is moved by Neuheim to the same labour camp Schulz is serving at. He maneuvers to once again be posted to act as Neuheim's clerk. As a last-ditch effort, Neuheim puts Schulz in charge of taking the forged money and equipment to the Alps for safety. With the other forgers' help, Schulz dumps everything in a lake, but is caught by an American patrol. Now penniless in late 1945, he is located by Neuheim and forced to retrieve the money.
Guest Stars:
Ian Richardson, Cyril Shaps, Terence Suffolk, Walter Sparrow, Mark Wingett
6. Part Six
June 10, 1981
50 min
Once again, Schulz is penniless and a released convict. He discovers he still has the map showing the location of the buried money in Britain. Travelling back and recruiting local criminal Stan to help him dig for it beneath the public lavatory built over the spot, the money is recovered. However, Stan and his gang try to double-cross Schulz but Schulz manages to escape with the canister of money and is pursued by Stan.
Guest Stars:
Ian Richardson, Cyril Shaps, Billie Whitelaw, Billy Murray, Declan Mulholland