First part. "The MAKING OF A HERO" About the true-life figure of Percy Toplis, who led a British army mutiny in an Army training camp in France during the First World War.

Second part. "BEFORE THE SHAMBLES" June 1917, Parcy Toplis arrives at the Etaples training camp in northern France, where the soldiers are put through a brutal training regime, under the command of Brigadier General Thomson. There is a mutiny of the troops.

Third part. "WHEN THE HURLY-BURLY'S DONE" Percy Toplis takes charge of negotiations between the mutineers and Brigadier Thomson. When the mutiny is over, Toplis and the other leaders become marked men. Toplis escapes to England using his talents for disguise, and meets and falls in love with Dorothy.

Final part. "DEAD MAN ON LEAVE" Percy Toplis is a wanted man. The war is over and Toplis decides to rejoin the Army under a false name. He is recognized by a fellow mutineer and joins a black market racket. A shooting incident is blamed on Toplis and the police are back on his trail.

C a s t

Paul McGann as Percy Toplis
Bill Fellows as Geordie
Matthew Marsh as Charles Strange
Anthony Calf as Guinness
Jane Wood as Annie Webster
Ron Donachie as Strachan
Timothy West as Thomson
Dave Hill as Frank Webster
Penelope Wilton as Lady Angela Forbes
Jerome Flynn as Franny
Cherie Lunghi as Dorothy (parts 3 & 4 only)

Production Credits

Director: Jim O'Brien
Writers: John Fairley & William Allison (book), Alan Bleasdale (screenplay)
Production Company: BBC
Broadcaster: BBC pt1 on 31 August, pt2 on 7 Sept, pt3 on 14 Sept, pt4 on 21 Sept 1986