Island at War

A footnote to the history of World War II's Battle of Britain is given the full Masterpiece Theatre treatment in this six-part series by Stephen Mallatratt, set on the fictional Channel Island of St. Gregory, which chronicles the German occupation of the area after Winston Churchill's government withdrew military forces in order to strengthen the defense of England itself. The overriding theme here is the fairly familiar push and pull of resistance and accommodation, told through rather predictable, interlocking subplots. A leading local couple is harried by the German commander, who not only requisitions a portion of their estate, but also shows too much attention to the wife. Their son, a soldier sent home to work as a spy, must disguise himself as the family gardener after his comrade is caught and shot--something for which he blames his father. A local cop is forced to become a chauffeur for the occupiers, and his wife is humiliated in an effort to force information from her. One shop girl falls for a sensitive enemy flyer, while another begins to fraternize too closely with the Germans; a grocer goes into business with a German profiteer; a Jewish girl conceals her racial background, and so on. These are only some of the threads in a program that's basically a glossy soap opera with an intriguing historical backdrop. Ultimately, while the acting is solid and the production thoroughly professional, Island at War is merely respectable rather than compelling. DVD extras include text historical background, cast filmographies, and interviews, as well as a photo gallery. Quibbles aside, this will still be welcome to Anglophiles, and is therefore a strong optional purchase. (F. Swietek)