The Beastly Hun

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“The Beastly Hun”
'Upstairs, Downstairs' episode

From left; Medical Officer and Hudson
Episode no. Season 4
Episode 3
Written by Jeremy Paul
Directed by Bill Bain
Production no. 3
Original airdate 28 September 1974
Episode chronology
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"News from the Front" "Women shall not Weep"
List of Upstairs, Downstairs episodes

The Beastly Hun was the third episode of the fourth series of the period drama Upstairs, Downstairs. It first aired on 28 September 1974 on ITV.

Contents

[edit] Background

The Beastly Hun was recorded on 2 and 3 May 1974. It shows the anti-German feeling in Britain at the time and how the press reported it.

[edit] Cast

[edit] Plot

Spoiler warning: Plot and/or ending details follow.

It's May 1915, and Hudson is reading out reports about German spies and horific atrocities to the other servants. Later, while helping Rose, Daisy and Mrs Bridges pack some items for the Front, Hazel finds a magazine belonging to Hudson called The Beastly Hun. Hazel is disgusted by what she reads, and orders Hudson to stop spreading these "stories" and he is forced to give in, but clearly his views have not changed on "those pigs, the Huns". Within days, the Lusitania has been sunk by a German submarine and the anti-German feeling in Britain increases. This prompts Hudson into going and volunteering for the Army. However, he is turned away because of poor eyesight and given an exemption certificate. Mrs Bridges then suggests that he become a special constable. He gets permission from Richard, although Hazel is not impressed that Richard did not ask her first, and within days Hudson has had his first shift.

On the evening of Hudson's first shift as a special constable, the Bellamy's local baker, Albert Schoenfeld, a second-generation German, and his wife and son come round and seek refuge in the Servants' Hall. Their house had been attacked and vandalised due to their German surname. Mrs Bridges, Rose, Ruby and Daisy, who the Schoenfelds had baked a special birthday cake for days before, invite them in, but when Hudson returns he goes straight upto to Mr Bellamy. He says that they may stay the night, but must go to the police first thing in the morning. However, Maria Schoenfeld, aware of Hudson's feeling towards them, insists they go that evening.

Following the sacking of Winston Churchill as First Lord of the Admiralty, Andrew Bonar Law and Arthur Balfour come round to Eaton Place and Richard is offered the post of Civil Lord of the Admiralty. This makes him part of the Government. Also, Lt. Dennis Kemp, who had fallen in love with Georgina, is killed days after he arrives at the Front. When Hazel tells Georgina this, she doesn't react, telling Hazel she refuses "fall in love with any of them" because she doesn't "want to mourn them".

Spoilers end here.

[edit] Reception

Gordon Jackson won an Emmy Award for Outstanding Single Performance by a Supporting Actor for this episode.

[edit] References

  • Richard Marson, "Inside UpDown - The Story of Upstairs, Downstairs", Kaleidoscope Publishing, 2005
  • Updown.org.uk - Upstairs, Downstairs Fansite
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