Episodes
| Episode | Title | First Broadcast | Repeated | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | 'a Sight To Make The Bravest Quail' | 20221114 | 20221115 (R4) | Samuel West reads Ben MacIntyre's incredible true story of the most infamous prison in history. Colditz has become synonymous with daring escapes by stiff upper-lipped British soldiers, in a cat-and-mouse game against their ruthless but foolish German captors. But this is only part of the story. Here Ben MacIntyre reveals the real story of Colditz - one not only of bravery, ingenuity and resilience, but also of snobbery, racism, homosexuality, bullying, treachery, insanity and farce. Today: November 1940: as the first British officers arrive at the forbidding Colditz Castle, they realise escape will be a formidable task... Writer: Ben MacIntyre is the bestselling author of Agent Sonya, SAS: Rogue Heroes, The Spy and the Traitor, Agent Zigzag, Operation Mincemeat and A Spy Among Friends. Reader: Samuel West is an acclaimed stage, film and theatre actor and director. Abridger: Richard Hamilton Samuel West reads the incredible true story of the most infamous prison in history. |
| 02 | 'i Was Attracted, By The Drains' | 20221115 | 20221116 (R4) | Samuel West reads Ben MacIntyre's astonishing true story of the most infamous prison in history. Colditz has become synonymous with daring escapes by stiff upper-lipped British soldiers, in a cat-and-mouse game against their ruthless but foolish German captors. But this is only part of the story. Here Ben MacIntyre reveals the real story of Colditz - one not only of bravery, ingenuity and resilience, but also of snobbery, racism, homosexuality, bullying, treachery, insanity and farce. Today: The first of many daring escapes from Colditz, by a charismatic French lieutenant.... Writer: Ben MacIntyre Reader: Samuel West Abridger: Richard Hamilton Samuel West reads the incredible true story of the most infamous prison in history. |
| 03 | 'eccentric And Unusual Men' | 20221116 | 20221117 (R4) | Samuel West reads Ben MacIntyre's astonishing true story of the most infamous prison in history. Colditz has become synonymous with daring escapes by stiff upper-lipped British soldiers, in a cat-and-mouse game against their ruthless but foolish German captors. But this is only part of the story. Here Ben MacIntyre reveals the real story of Colditz - one not only of bravery, ingenuity and resilience, but also of snobbery, racism, homosexuality, bullying, treachery, insanity and farce. Today: the cat-and-mouse game continues with an escape and an ambush, but also shocking antisemitism from some of the prisoners themselves. Writer: Ben MacIntyre Reader: Samuel West Abridger: Richard Hamilton The cat-and-mouse game between guards and prisoners continues with an escape and an ambush Samuel West reads the incredible true story of the most infamous prison in history. |
| 04 | 'an Insult To The German Army' | 20221117 | 20221118 (R4) | Samuel West reads Ben MacIntyre's astonishing true story of the most infamous prison in history. Colditz has become synonymous with daring escapes by stiff upper-lipped British soldiers, in a cat-and-mouse game against their ruthless but foolish German captors. But this is only part of the story. Here Ben MacIntyre reveals the real story of Colditz - one not only of bravery, ingenuity and resilience, but also of snobbery, racism, homosexuality, bullying, treachery, insanity and farce. Today: a disastrous escape attempt ends in ridicule for the British, as the monotony of camp life begins to take its toll... Writer: Ben MacIntyre Reader: Samuel West Abridger: Richard Hamilton A disastrous escape from Colditz attempt ends in ridicule for the British. Samuel West reads the incredible true story of the most infamous prison in history. |
| 05 | 'i Have Given My Word' | 20221118 | 20221119 (R4) | Samuel West reads Ben MacIntyre's astonishing true story of the most infamous prison in history. Colditz has become synonymous with daring escapes by stiff upper-lipped British soldiers, in a cat-and-mouse game against their ruthless but foolish German captors. But this is only part of the story. Here Ben MacIntyre reveals the real story of Colditz - one not only of bravery, ingenuity and resilience, but also of snobbery, racism, homosexuality, bullying, treachery, insanity and farce. Today: after the unexpected German discovery of an audacious tunnel, rumours begin to grow of a spy among the British officers... Writer: Ben MacIntyre Reader: Samuel West Abridger: Richard Hamilton After the discovery of a huge tunnel, rumours fly about a possible a spy among the British Samuel West reads the incredible true story of the most infamous prison in history. |
| 06 | 'the Most Pompous Chap I've Ever Met' | 20221121 | 20221122 (R4) | Samuel West reads Ben MacIntyre's astonishing true story of the most infamous prison in history Colditz has become synonymous with daring escapes by stiff upper-lipped British soldiers, in a cat-and-mouse game against their ruthless but foolish German captors. But this is only part of the story. Here Ben MacIntyre reveals the real story of Colditz - one not only of bravery, ingenuity and resilience, but also of snobbery, racism, homosexuality, bullying, treachery, insanity and farce. Today: the arrival of a famous new prisoner sends ripples of excitement through the camp... Writer: Ben MacIntyre Reader: Samuel West Abridger: Richard Hamilton The arrival of a famous RAF hero sends ripples of excitement through the camp. Samuel West reads the incredible true story of the most infamous prison in history. |
| 07 | 'chateau Colditz' | 20221122 | 20221123 (R4) | Samuel West reads Ben MacIntyre's astonishing true story of the most infamous prison in history Colditz has become synonymous with daring escapes by stiff upper-lipped British soldiers, in a cat-and-mouse game against their ruthless but foolish German captors. But this is only part of the story. Here Ben MacIntyre reveals the real story of Colditz - one not only of bravery, ingenuity and resilience, but also of snobbery, racism, homosexuality, bullying, treachery, insanity and farce. Today: with the tide turning in the War, and Hitler's henchman taking control, falling into the hands of the Germans suddenly takes on a more sinister edge... Writer: Ben MacIntyre Reader: Samuel West Abridger: Richard Hamilton September 1942: with the tide turning in the War, escape becomes even more dangerous... Samuel West reads the incredible true story of the most infamous prison in history. |
| 08 | 'a Rat And A Traitor' | 20221123 | 20221124 (R4) | Samuel West reads Ben MacIntyre's astonishing true story of the most infamous prison in history Colditz has become synonymous with daring escapes by stiff upper-lipped British soldiers, in a cat-and-mouse game against their ruthless but foolish German captors. But this is only part of the story. Here Ben MacIntyre reveals the real story of Colditz - one not only of bravery, ingenuity and resilience, but also of snobbery, racism, homosexuality, bullying, treachery, insanity and farce. Today: after three years in Colditz, the prisoners are decaying mentally and physically. And now a traitor is unearthed in their midst... Writer: Ben MacIntyre Reader: Samuel West Abridger: Richard Hamilton After three years in Colditz, a traitor is unearthed among the British prisoners... Samuel West reads the incredible true story of the most infamous prison in history. |
| 09 | 'orders To Kill' | 20221124 | 20221125 (R4) | Samuel West reads Ben MacIntyre's astonishing true story of the most infamous prison in history Colditz has become synonymous with daring escapes by stiff upper-lipped British soldiers, in a cat-and-mouse game against their ruthless but foolish German captors. But this is only part of the story. Here Ben MacIntyre reveals the real story of Colditz - one not only of bravery, ingenuity and resilience, but also of snobbery, racism, homosexuality, bullying, treachery, insanity and farce. Today: it's June 1944, with German defeat now inevitable, the prisoners begin to fear for their safety. What will happen to them when Colditz is liberated? Writer: Ben MacIntyre Reader: Samuel West Abridger: Richard Hamilton 1944: with German defeat now inevitable, the remaining POWS begin to fear for their safety Samuel West reads the incredible true story of the most infamous prison in history. |
| 10 | 'take Colditz!' | 20221125 | 20221126 (R4) | Samuel West concludes Ben MacIntyre's astonishing true story of the most infamous prison in history Colditz has become synonymous with daring escapes by stiff upper-lipped British soldiers, in a cat-and-mouse game against their ruthless but foolish German captors. But this is only part of the story. Here Ben MacIntyre reveals the real story of Colditz - one not only of bravery, ingenuity and resilience, but also of snobbery, racism, homosexuality, bullying, treachery, insanity and farce. Today: April 1945, and with the SS and the US troops both advancing on Colditz, the prisoners take control... Writer: Ben MacIntyre Reader: Samuel West Abridger: Richard Hamilton April 1945: with SS and US troops advancing on Colditz, the prisoners take control... Samuel West reads the incredible true story of the most infamous prison in history. |