Mission: Impossible (TV Series) Operation 'Heart' (1967) User Reviews

Well worth your time.

[planktonrules · 8/10 · 5 April 2014]

Professor William Bennett has been arrested for spying by some unfriendly nation. You assume he's some innocent pawn in the affair and it's made worse because Bennett is deathly ill. So, the IM Force goes to this country and springs Bennett. And, while they're at it, they arrange for one of their enemies to kill one of their own kind!

Cinnamon stars as Mrs. Bennett and she goes to plead her husband's cause. Unknown to the baddies, the IM team is also there to create a phony bomb scare. That way, when Bennett is getting operated on, they can sneak in and steal Bennett out from under their noses. It works very well--and leaves the enemy blaming each other for a supposed attempted coup.

All in all, this is a very typical sort of episode--which is good, as "Mission: Impossible" (particularly the earlier episodes) was a terrific series. Well worth seeing and with a juicy and ironic ending.

Entertaining episode

[Guad42 · 8/10 · 26 April 2021]

Pernell Roberts in the first of four appearances on this show and the only one where he is a good guy. His next appearance as Col Krim is one of the best of this series.

Anyway, this is a intricate plan to smuggle out a professor with a heart condition who is a pawn in the plot of a security head to kill his friend, the head of a pro-western government. Martin Landau, always great, is a delight as a crotchety old man. The plan is fun to watch as it unfolds and leads to the conclusion of Pernell Roberts shooting Michael Strong. That is a bit hard to believe. A pro-western leader executes the head of security and nobody has a problem with it? It is television after all and everything has to be wrapped up in a hour minus commercials so allowances must be made.

Good supporting cast and fine script make this one to watch.

BURYING ANOTHER DOUBLE-CROSSER!

[tcchelsey · 10/10 · 24 December 2023]

I agree with the last reviewer, this is a rare "good guy" role for Pernell Roberts. Generally, he's in top form in "don't mess with me" roles, though he's quite convincing here as earnest President Rurich, in charge of a small European country who is marked for assassination by one of his own, hoping to overthrow the government.

The master villain is played by Michael Strong, in a signture role, a Communist sympathizer in disguise called Gumalk, just waiting to take over the country. Many M. I. episodes used the backstabber angle, and it's fun watching these over confident goons get their ultimate reward. The plan is twofold as the M. I. also has to rescue an American archaeologist called Professor Bennett, arrested as a spy and who suffered a near fatal heart attack in the process. Barbara Bain has a prime role as the man's wife, though the makeup award goes to Martin Landau, playing a complaining elderly man in a wheelchair at the hospital, likewise attempting to mess with Gumalk.

Look for veteran actor Peter Coe in a smaller role as Kramer. Coe was best known for appearing in some classic horror films, such as the HOUSE OF FRANKENSTEIN. He was a special guest in later years at horror conventions, billed as the last surviving actor of some legendary films.

Well written by John O'Dea, who majored in many adventure shows and westerns, such as the BIG VALLEY. Mount Saint Marys University in Los Angeles is party used as a backdrop, and its a smart move as many colleges and universities have some unique buildings which could double for many other structures, even with a European slant.

If you have a sharp eye, the opening scene where Phelps walks toward a building (where he will listen to the secret recording), is directly across the street on the Paramount lot from Joe Mannix's office and garage. Small world!

SEASON 2 EPISODE 7 remastered CBS/Paramount dvd box set. 2007 release.

A Mind-Boggling Episode with Loose Ends

[ChristianSanchez · 5/10 · 6 August 2023]

In the latest installment of the renowned series "Mission Impossible," viewers are taken on a rollercoaster ride of complexity and suspense. Titled Operation 'Heart', this chapter immerses us in a world of high-stakes espionage, and intricate maneuvers,but it also introduces a few puzzling elements that may leave fans scratching their heads.

One notable aspect that adds an extra layer of intrigue is the fate of Cinnamon. The episode concludes with her shockingly ending up behind bars, a development that raises questions about her true intentions and role in the larger scheme of the series. The lack of resolution in this subplot leaves room for speculation and anticipation about future episodes, adding to the overall suspense.

Perhaps one of the most daring yet implausible moments occurs during a crucial operation. The decision to interrupt a heart surgery, a critical element of the mission, feels excessively risky and questions the boundaries of realism. While "Mission Impossible" is renowned for its heart-pounding action, this particular scene ventures into the realm of the unbelievable, requiring a suspension of disbelief from the audience.

Despite these intricacies and loose ends, Operation 'Heart' maintains the series' signature suspense, resourcefulness, and camaraderie among the team members. The relentless pace and heart-stopping stunts keep viewers engaged, and the episode's high production values are evident in every frame. In conclusion, while Operation 'Heart' may leave some questions unanswered and push the limits of credibility, it undeniably offers an adrenaline-fueled and captivating viewing experience that will leave fans eagerly awaiting the next thrilling episode in the "Mission Impossible" series.