Mission: Impossible (TV Series) The Trial (1967) User Reviews

Excellent.

[planktonrules · 10/10 · 6 February 2014]

Varsh (Carroll O'Connor) is an extremist in his government. He favors breaking off relations with the West and favors a very confrontational approach--whereas Deputy Premier Kudnov (David Opatoshu) sees value in the East and West having closer relations. In order to 'win', Varsh plans on setting up some American in order to have a big show trial and to milk it for all its worth in propaganda value. The IM Force gives him such a man--someone easy to set up since he IS guilty. However, what Varsh doesn't know is that this same man has a 100% foolproof alibi--as he was spending the evening with Kudnov! How do they do it? Have two Mr. Bentons (Dan Briggs)! Additionally, they also show Kudnov that Varsh is not only trying to frame an innocent man but is trying to have the Deputy Premier killed as well!

This is an excellent episode--mostly because it was exciting to watch Varsh's character so completely screwed by the IM Force! Thanks to good writing and some very good guest stars, they really do a great job in this story and it's one of the better episodes of season 1. Well worth seeing.

Excellent Episode

[januszlvii · 10/10 · 23 March 2022]

I agree 100% with the previous poster that The Trial is one of the best episodes of Season One, with Joseph Varsh ( Carroll O'Connor) as an evil prosecutor looking to frame an innocent American for propaganda purposes so he can destroy relationships with the West. What he failed to mention was the entire episode was Rollin Hand ( Martin Landau) against Varsh, and trust me Rollin makes an excellent Defense Attorney for Dan Briggs ( Steven Hill) who allowed himself to be set up to discredit Varsh and allow Varsh's arch enemy Deputy Premier Anton Kudnov ( David Opatoshu) who wants good relations with the West to gain the upper hand. Spoilers Ahead: While Rollin and Briggs set up Varsh, he was actually guilty of trying to assassinate Kudnov, so he will get exactly what is coming to him. Once again another excellent Landau episode with two outstanding guest stars ( O'Connor and Opstoshu) backing him up. 10/10 stars.

THE WALLS COME TUMBLING DOWN...

[tcchelsey · 10/10 · 27 August 2023]

Another of the supreme fake-out episodes MI has to offer, and I do agree with the last reviewer, possibly the best episode of the first season.

Carroll O'Connor is extremely good as an extremist named Josef Varsh, more than likely with Russian ties (the writers for the series loved the Russian angle) whose mission is keep his far Eastern country an isolationist power, quite cleverly putting an American on trial to strengthen his case. What the over zealous head of the nation's secret police does not know is that the American in question is none other than Briggs! Fairly clever stuff.

There is some excellent acting to go around here, well directed by veteran Lewis Allen, long a movie director, but also into television, namely BONANZA. Laurence Heath wrote this fascinating story, and quite original, who later would write many episodes for DYNASTY. Heath's turning the tables on the dictator is one to watch, particularly how both Rollin (Martin Landau) and Briggs (Steven Hill) handle their respective roles, before pulling the rug out from under this goon.

Long before ALL IN THE FAMILY fame, O'Connor played some terrific character roles, and was a master of makeup. Prior to this role he appeared in THE WILD, WILD WEST and in the cult gangster film, WARNING SHOT, starring David Janssen.

Good support from David Opatoshu (as the deputy premier), enormously popular on tv at the time, also Gail Kobe as Lisa, who would gain more fame as the producer for several top tv soap operas. Series favorite Michael Strong plays Barskov, best as suspicious types, particularly foreign agents.

This one all adds up and will keep your attention, as it's an elaborate game of chess with real people.

No other way to describe this matchup.

SEASON 1 remastered dvd box set.