Mission Impossible (1966) s01e18 Episode Script

Good morning, Mr Briggs.
Josef Varsh, Public Prosecutor and head of his country's secret police, is one of the most dangerous men in Eastern Europe.
He heads the political faction which wants to heat up the Cold War.
Opposed to him are those who favour co-existence led by Anton Kudnov, the Deputy Premier.
Varsh now plans to stir up feeling against the United States by arresting and charging some innocent American with a serious crime, and then staging a propaganda show trial for the world.
He plans to use this to gain absolute power for himself.
Should Varsh succeed, not only will the victim lose his freedom and possibly his life, but the international peace will be threatened.
Your mission, should you decide to accept it, is to stop Varsh and to so discredit him, that he will never again be a political threat.
As always, should you or any of your IM Force be caught or killed, the Secretary will disavow any knowledge of your actions.
This recording will decompose in five seconds.
Good luck, Dan.
Josef Varsh has one deadly rival for power, Anton Kudnov, Deputy Premier.
How does that help us? Kudnov doesn't know it yet, but he's our alibi.
Alibi? Varsh wants a victim for a show trial.
I'm going to give him one.
Me.
How do you get Varsh on your trail? Lisa Goren.
Her husband, Stephen, was an agent for the West.
She betrayed him to the secret police.
We've learned that he's been liquidated, secretly, by her new boyfriend, Josef Varsh.
There's one big problem, Dan.
Getting yourself arrested, that won't be too much trouble, but getting you off, that's something else.
I know.
Everything depends on my alibi.
Hello.
I want to talk to Stephen.
Who is this calling, please? Tell him I'm a friend of Frederick's.
He'll know.
My husband is not at home at the moment.
If you would please leave your name and your number, I would have him call you when he returns.
I have a gift for him from Frederick.
Perhaps I can leave it with you.
I'll be in the café of the Hotel Berlik in a half an hour.
Sir.
Today's list of American tourist arrivals.
Any possibilities? One or two, they're on top.
Yes? One moment.
It's Lisa Goren, sir.
Lisa, hello.
Yes.
Yes, I understand, dear.
Lisa, listen to me.
You go there and meet him.
No, no, no.
There's nothing for you to worry about.
You just go there and meet him.
And I'll talk to you later.
All right? Goodbye.
Very interesting.
There is an American trying to contact Stephen Goren.
With a gift from Frederick.
Frederick? That was her husband's code name.
He's going to be at the Hotel Berlik café in half an hour.
I have been waiting for half an hour.
We know.
For some reason, he decided not to make contact.
Perhaps it is not important.
Or he may be a careful agent.
If he calls you again, keep him talking for at least 30 seconds.
We'll trace the call.
Very well, Captain.
I'm sorry about last night, Madam Goren, but something came up.
Please accept my apologies.
Is Stephen there now? I see.
As I told you, it concerns a gift.
You're very kind.
They've traced it.
What? The American who phoned Lisa is Nathaniel Benton.
He's staying at the Hotel Berlik.
He's an agricultural scientist on a scientific study mission here.
What's he studying? During the past few weeks, he visited these collective farms here, here, here and here.
But these farms are in the vicinity of the Engels Hydro-Electric Complex, aren't they? Why wouldn't it be reasonable to assume that somebody travelling around these small villages might have a particular interest in the Engels Dam? At the very least, we could make it seem that way.
Well, maybe this What's his name? - Benton.
- Benton is the American we're looking for.
That's right.
Now that I know who he is, we'll have him watched.
I'll give you a report on everything he does.
After you.
Thank you.
Oh, I'm sorry, I forgot something.
Did you lose him? He's on his way down to the lobby with Willy.
- Good luck.
- See you later.
Yes? I'm Stephen's friend.
But I have seen you before, at the café.
Why did you not speak to me then? It didn't feel safe.
May I come in, please? Yes.
- Is Stephen here? - No, not at the moment.
Oh, well, then, I'm sorry.
No, please, I know where I can reach him.
He can be here in just a few moments.
Won't you come in? All right.
- Won't you sit down, please? - Thank you.
Hello? Hello, Stephen, darling, the gentleman who was calling you before Yes, yes.
He is here now and he would like very much to see you.
All right, all right.
- You keep him there.
- Yes.
Yes, of course.
- Yes? - Deputy Premier Kudnov? I'm Nathaniel Benton.
Ah, yes.
You are the young American who wrote for an appointment.
You're right on time.
Come in.
Thank you.
I consider this a great privilege.
Well, Mr Benton, agriculture has always been my special preoccupation, and I have received some excellent reports on you from the collective farms.
- This way, please.
- Thank you.
But, please, he'll be here in a moment.
Won't you make yourself comfortable? - Would you like a drink? - Cigarette, perhaps.
Yes, of course.
Please.
I'm sorry to keep you working so late.
I would sit here all night to discuss this.
This is a problem we've been working on for many, many years.
The soil conservation programme you propose will increase our productivity many times.
And this proves without a doubt, the wisdom of cooperation between your country and mine.
I wish that more people here felt that way.
The people do feel that, Mr Benton.
Do not be deceived by the sabre rattling of the military or the secret police.
Nice view.
Thank you.
It is my husband's position, "The higher you go, the higher you live.
" Are you sure you would not like a drink? Thank you, no.
That must be Stephen.
He must have forgotten his key again.
Excuse me.
There's a ledge goes around.
Block the corridor.
Search every apartment.
Go, go.
What's this? That's his.
This is an automobile key.
You'll need a squad of men.
Search Victory Square until you find a car this key fits.
To the friendship of our two countries.
- Look.
- What? Give it to me.
What is it? I'll have to enlarge it to be sure.
But it might be important.
Sir.
We found the car.
There were explosives in the trunk.
It's going to be easy.
Nathaniel Benton, you're under arrest.
Arrest for conspiracy to commit sabotage.
These seem to be in order, Mr Webster, if the prosecution has no objection.
- None at all.
- Good.
I'll inform the American Embassy that you have been accepted as Benton's legal consultant.
Fine, I'd like to see my client as soon as possible.
Oh, I've explained to Mr Webster that Benton has already consulted with the court-appointed defence advocate.
Nevertheless, I Be at headquarters in half an hour.
You may visit your client.
Thank you.
Your Honour.
Do you have a confession yet? Confession is unnecessary in this case.
Benton is guilty.
Guilty? The evidence is overwhelming.
Barsky, please tell Prosecutor Varsh how sympathetic I am to his aims.
Thank you, Zubin.
You are very understanding.
We won't forget.
Mr Benton.
This is Alan Webster, your defence consultant.
Thank you for coming.
Well, how've they been treating you? All right.
I'm innocent.
I don't know anything about sabotage.
Will I get a fair trial? I think so.
There has been and will continue to be a great deal of publicity.
What with the foreign press looking in, I think you'll get a fair trial.
What's the evidence they have against me? Well, to be honest, I haven't really had a chance to examine it yet, but just be patient, Mr Benton.
We'll know more tomorrow.
The State may present its opening remarks.
Thank you.
The State will prove that the defendant, the American, Nathaniel Benton, is a paid saboteur and potentially a mass murderer.
His target, the Engels Hydro-Electric Complex.
Sabotage that dam, and the raging waters it contains will kill tens of thousands of our women and children.
For two weeks, the defendant toured collective farms in the area of the Engels Dam.
And then, on the night of October 17th, he came to the apartment of Madam Lisa Goren.
He brought with him this attaché case.
In this attaché case was found this document in the defendant's own handwriting.
Also, this cigarette box, containing a key to a car we found in Victory Square.
In the car, was a cache of explosives.
And then, concealed in the defendant's hotel room was a piece of microfilm which, when enlarged, proved to be photographs of the Engels Hydro-Electric Complex marked here and there for demolition.
So there is no doubt that this man, Nathaniel Benton, who came to our country, supposedly, on a friendly scientific mission, is in reality, a paid saboteur.
The State defender may now address the Court.
The defendant, Nathaniel Benton, is an agricultural chemist respected in his country, and in ours, until his arrest.
I spoke to the defendant for many hours, and I am convinced of his innocence.
We are a nation with a long tradition of justice.
Let the evidence speak.
Now, the man who came to your apartment on the evening of October 17th, do you see him in this courtroom? - I do.
- Pick him out.
The defendant, Nathaniel Benton.
Do you see here the attaché case that Benton left in your apartment? It is the red one on the table.
- This one? - Yes.
Was this opened in your presence? It was.
- And what was in it? - Documents.
Yes.
And? And an automobile key.
- This was the key? - Yes.
How can you be sure it was the key? It has an adhesive strip on it.
And what is written on it? Only one word, "Victory.
" Yes.
Thank you, Madam Goren.
All right.
Mr Webster will cross examine.
At what time on the evening of October 17th do you allege my client was in your apartment? About 9:00.
About? - Can you be more definite? - Of course.
- You're certain about that time? - I am.
- It is.
- Thank you.
Your Honour, I request permission to recall the witness at a later time.
The request will be entered into the record.
This was found in the car in Victory Square? It was.
Now, in your opinion as a demolitions expert, what do these components constitute? An extremely powerful bomb.
Powerful enough to cause a great deal of destruction? Yes.
I'm thinking in terms of the Engels Dam, powerful enough to destroy that? Powerful enough to destroy the entire hydro-electric complex.
When you examined these components, were you able to determine where they were manufactured? - Yes.
- Where? In In various places.
Various places.
Such as the State Munitions Works? Some of them, yes.
Now, isn't it unusual for a foreign saboteur to be equipped with explosives from the State Munitions Works? Please, I object to what he is implying.
Objection sustained.
Are you through with this witness, Mr Webster? I protest, Your Honour.
This line of questioning is vital to my case.
Your protest is noted.
Deputy Premier Kudnov is in your office.
He demands to see you immediately.
It's important.
The People will call their next witness.
The People, at this time, would like to ask for a recess.
Granted.
The Court stands adjourned until tomorrow morning.
You have manufactured a case against this innocent American.
I want to know why.
I don't know what you mean, "manufactured".
- He is guilty.
- Guilty? Just like some of your other successful prosecutions.
Not this time, Varsh.
I will not allow it.
You can't prevent it.
I can and I will.
I have been watching the trial on television.
He was not in the woman's apartment when you claim he was.
He was with me.
Well, that's quite an alibi witness.
The Deputy Premier.
You surprise me, Kudnov.
I didn't think you'd go to such extremes to destroy me.
This has nothing to do with our political differences.
I will not stand by and watch you hang an innocent man.
He's not an innocent man.
He's guilty.
You understand me? He's guilty.
- Then there's nothing else to say - No! except, unless you drop the charges against Benton immediately, I will appear in that courtroom tomorrow morning and tell the whole world exactly what you are doing.
You know what Kudnov is doing, don't you? - He's trying to destroy you - I know he's trying to destroy me! Well, Mr Benton.
Go and sit in that chair, go.
Up to now you've been lying.
But now I'm going to have the truth.
The truth! You're part of a conspiracy, Mr Benton.
I want to know the nature of the conspiracy.
I want to know the target of the conspiracy.
I don't know what you're talking about.
Kudnov.
I'm talking about Kudnov.
He's the Deputy Premier.
Of course I know of him.
Oh, millions of people know of him.
Not very many have seen him privately.
Have you? I may have seen him on one of the collective farms.
Please, have you seen him anywhere else? I want to see my attorney.
Have you seen him at his home? I will not answer any more questions without my attorney.
Are you using Kudnov? Is he part of the plot? There isn't any plot.
Moisev.
Take him out of here.
Colonel, would you like to try my way? No, no, no! Take him out! Come with me.
Well? Let me think.
Let me think.
Maybe tonight the American could commit suicide.
It's happened before.
That's the trouble, it's happened before.
If Kudnov testifies tomorrow morning, we have no case.
More important than that, he will destroy you.
Yes.
Well, I don't want the Deputy Premier to be available to testify tomorrow.
Can you arrange that? Yes.
Yes? Yes.
Send him in.
Well, Counsellor, what can I do for you? I've been trying to see my client all evening.
Oh, well, your client wasn't feeling very good, and we deemed it advisable not to let anyone disturb him.
I think I understand.
You had no right to interrogate my client without counsel.
But Mr Webster, in a criminal case, my responsibility is to the truth and only to the truth.
You'll see your client tomorrow morning in court.
Good night.
This is too fantastic, Mr Webster.
I made it very clear to Varsh that if he continues with the trial, I will testify.
Then why would they put Benton through hours of relentless interrogation? Don't you see? They don't intend to let you testify.
Who can stop me? Their men are outside right now.
I can't believe it.
You can't afford not to believe it.
- Let's go into your study.
- Why? Because it faces Barodny Park, which is a perfect place for an assassin to operate from.
Very well.
Stand back, away from the window.
I don't think even Varsh would attempt murder.
And so the chain of evidence that I promised I would present to the court is now complete.
It is absolutely irrefutable.
And because the crime was so calculated, so conscienceless, so pitiless, it demands a penalty without pity.
Penalty of death.
Moisev searched Kudnov's house.
There's no sign of a body.
Check all the hospitals.
If you can't find Kudnov, put every available man on the alert.
Under no circumstances should he be allowed to reach this courtroom.
Go, go, go.
Madam Goren? What floor do you live on? On the third floor.
That would be three storeys up, correct? Yes, it would.
And yet you say that the defendant disappeared out the window.
I do.
Are you sure he didn't fly away? Oh, please, I must object.
Counsel is harassing the witness.
I must caution you, Mr Webster.
The Courtroom is no place for levity.
Your Honour, I merely wish to focus the Court's attention on certain aspects of the Prosecution's case.
A case founded on false and questionable evidence.
Evidence which exists for one purpose only.
To convict an innocent American, a man who the Prosecutor knows is innocent.
Objection.
Madam Goren, would you please tell the court what is your relationship to Josef Varsh? I know of him only as the Public Prosecutor.
A respected official.
Yes, and only that? Of course.
Would you please tell the Court who are the persons in this photograph? We are waiting, Madam Goren.
Tell the Court whose photograph this is.
It is a picture of me.
Of you, and? And Josef Varsh.
Objection.
It's immaterial, this line of questioning.
Not at all, Your Honour.
I'm sure the Court will agree, the right to impeach a witness in cross examination is universally accepted.
May I see the picture, Mr Webster? Of course.
Would the Prosecution care to examine the photograph? No.
For the record, the picture shows the Public Prosecutor and the witness in a partial embrace.
Oh, please.
Clear evidence that their relationship is more than just a More than just a public official and a private citizen.
Madam Goren, where was this picture taken? I do not know.
- Wasn't it taken in the country? - I do not remember.
Where you and the Public Prosecutor enjoyed an idyllic weekend together? Objection.
Your Honour, I believe this Court has given me the right to question this witness' credibility.
If you want it, I have proof.
A letter written by Josef Varsh to Lisa Goren.
And I quote, "Darling, the weekend we spent together in the mountains "was one of the most beautiful of my life although I" If the Court please.
I wrote this letter.
With the Court's permission, if you please.
I had hoped, for Madam Goren's sake, this would not be necessary.
But now Yes.
I wrote this letter the Defence Counsel just quoted from.
I have known Madam Goren.
In difficult times like these for our country, it is often necessary that the Public Prosecutor, working with the Security Police, obtain information and evidence in any way he can.
Madam Goren was a convenient and unusually productive source of such information and evidence.
It was through her that we learned her late husband, Stephen Goren, was an enemy agent.
And using her, we captured him.
It was reasonable to assume, therefore, that enemy agents might contact her in the future, and so we kept the lines of communication open.
We kept Lisa Goren, you could say, "on the hook".
And she caught us another fish.
A big one.
That's all there is to say, gentlemen.
That's the case for the prosecution.
Mr Webster, unless you have something further to add, the Court is prepared now to hand down the verdict.
I would like a 30-minute recess, if I may.
For what purpose, Mr Webster? I'm afraid unless you have additional evidence If the Court please, I require this recess to bring in my final witness.
We will recess.
Moisev.
Stay with him.
The Court is in session.
What are you doing, Mr Webster? I said, call your next witness.
If the Court please, I call Deputy Premier Anton Kudnov.
Will the Deputy Premier explain to this Court what this means? I had to tell what I know, and my life was being threatened.
There will be order! - Proceed with the witness, Mr Webster.
- Thank you, Your Honour.
Will the Deputy Premier please tell the Court where he was on the evening of October 17th between the hours of 9:00 and 10:00? I was in my home.
- Was there anyone else with you? - Yes.
The defendant, Nathaniel Benton.
Order.
Is there a reason, sir, why you didn't bring forth this testimony before this? Yes.
Because if I had appeared here today as myself, I would have been killed before I reached the courtroom.
And because last night, Prosecutor Varsh tried to have me killed.
Lies! He He And they all He is part of a plot against the State! Let the trial continue and we shall see who is lying.
Varsh knew my testimony would ruin his plan to send an innocent man to his death.
Benton was with me, that is why Varsh tried to have me killed.
Here is a signed report which Benton gave me when we had our meeting.
Your Honour, I move for immediate acquittal.
Kudnov is trying to destroy me for political reasons! I have presented a valid, truthful case.
If the Court please.
A valid, truthful case? A bomb that was manufactured in the State Munitions Works, testimony by a married woman who happens to be your mistress.
Your Honour, weigh these against the word of a man like Deputy Premier Anton Kudnov.
The Guard will place Josef Varsh under arrest for attempted murder.
Silence! Take him out.
Mr Benton, the government takes no responsibility for the actions of Colonel Varsh.
Nevertheless, on its behalf, I offer you an apology.
Thank you, Your Honour.
All charges against you are dismissed.
Congratulations, Mr Benton.
Thank you very much.