Stylish and powerfully delivered, this fact-based World War Two drama stars fellow Antipodeans Judy Davis and Sam Neill, teamed for the first time since My Brilliant Career in 1979. Television has often been accused of turning heroes and heroines into larger-than-life figures but this telefilm, paradoxically, underplays its heroine - Mary Lindell, an Englishwoman living in Nazi-occupied Paris who operated a successful escape route for Allied airmen (dubbed the 'Marie Claire line'). While her exploits and courage are impressive, it's difficult to be won over by Ms Lindell as played by Davis, who makes her rather bossy and lacking in humour. What is missing is biographical background on this unlikely and little-known heroine. Why was she living in France? And why was she so willing to risk not only her own life, but also the lives of her two children (played well by Kate Beckinsale and Christien Anholt)? Still, someone had to do it so sit back and enjoy this fast-paced, tense and worthy drama.


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