Private Schulz

50min

Comedy

Drama

Private Schulz is a BBC television comedy drama serial set mostly in Germany, during and immediately after World War II. It stars Michael Elphick in the title role and Ian Richardson playing various parts. Other notable actors included Tony Caunter, Billie Whitelaw, Billy Murray and Mark Wingett. Over six one-hour episodes, it tells the story of a German fraudster and petty criminal who is forced against his will to serve in the SS. In a story based on the real, though unrealised, plot by the Germans known as Operation Bernhard, he tricks the Nazis into making counterfeit British five pound notes, millions of which will be used to destroy the British economy. However, Schulz is primarily interested in stealing them. Other elements of the story based on the history of the period include the Venlo incident, when two British intelligence officers were abducted from the Netherlands at the very start of the war, and Salon Kitty. This was a Berlin brothel which was secretly run by the SD, for the purpose of spying on its wealthy clients, who were often prominent German government officials or military officers. Additionally, many of the main characters are real people.

Episodes

Cast

Part One

1. Part One

50min

6th May 1981

Schulz, doing time for fraud in Spandau prison, gets released in 1939 but once war breaks out he finds himself mistakenly recruited into SS Counterintelligence.

Part Two

2. Part Two

50min

13th May 1981

Schulz's forgery talents are put to use in creating counterfeit British banknotes which the Germans hope will bankrupt the British economy.

Part Three

3. Part Three

50min

20th May 1981

In May of 1940, Schulz parachutes into Great Britain with 2 million pounds in counterfeit currency, which he is supposed to spend in an attempt to undermine the British economy.

Part Four

4. Part Four

50min

27th May 1981

Schulz once again comes under the command of Major Neuheim but this bad news is offset when he gets a chance at one million pounds.

Part Five

5. Part Five

50min

3rd Jun 1981

After serving two years in a military prison, Schulz gets reunited with his old gang of forgers just in time for the end of the war.

Part Six

6. Part Six

50min

10th Jun 1981

After the war ends Schulz finds himself destitute but then he discovers and old map which might hold the key to a fortune.

First air date

6th May 1981

Last air date

10th Jun 1981

Status

Ended

Type

Scripted

Original language

en

Networks