Ricardo Montalban, who was once compared to Rudolph Valentino, said he found it difficult to return to villainous roles after starring in FANTASY ISLAND. He often had to watch clips of his old screen appearances for show prep.
However, this episode, long before that tv series, shows how versatile he could be, and what a dynamic actor. Actually, Montalban had just appeared in an episode of STAR TREK as the evil Khan (which would later become a blockbuster movie), and that role probably lead to this appearance.
Montalban plays Sefra, the dictator slash commander of an inhumane prison called Boradur, now closed --but he's still there with some loyal guards. The creep belongs where he is, however there's another problem. Sefra has somehow gained access to Cesium 138, a powerful explosive and also has memorized its composition.
That, in itself, is a bit over the top... but the story continues. The writers do, in fact, make a mistake here as Cesium 138 can only explode under water and burns in the air. Still, it's one powerful
explosive to get your hands on, and actually looks like gold and is worth more. It's fascinating how villains like this so easily get explosives, dangerous chemicals, deadly bacteria, etc, etc. In the first place. Right??
The IMF team naturally wants to eliminate Sefra ASAP, this time using Barney (Greg Morris) as the pawn. Morris does a terrific job as a prisoner who Sefra is very much interested in, not to mention the racial tension that comes to full boil in this story.
Director Lee H. Katzin works his magic as usual, the master of so many outstanding tv movies of the week in the 70s, in addition to some classic big screen material, such as the exciting racing documentary LE MANS, starring Steve McQueen. If Katzin directed it, you know it was going to be cool.
This was the only episode written by Judith and Robert Guy Barrows, a popular husband and wife team who wrote stories for several top tv shows.
This was a super script, and they put a lot of imagination into it to their credit.
Watch this for some top drawer acting, especially Greg Morris for a change of pace. Not to be missed.
From SEASON 1 remastered Paramount dvd box set.