MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE - #121 The Field 1971

 

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Prod.: Laurence Heath
Writer: Judy Burns and Wesley Lau
Dir.: Reza S. Badiyi

Jim Phelps: Peter Graves
Paris: Leonard Nimoy
Dana Lambert: Lesley (Ann) Warren
Barney Collier: Greg Morris
Willy Armitage: Peter Lupus

Arthur Norris: Denny Miller
General Marin: Barry Atwater
Captain Storm: H. M. Wynant
Detective Rab: Michael Baseleon
Inspector Koder: Milton Selzer

 

A satellite containing thermonuclear bombs was launched from a foreign power. The aim is to blackmail countries because each bomb has got the power to destroy any big city on earth. It is controlled from an island which is top secured by a huge minefield around the control center from where the minefield is controlled as well, only accessible by helicopter. The minefield was designed by an American, Arthur Norris

Both control systems were installed and later the crew operating it now moved in. This gives the IMF a chance: Arthur Morris is not known by the staff. The IMF is in possession of the mine field plans and Paris is prepared well to take over as Arthur Norris without disguise. He expects a phone call soon and receives it, after Barney has landed on the island via submarine and caused some bombs to detonate. The staff without the minefield specialist could not find out about the cause of the detonation and phones in Arthur Morris for help. 

While Paris is flown in the real Arthur Morris is cared for by the IMF. He is made unconscious by Jim, Dana and Doug. Unfortunately Katherine Berat, Arthur Norris' girlfriend, was found dead so that Detective Rab and Inspector Koder (who knows how Norris looks like) are looking for Norris as the prime suspect – in his apartment. Quickly the three IMFers hide the unconscious Norris and themselves. As the officers search the apartment they discuss the case: The murder weapon has not been found and Mrs. Berat's handbag is missing. The IMF learns that Norris is the prime suspect in the murder case of Katherine Berat who was an agent and was working on Norris, who has betrayed his country. He is suspected to have found out about it and then killed her. 

Paris landed on the island long ago and ordered the section of the field where the explosions have taken place to be switched off. General Martin reacting in objection, Captain Storm in favor of the newcomer. Barney now moves across the minefield with the help of a device which clearly indicates that the field is switched off. He penetrates the center and reprograms the satellite. The satellite is now to burn in the atmosphere. On his way back through the minefield Barney suddenly notices that the indication-lights show: The field is active! He goes down to wait, afraid of any wrong move which might cause a mine to go off. In some time the satellite would burn and the field would be lit in search for any intruder. 

You are under arrest for murder

The mine field has been reactivated after Paris had been arrested for murder and taken back to the mainland. Detective Rab questions him: Why did he kill Katherine Berat? Paris does not deny having seen her that night, but states that she was pretty alive when he had left. The IMF has to hurry. Inspector Koder should not get there, before Paris is free, since he would be able to detect Paris as a pretender. But Rab has got a witness who knows that Norris has killed Katherine Berat: Dana. 

I did not kill her

Dana comes in and is desperate. She cannot look into Arthur Norris' eyes when she witnesses to have seen Arthur killing Katherine. She has followed him to his apartment and seen him while he carried her out - dead. Sitting opposite each other they look into each other's eyes and Dana confesses that she still loves him very much. Arthur/Paris asks her not to lie. She braekes out in tears and repeats that she loves him, giving him time to think ... "why did you follow me to the apartment?" She repeats that she loves him, she still loves him. Now he can challenge her: She was envious. "No, no, no", she cries, "I love you!" 

They understand each other perfectly. He goes on mercilessly: "You killed her, because you were jealous!" She denies, crying more and more and Paris goes on pushing her to adm" she cries and he pushes her away in disgust. Rab who had not permitted any intervention so far, now intervenes by himself: "Where is the murder weapon?" "I've put it in the handbag, and I don't know where the handbag is!", she answers crying: "I love you, Arthur!" 

Rab has her arrested. She is safeguarded out by policeman Doug. Rab tries to excuse himself for his wrong accusations, but is interrupted by Paris who's only concern now is to get Barney out: He must phone to prevent all mines to explode if the certain section is not shut down immediately. General Marin is informed and Paris orders the section to be shut down. It immediately is. This shows on Barney’s device. Relieved, he makes his way to the submarine before the sabotage on the satellite is noticed.