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The Unending Battle

Episode 2 of 3

The realities of WWII strike home when the dashing and adored Tom Mitford returns unexpectedly on leave. Stars Tom Mison.

by Christopher William Hill

It's 1944 and James Lees-Milne - and the National Trust - have returned to London. Comfortably accommodated in a flat in Cheyne Walk, Lees-Milne is attempting to secure a nearby property to house the musical collection of Boer War veteran, Major Benton Fletcher. Late one night, whilst trying to telephone a friend, Lees-Milne has a crossed line and makes the acquaintance of an anonymous woman. A friendship grows over the telephone wires, but at the woman's insistence they both keep their identities secret. When Lees-Milnes's childhood friend Tom Mitford returns unexpectedly from the continent, a sexual attraction is reawakened. Tom, however, has been a committed red-blooded male since Eton and is now determined to settle down after the war and raise a family - expecting James to help him sift through a list of potential wives. Tom is now a realist in love, but Lees-Milne is still an idealist. When disaster strikes, Lees-Milne must rely on the mysterious woman at the end of the telephone more than ever before.

Produced & directed by Marion Nancarrow

The three plays star Tobias Menzies (Rome; Game of Thrones ) as James Lees-Milne and Victoria Hamilton (Lark Rise to Candleford; Victoria & Albert) as the novelist Nancy Mitford and chart four years during the war when Lees-Milne was at his most industrious in trying to secure properties for the National Trust. In this play, Joseph Mison (Salmon Fishing in the Yemen; Lost in Austen) stars as Tom Mitford.

45 minutes

Last on

Tue 19 Jun 2018 21:15

Credits

Role Contributor
James Lees-Milne Tobias Menzies
Nancy Mitford Victoria Hamilton
Tom Mitford Tom Mison
Major Benton Fletcher Sean Murray
Woman Philippa Stanton
Girl Philippa Stanton
Neighbour Joanna Brookes
2nd Operator Joanna Brookes
Post Official David Seddon
Operator Hannah Wood
Director Marion Nancarrow
Producer Marion Nancarrow
Writer Christopher William Hill

Broadcasts

  • Tue 9 Jul 2013 14:15
  • Mon 18 Jan 2016 14:15
  • Tue 19 Jun 2018 11:15
  • Tue 19 Jun 2018 21:15

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