The 1961 entry "The Mirror" was obviously inspired by real-life figure Fidel Castro and the Cuban Revolution. Writer and creator Rod Serling was a fervent anti-communist and equally despised authoritarian rulers. In this story, a newly-installed military dictator named Ramos Clemente in a fictitious Latin America country is played by an over-the-top Peter Falk. To say that Clemente is a little power-hungry would be an understatement. Upon his ruthless ascendancy, he is introduced to a very strange mirror by the outgoing general (a cynical Will Kuluva) who guarantees that its reflections can expose Clemente's enemies merely by standing in front of it. Soon, Clemente is spotting spies and counter-revolutionaries by the dozens and he begins ordering non-stop executions to satisfy his thirst for power. In no time at all, Clemente runs out of allies and becomes the victim of his own delusional and maniacal behavior. It all sounds interesting but the story is presented with little room for any real tension and General Clemente's quick demise is a bit too obvious from the start.
Directed by TV veteran Don Medford and written by Serling, "The Mirror" evokes a heaping dose of Cold War hysteria but isn't up to the usual high standards of this classic series. Falk does his best to fit the image and mentality of a Latin American dictator but chews up far too much scenery in the process. Kuluva is fine as his predecessor who's on his way to the firing squad. Old time actor Vladimir Sokoloff does a good job as a Catholic priest who witnesses Clemente's final desperate moments. All in all, it's still an interesting piece for viewers who would like to re-examine the historical content of the early 1960s. Back in those days, Fidel Castro and his ilk were considered real bogeymen.
Directed by TV veteran Don Medford and written by Serling, "The Mirror" evokes a heaping dose of Cold War hysteria but isn't up to the usual high standards of this classic series. Falk does his best to fit the image and mentality of a Latin American dictator but chews up far too much scenery in the process. Kuluva is fine as his predecessor who's on his way to the firing squad. Old time actor Vladimir Sokoloff does a good job as a Catholic priest who witnesses Clemente's final desperate moments. All in all, it's still an interesting piece for viewers who would like to re-examine the historical content of the early 1960s. Back in those days, Fidel Castro and his ilk were considered real bogeymen.