This BBC drama series was based on events in the infamous World War II German POW camp. It was inspired by both the 1954 film of the same name and the war time memoirs of Major Pat Reid, who had been imprisoned there at the time.

Twenty eight episodes were produced over the shows two seasons. The first season largely set the scene showing how the main protagonists had arrived to be at Colditz. The British continence in Colditz was under the reluctant command of Lt Colonel John Preston,  while the unnamed camp Kommandant was played by Bernard Hepton, who was to leave at the end of the first season, being replaced by the not so civilized Major Horst of the SS, played by Anthoney Valentine. Other Cast members included David McCallum and Robert Wagner.

Although no products were produced directly relating to the series , it does however seem an odd coincidence, that around the same time, several different products appeared relating to the POW camp, Colditz.