Reilly - Ace of Spies
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Movie Reviews of Reilly - Ace of Spies
Movie Review: The operation trust
Summary: 5 Stars
I just got the " Ace of Spies" 4 CDs from my library and watched it with great interest.
I was born in Russia, I speak russian and back in late 60 ties the Russian TV made 4 parts series named "Operation Trest". Somehow russian translators could not interpret the word Trust correctly. Of course the 4 TV black & white mini series were made from the Soviet point of view, without Stalin, Artuzov was in charge, etc. but these mini series they were good at that time.
I could say that British made 12 part miniseries are thousand times better and more impressive. The actors are excellent, the British setting is very natural. The only negative thing is that Russian scenes does not look very russian. There is a lack of background of the cities such as Moscow and St. Petersbourg. Of course, at that time during film production in 1983 the filmakers could not easily access the Soviet Union. Another thing that all officers of the soviet secret police incuding Stalin are wearing the medal of the " Hero of the Soviet Union ". This medal had been established during World War -II and has nothing to do with the 1925 era. Also some russian military uniforms looks funny. The makers of the film should invite expatriated russian
military experts to consult during production.
To conclude my short note I like to say this is very great movie. I enjoyed the British English, dialect, accent, intonation. The quality of DVDs are OK. They were transfered from VHS to DVDs. Just remember the bygone era when we watched TVs.
Movie Review: A shadowy figure
Summary: 5 Stars
Based on the real-life experiences of Sidney Reilly, a spy who worked for the British Secret Service at the beginning of the 20th Century, this is a look at real espionage at its best. Reilly operated in Hamburg, Port Arthur, the Caucasus, St. Petersburg and Moscow and had many adventures in the service. Of course, his activities prior to 1918 pale when compared to his role in an attempt to overthrow the Bolshevik government. Had it been successful Reilly would have ended up as the ruler of Russia himself.
The acting is superb and the plot keeps drawing you in. A fascinating program, one I can't recommend highly enough. Just remember that while this is a great story, based on history, it is still a story and not necessarily history. It probably wouldn't be nearly as interesting had it been closer to the mark. Plus, some incidents are just speculative while others have been changed to make them more melodramatic (at one point a victim is shot by the CHEKA in some elaborate scenario, but in fact the secret police simply shot you in the head with a pistol, as is portrayed elsewhere in the series).
This is how you wish history was. For how it REALLY was, there is a short documentary on the last disc which shows that Reilly was not the dapper hero he is shown in the series.
Movie Review: Aces!
Summary: 5 Stars
One always wonders about books and movies dealing with spies. I mean, after all the whole schtick is about secrets isn't it...so how does anyone really know what a given spy's life was like? That said, when a friend of mine mentioned another series I thought immediately of the great A&E series featuring Reilly, Ace of Spies. And once I'd brought that memory to mind I found I could not get the theme music out of my head. Haunting stuff. So I bought the set and watched all 12 episodes over the three days following its arrival. The documentary included with the DVD set (which I'd not seen before) did a good job of convincing me (though frankly I didn't really care) the series was probably as true to Sigmund Rosenblum's life as it was possible to get within the need to create dramatic impact. And dramatic impact is a faint phrase to use for these productions. From Sam Neill through darn near ever player one gets top-notch performances that leave little to be desired. I can't speak too highly of the collection.
The one "problem" I have with this set is that it messes with anything in the way of a schedule I might want to keep in my life. Once I've cued up the first episode I simply have to watch them all. And I find I do that quite often. Aces!
Movie Review: an excellent dramatisation of an extraordinary life..
Summary: 5 Stars
I had never heard of Sydney Reilly, Britain's Ace of Spies, before watching this series, but am now looking for all the books about him that I can find. This really well-made series about the life of a man whose real-life exploits beggar those of the fictional James Bond is absolutely riveting. Reilly(real name Sigmund Rosenblum, a Russian Jewish emigre from Odessa) is a fascinating character--highly intelligent; amoral yet capable of inspiring great friendships; brave yet careful; secretive yet often daring to the point of recklessness. He was involved in so many plots and was instrumental in so much that went on in espionage, and world events, in the early part of the 20th century--it is amazing, really, considering what one man could do, in those days. You can't imagine one spy making such a difference in modern times..
It's all beautifully done and acted--and the superlative Sam Neill, with his controlled elegance and deep gaze is the perfect actor to take on a demanding and complex role. Highly recommended!
Incidentally, in 2002, papers released by Britain's spy agency, and dating from that time, prove pretty conclusively that Reilly was shot on the orders of Stalin himself.
Movie Review: New Lies for Old
Summary: 5 Stars
If you have wondered why since the supposed collapse of the Soviet Union (December 1991) ALL the presidents/chief executives of the republics that made up the Soviet Union have at one time been communists back in the days of the Soviet Union (some still being communist) and why the Russian airforce still has the communist symbol of the red star on its aircraft, then you will want to buy or rent Reilly - Ace of Spies and pay particular attention to the last several episodes where Sidney Reilly is assigned by the British Secret Intelligence Service to find out if the Trust (an organization claiming to be the de facto government in Russia despite the fact that the Bolsheviks are the de jure ruling body) is a Bolshevik front organization, set up to weaken the West's attempts to bring down the struggling, embryonic Bolshevik government. What Reilly finds out about the Trust back in 1925 may have implications for today in regards to the 'former' USSR.