4 Star

Gripping Cold War Antics.

From the writer of the smash hit The Hitman’s Bodyguard and it’s sequel, Tom O’Connor brings us the story based on true events during the escalating Cold War between the USA, Britain and the USSR. Director Dominic Cooke (The Hollow Nikita KhrushchevCrown (TV Mini Series) (3 episodes)) takes us right back to the 1960s and sets the mood for this espionage tale that was pivotal to the Cuban Missile crisis when they all thought the World would go with a bag.

It is the time when Nuclear weapons have been stockpiled and mutual destruction is on the table and The USA are worried about the Russian leader Nikita Khrushchev (Vladimir Chuprikov, Cold Tango, Sheep and Wolves: Pig Deal) who is rattling his nuclear swords.

We… Will… Bury… Them!

Also in Moscow is Oleg Penkovsky (Merab Ninidze, Jupiter’s Moon, My Happy Family) who is worried about Khrushchev too. He wants to get word to the Americans, but he cannot enter the Embassy, however he finds a way to get a note inside.

Four months later the CIA are visiting MI6 in London where they are to discuss how to get the former Colonel to help them with Russian secrets. What they need is someone with a genuine cover story. That person is Greville Wynne (Benedict Cumberbatch, Black Mass, Penguins Of Madagascar, The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug) a salesman who does a lot of work in the Eastern Block, but as yet not with Russia. With some understandable trepidation over safety issues, he heads to Moscow to meet with the State Committee for Scientific Research where Oleg is the head of it and when he spots Greville’s tie pin he knows he is his contact.

After a pleasant meal, they take to the dark streets of Moscow, so they can talk in private.

Can you handle your liquor? It is my one true gift.

Oleg explains that stealing Western technology is a part of his job, so coming to the UK won’t be a problem. So he and a delegation come to the UK to be shown around engineering factories before Oleg gets to meet the CIA and MI6 to confirm that Khrushchev wants conflict.

Over time, Oleg and Greville form a strong bond, and they work well together but they both have to hide secrets from their loved ones, and when you have strayed before there is always suspicion just around the corner.

Always think everyone you meet is KGB, everyone.

With the World at stake, what would you do for your Country?

Cumberbatch plays a blinder in this tense post-war drama. Well worth a place on your spy thriller shelf.

The Courier is on digital 29 October and Blu-ray & DVD 1 November from Lionsgate UK