THE COURIER
UK, 2020, 112 minutes, Colour.
Benedict Cumberbatch, Merab Ninidze, Rachel Brosnahan, Jesse Buckley, Angus Wright, Anton Lesser.
Directed by Dominic Cooke.
This is a 60 years retrospect. The action takes place in the early 1960s – the atmosphere of the times, Cold War, tension between the Soviet Union in the US, nuclear acceleration, Russian planting missiles in Cuba facing the US, the October 1962 missiles crisis. The film offers an opportunity to reflect on those times, the potential consequences, subsequent history, the collapse of the Soviet Union, 21st century relationships between the US and Russia.
For some, this might be a visit to what one could call John Le Carre territory, British espionage, Cold War undercover, relationship with the Americans, possible Soviet defections.
And, it is based on actual characters and events – with a welcome clip before the final credits of an interview with the central character, British salesmen and businessmen, Greville Wynne.
The initial focus is on Nikita Kruschev, sequences of his ranting to the Soviet authorities, his eagerness to develop nuclear weapons. Amongst the audience is a war hero, Oleg Penkovsky, played by long-time Russian actor, Meran Nidinze, credible in the role of an official with access to military information, who is dismayed by Kruschev, wants peace and is prepared to send information to the UK and the US.
Which leads to the courier of the title. MI6 and the US receive a message from Ben cops and decide that the best way to get information from him is to get a non-political businessmen to promote his company in Russia, travel frequently, make contact with Penkovsky (wearing a tie pin that is the indication for contact), befriend him, received documentation and deliver it – without knowing any detail of what the documentation contained. The liaison is with a CIA agent, played by Rachel Brosnahan, who is controlled by CIA chiefs in Washington.
Benedict Cumberbatch is at his best as Greville Wynne, initially surprised by the proposal, going through with it, becoming very friendly with Penkovsky, welcoming a Russian trade delegation to London, inviting Penkovsky, to a meal with his family.
Most of us are unfamiliar with the outcome of Greville Wynne’s activities and the fate of Oleg Penkovsky. We are led into the world of KGB suspicions, surveillance, poisonings, arrests, imprisonment, cruel prison conditions.
On the other hand, there is Wynne’s relationship with his wife, Sheila (another good role for Jessie Buckley), his secrecy, gradual Revelation Is – and his being seen as something of a British hero.
For older audiences, some of whom lived through these episodes, it is a fascinating retrospect. For younger audiences, it serves as an introduction to the tensions of the Cold War and a reminder that at all times there are similar kinds of espionage activities taking place – and now.
1. Based on actual events and characters? The clip of Wynne before the final credits?
2. A cold war story? The early 1960s? The Kruschev era? The Kennedy era? Nuclear tensions? World supremacy? Cuba, the Cuban crisis? The dangers of the time? Seen in retrospect?
3. The focus on Kruschev, his speeches, August 1960, the threats, nuclear weapons? The applause from the assembly? The focus on Penkovsky? The Berlin Wall and Kennedy’s speech? The Cuban missiles? Kruschev and his accent, Cuba? Kennedy and the 13 Days?
4. The character of Penkovsky, his war heroism and decorations, reputation, his position, affirmation by Kruschev (the nod at the ballet)? On a personal level, his wife and daughter, accommodation? On the ideological level? Opposed to Kruschev, nuclear weapons, wanting peace, the decision to give the information to the Americans, the two young men in the subway, the message, to the American embassy?
5. The American response, the information, documents, the meeting between Emily and MI6, the discussions, the strategy for contact with Penn Koski? To choose a salesman, not politically connected, to act as a courier, not knowing details of the political issues?
6. The introduction to Greville Wynne, the golf course, missing the put on purpose, business? Personality, age, drinking, the past marital betrayal and forgiveness? Wife and son? The domestic sequences?
7. Wynne and his meeting with Emily (as Helen), MI6, the discussions, the gradual proposal? His complying? Wearing the pin? The plan for business expansion in the Soviet Union? Flying to Moscow, the meetings, the pin, meeting Penkovsky?
8. The frequent visits to Russia, the growing friendship with Penovsky, the visit to the ballet, meals, talking, carrying the information?
9. The visit to London of the trade delegation, the drinking, hospitality, Penkovsky having the meal with the family? The gift for Andrew?
10. The visits to London, the increasing information about Berlin, missiles, Cuba, threats, Kennedy on television?
11. Penkovsky at home, his work, his pregnant wife? The visit by the Kremlin official? Praise for the past? His work, collapse in the office, later revealed as being poisoned? Hospital? Surveillance on Penkovsky, searching his home, the documentation?
12. Penkovskyi, his methods of getting the documentation, photographing them, giving them to Wynne, his depositing them at the embassy?
13. The issue of defection to the west, the plan, MI6 advising against, Emily and her support, Wynne ready to go back to Russia? The plan, the escape route on the map? Penkovsky preparing, his wife? Wynne back on the plane? The van, Emily pursued, taken, persona non grata? Wynne ordered off the plane?
14. Penkovsky, arrest, interrogation, the dismay of his wife and daughter? The explanation that he had been under surveillance, everything observed and filmed, tapes? His imprisonment?
15. Wynne, imprisonment, hair shaved, body search, the cell, the stench, the window? Two years of imprisonment? Interrogations, pleading innocence? The exercise, his becoming weaker, the limited food, the soup?
16. Sheila, her support of her husband, puzzled by his behaviour, the sexual episode? His moods? The camp, anger at Andrew? Suspicions? The past? Emily visiting, part revelation, part secrecy? Sheila having to feign innocence? Her friend and neighbour and the discussions? Her visit to Russia? Her giving her husband information about Cuba?
17. Penkovsky, the final visit to Wynne, supporting each other, Wynne giving him the information about Cuba, indicating his success in the moved towards backing down and peace? The news of his execution?
18. Wynne, the return home, the media? The glimpse of the actual Wynne?
19. Cold War espionage, stances of the Soviet Union, of the US, nuclear dangers, backed towns, 60 years in retrospect?
