"Reilly: Ace of Spies" (1983) TV mini-series

Seasons:

1

Release Date:

5 September 1983 (UK)

Genre:

Crime | Drama | Mystery | Thriller

Tagline:

The amazing true story of the world's first international super spy [DVD]

Plot:

A dramatization of the missions and adventures of the greatest spy in British history.

Plot Keywords:

Spy | Russia | Russo Japanese War | Manchuria | England

Awards:

Nominated for Golden Globe. Another 1 win & 8 nominations

Cast

Sam Neill	...	Reilly / ... (12 episodes, 1983)
Michael Bryant	...	Narrator (11 episodes, 1983)
Norman Rodway	...	Cummings (10 episodes, 1983)
Tom Bell	...	Dzerzhinsky (6 episodes, 1983)
Hugh Fraser	...	Hill (6 episodes, 1983)
Jeananne Crowley	...	Margaret (5 episodes, 1983)
Clive Merrison	...	Savinkov (5 episodes, 1983)

Runtime:

UK:720 min (12 parts)

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Certification:

Australia:PG (some episodes) | UK:12 (DVD rating) | UK:15 (DVD rating) | Australia:M (some episodes)

Filming Locations:

Elstree Studios, Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, England, UK

Company:

Euston Films

Goofs:

Factual errors: Nadia Massino did not marry Alfred Nobel - he died a bachelor in 1896 and according to the series, Reilly met her in the 20th century. Feliz Dzerzhinsky never met Reilly, and did not carry out the interrogation or execution. Reilly also was not connected with the forged letter that toppled the British government.

Quotes:

Mrs. Fried: Live for the present, die for the future.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Sinister Urge (#7.13)" (1994)

Even better than I remember

Back in 1983, my wife and myself watched a 12 part series on TV. My wife thought it was very good. I thought it was excellent. The leading roll was played by an actor named Sam Neil who played the master spy Sidney Reilly as if he were made for the part.

For two decades, I spoke about this series and spent the last of these years waiting for the DVD.

Well, we've viewed the four disk DVD set and I can tell you that Reilly Ace of Spies is even better than I remembered. My wife (a critical reviewer) was just as impressed... far more so than she was some two decades ago.

I won't go into a plot explanation of this series because you can read the bio of Sigmund Rosenblum (aka Sidney Reilly) in many movie reviews and several books. What I can say is that the series very closely parallels what was written about him.

Worthy of note is the acting of Sam Neil, who reached his acting peak in this initial major work.

Mr. Neil (not normally known for his dynamic theatrical presence) played his roll with a versatility that moved easily from calm sophistication to blistering intensity. Keep track of his eyes. They speak with a communicative clarity that he has rarely been equaled.

I'm giving this DVD series a never bestowed (by me) 10 out of 10. A Must see and a classic work.