Agent of Influence (2002)

1964. It's the height of the Cold War. Beyond the extremes of the Americans and the Soviets on opposing sides, other nations, such as Canada, are caught somewhere in the middle of the war. ... See full summary »

Director:

Michel Poulette

Writers:

Ken Chubb (story editor), Ian Adams

Stars:

Christopher Plummer, Marina Orsini, Ted Whittall

3 wins & 6 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Christopher Plummer	...	John Watkins
Marina Orsini	...	Diane Fletcher
Ted Whittall	...	Robert Madison
Shaun Johnston	...	David Present
Kurtis Sanheim	...	Sean Fitzpatrick
Alain Goulem	...	Murray Fletcher
Terry Lawrence	...	Chris Hayden
Paul Coeur	...	Charles Adair
Gregory Hlady	...	Gregory Aloysha
Cas Anvar	...	Khamal Rashid
Norman Edge	...	Fletcher Sr.
Pierre Rivard	...	Mario Béliveau
Al Holt	...	Charles Blackburn
Doug MacLeod	...	James Jesus Angleton (as Douglas MacLeod)
John Dunn-Hill	...	Andrei Gromyko

Storyline

1964. It's the height of the Cold War. Beyond the extremes of the Americans and the Soviets on opposing sides, other nations, such as Canada, are caught somewhere in the middle of the war. James Watkins is the Canadian Ambassador to the Soviet Union, and is a personal friend of the Canadian Prime Minister, Nobel Laureate Lester B. Pearson, that friendship the only reason why Watkins took the job in which he would have no interest otherwise. The CIA believes Watkins is working for the Soviets, although they have no conclusive evidence, which they promise to the RCMP they are working on getting. While the Americans want Canadian action taken to neutralize Watkins with or without that evidence, certain factions within Canadian authority see things differently. Inspector David Present, Director of the RCMP's KGB desk, wants to see that evidence from the CIA before taking any action against Watkins, Present who brings in his own biases of the times not directly related to spying per se. ...

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Plot Keywords:

cold war | cia | espionage | canadian soviet relations | canadian russian relations | 

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Genres:

Crime | Drama

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Details

Country:

Canada

Language:

English Romany French Russian

Release Date:

June 2002 (Canada)

Also Known As:

Cortina di ferro

Filming Locations:

Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Company Credits

Production Co:

Agent Productions,Alberta Filmworks,Alliance Atlantis Communications

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Soundtracks

Unchain My Heart
Written by Bobby Sharp and Teddy Powell
Used with the permission of B-Sharp Music Company

User Reviews

CIA tries to frame John Watkins, Canadian ambassador to Russia under the Pearson government.

Engrossing and frightening expose of the unprincipled tactics of the CIA, in dealing with the RCMP to hunt down possible double agents among Canadian diplomats in Lester Pearson's circle. The true story of John Watkin's tragic death finally surfaces - how a good man is sacrificed by "commie hunters". Herbert Norman and Watkins were hounded by the CIA during the cold war, and even their friend Prime Minister Lester Pearson couldn't save them.

How timely for CTV to air this when Canada has the courage not to back the U.S. unilateral invasion of Iraq. This TV movie explains better than any lecture the roots of the tensions between the US and Canada in international affairs.

Terrific performance by Christopher Plummer as Watkins, a sophisticated homosexual whose deep sense of decency is finally recognized by the RCMP officer interrogating him. Effective direction by Michel Poulette.