I honestly can't get my head around anyone who thinks this is worthy of anything under 8. Folk saying about bad directorship or anything along those lines are thick as s##t! It's more an expose than a typical documentary but that's because it had so many hidden cameras. What were you expecting? Some beautiful cinematography?! This guy spent 10 years of his life on the line and people are giving it 1 star. Unbelievable. For anyone with half a brain I fully recommend this. Stunning.
44 Reviews
Amazing stuff, once more Walraff Brügger
OJT12 October 2020
Mads Brügger is better than ever when he uses others as walraff mole to uncover the nasty secrets of North Korea and their disiples.
I was tied to the screen for every second of this, and if you ever thought that the North Korean regime was up to any good, you'll learn better from this.
This is very important work, and kudos to the two moles.
Fantastic work, and important work for world human community.
A really great documentary about corruption and power! A MUST SEE!
freddy_at_home18 October 2020
I must say I enjoyed this documentary very much. Exciting to learn about North Korea and how it all works, going around the system and international laws. It's like "I can't believe" how easy that sounds. If I had some million Euro or Dollars, I could be part of a lot of shady stuff. It's just very interesting.
They got so much info, video and photos, I'm impressed. They really did a great job, all involved. I found the "Mr. James" guy especially exciting. He did the part like an award winning actor. He looked the part, had the right part and skillset. Impressive!
Also the retired chef, such a natural calm, kinda geeky and "boring" guy, living his life, just being undercover for so long. Doing all that. That dude is a lot tougher than he looks. Respect!
This is ABSOLUTELY worth a watch! Great from beginning to end 10/10
They got so much info, video and photos, I'm impressed. They really did a great job, all involved. I found the "Mr. James" guy especially exciting. He did the part like an award winning actor. He looked the part, had the right part and skillset. Impressive!
Also the retired chef, such a natural calm, kinda geeky and "boring" guy, living his life, just being undercover for so long. Doing all that. That dude is a lot tougher than he looks. Respect!
This is ABSOLUTELY worth a watch! Great from beginning to end 10/10
Reality beats fiction
Bessamo11 October 2020
Once again Mads Brügger demonstrates how reality beats fiction. I the beginning I found it too constructed, with a debriefing and the instructors voice over. But as the story unfolded, I have to agree that the narrated style worked well. Then I just watched in amazement and disbelief.
An unbelievable story
OostAs25 December 2020
A inside look in Nort Korea's desperate attempts to make money on international drug and weapons deals.
The lack of scrutiny on the part of the North Korean officials in verifying the identity of the mole and especially the actor makes it hard to believe this really happened. But it seem to be real events that we see unfolding judging on the endless amount of footage of the meetings and Brugger's history of documentary making.
It's more thrumming than any Bond movie.
If there was no video footage, no one would believe it happened
quasi111127 October 2020
It's just that crazy. If this was the plot to a film you'd probably have critics saying the plot was too far-fetched for the film to be enjoyable.
The happenings uncovered by these two fearless Danish men are- quite literally at times- unbelievable, and it's that precisely that makes this such an enthralling and jaw-dropping watch.
Truly seismic and really hope it gets the recognition it deserves.
The happenings uncovered by these two fearless Danish men are- quite literally at times- unbelievable, and it's that precisely that makes this such an enthralling and jaw-dropping watch.
Truly seismic and really hope it gets the recognition it deserves.
Another masterpiece from Mads Brügger
mikkelzib12 October 2020
Super interesting and exciting film
friendshipjohn18 December 2020
I just watched the first episode of this documentary film on the Dutch TV network NPO and fell immediately in love with it. It is a super interesting film to me. Like some other reviews said, "reality beats the fiction", I also have the same feeling. I like the way the documentary is made, without passing judgements (no one can stay absolutely impartial, but i think this movie did a good job), only recording what happened. I think the director also did a great job in making this into a very interesting and exciting real-life thriller. I understand that some people doubt the authenticity of this film, (well, it is common that people doubt about everything, toch?). I can only tell from my own experience. I was born and grew up in China, we heard quite often of the stories of our neighbour and one of our best buddies (if we have any)--North Korea. And during my study of international relations at the university, I did some research and wrote an article about the North Korea, plus what i have heard from my parents and what i watched on news and other documentaries, I personally found the story quite convincing and authentic. And last but not least, the mole, and the rest of the film team, is so daring of making this film happen. I would definetely recommend this film to you.
Horrifying, thrilling, impressive!
william-eugensson29 October 2020
Some parts of the project is really mind boggling. You need to watch this documentary! The guts of Mr james and the Mole is just terrific. Some of the best reveals in a non-fictional film peice I have seen. Also, a great depiction of North Korea and how they deal in the west.
Mads Brügger - Someone we all should be proud of
danielstorm199312 October 2020
I still can't 100% believe that was non fiction
nickjackson-4072613 October 2020
I rarely tend to review on here, and maybe I'll reflect on this review having posted during yet another moment of midweek lockdown malaise, but my initial reaction is that I can't recall ever watching a documentary with such a mixture of incredulity and respect for the 2 protagonists. Apart from them demonstrating serious cohones, the director has produced an important 2 hours, during which I sat mostly open mouthed.
This is the Most Incredible Documentary I've Ever Watched!
ashley-elson-191-92469313 October 2020
I'm not a critic. All I can say is, if you want to see an undercover spy operation with real footage, watch this!
The adrenalin you feel is real. Imagine the adrenalin and fear you'd have felt if you were the one doing it for 10 years straight.
Absolutely incredible bravery and commitment from Ulrich & Mr James - who is the most incredible person I've ever seen at work!
No spoilers - just watch it and you'll see for yourself. You couldn't make it up!
The adrenalin you feel is real. Imagine the adrenalin and fear you'd have felt if you were the one doing it for 10 years straight.
Absolutely incredible bravery and commitment from Ulrich & Mr James - who is the most incredible person I've ever seen at work!
No spoilers - just watch it and you'll see for yourself. You couldn't make it up!
Documentary Thriller
Pairic14 October 2020
The Mole: Undercover in North Korea(2020): Great documentary about a ten year mission by a mole to infiltrate North Korea's Friendship Association and move from that to exposing NK by setting up fake arms and oil deals. Some interesting characters like the down at heel Spanish aristocrat who lead the World KFA, he gets to wear a general's uniform when he's in NK. The real star is the ordinary Danish guy who was the mole, carrying a secret camera at ties but often openly filming meetings as he was trusted. On BBC. 8/10.
This seems to have hit a nerve.
theredmare20 December 2020
I needn't go over the story again here, it's utterly gripping, but I am just posting this review to say that *every single account* that has reviewed this documentary as propaganda and fiction has been created in October 2020 and this was their first or unique contribution to imdb. I checked because I am naturally suspicious and I also immediately noticed an unnatural amount of thumbs down on positive reviews, for a documentary that highly rated.
Draw your own conclusions.
Seems like fiction, but is "edge of seat" real
kim_engman14 October 2020
Mads Brügger has a nag for getting us, as viewers, feeling immersed in his documentaries. You literally sit at the edge of your seat.
His "victims" in them, often seem clown-like and involuntary comedians as Mads Brügger slowly but steadily spins his web around a sometimes pre-defined narrative.
In the case of "The Mole", Mads Brügger and his two enormously brave, key accomplices, did not have a story from the outset, but instead saw the narrative develop over the span of an incredible 10 years!
What patience from Mads Brügger!
What courage from Ulrich Larsen, a young pensioner that did something very few of us will ever get to do; Create a historic legacy. His wife will surely forgive him (see the end)!
And what incredible forgiveness for all past sins we feel from watching Mr. James (an ex-French Foreign Legionary and convicted cocain-dealer to the rich and famous). He's a damn, perfect fit for the role as Mr. James!
As of a few days after release, already the UN have asked all three to bear witness before UN Security Council. What higher achievement could you ask for?
Extraordinary Documentary
ue-5366016 October 2020
Extraordinary and very powerful documentary about North Korea and the corrupted world of international sanctions. The mole but also the incredible 'Mr James' are both very likeable, fearless and courageous. Hat off for these two guys.
Chilling
emilie_frost19 October 2020
Amazing
cmathiassendk12 October 2020
Just wow.
klaramarieclemmensen15 October 2020
Left me speechless afterwards. This is one of those times where reality is crazier than fiction. I don't wanna spoil anything, but if you wanna see a spy, in action with hidden cameras infiltrating one of the most closed of countries in the world, then this is for you.
Gripping documentary that plays like a cold-war spy movie
fishermensmell5 March 2021
This was really gripping stuff. The film follows 10+ years of undercover surveillance as "the Mole" penetrates a network of North Korean power brokers, eventually leading to multi-million international arms and drug deals. It really does play like a 70s cold war spy movie, except everything you are seeing is real and happening as recently as 2020.
To frame the documentary, the footage is contained within "debriefing" segments that allow some narration by the filmmaker, and also for an ex-MI5 agent to pose some questions to the Mole and his collaborator "Mr James". This felt a bit contrived and missed an opportunity to delve and probe further into the mindset of the Mole. A tacked-on scene at the end dealing with his reintegration into everyday life seemed superficial and I was left wanting to know more about this man who had risked so much. Was it on a whim? For escapism? Or a genuine drive to expose a corrupt regime? This questions was only ever briefly alluded to.
Ultimately, the footage is pretty incredible and the story they uncovered can stand on its own merits Fascinating and heart-topping at times, this almost needs to be seen to be believed.
To frame the documentary, the footage is contained within "debriefing" segments that allow some narration by the filmmaker, and also for an ex-MI5 agent to pose some questions to the Mole and his collaborator "Mr James". This felt a bit contrived and missed an opportunity to delve and probe further into the mindset of the Mole. A tacked-on scene at the end dealing with his reintegration into everyday life seemed superficial and I was left wanting to know more about this man who had risked so much. Was it on a whim? For escapism? Or a genuine drive to expose a corrupt regime? This questions was only ever briefly alluded to.
Ultimately, the footage is pretty incredible and the story they uncovered can stand on its own merits Fascinating and heart-topping at times, this almost needs to be seen to be believed.
Highly recommend
stylss31 May 2022
Unbelievable, important, bold, immersive, fascinating, well-made, and just stunning.
Both Ulrich (The Mole) and Mr. James have some serious guts to pull this spy mission off for over ten years all while secretly filming it.
Both Ulrich (The Mole) and Mr. James have some serious guts to pull this spy mission off for over ten years all while secretly filming it.
One of the best documentaries ever
fabiokeller20 October 2020
A real life James Bond movie!
malthekrogh-9350917 October 2020
Insane good Work
mgkedy6 November 2020
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