Cambridge Spies (Dbl DVD)

This fine BBC docudrama depicts the lives of the four Cambridge spies from their university days, when they were recruited to do espionage work for the Soviet Union, through the defections of two of the four some twenty years later. Kim Philby, Anthony Blunt, Guy Burgess, and Donald Maclean were members of Britain's upper class elite. From prominent, well connected families, they were educated at some of the best public schools and then Cambridge University. Their minds were as brilliant as their pedigrees, and they all seemed destined for the highest levels of diplomatic, social, and political careers.Blunt and Philby, in public statements years after they were unmasked, all claimed that they became Communist spies in an attempt to better the world. You do see a little of this desire to make things better in an incident near the beginning of the film, when Burgess and Philby foment a strike by the waiters at their college, but overall the four don't seem to have had much first hand knowledge of the people whose lives they claimed to want to improve through a Communist revolution. The film does make clear the interesting point that the four were able to go about their espionage efforts for many years precisely because they were priviledged, elite people who knew all the right things to say and had entree into the highest circles. The proverbial old boys club was hard at work for these four, and they knew it and used it.At times the film seems to overglamourize the four, toning down the more sordid aspects of their lives (except in the case of the flamboyant and disreputable Guy Burgess) and barely acknowledging that they did real damage to Britain and the rest of the West through their espionage. But its a well depicted and beautifully acted dramatic reenactment of one episode in the Cold War. The extra material provided on the second DVD is interesting as well, including interviews with Blunt and Philby after their unmaskings, BBC obituaries for Philby and Maclean, and a bizarre excerpt from a film about the Queen's Gallery in Buckingham Palace, made in the 1960s and partly narrated by Blunt himself. (There's also a rather mediocre History Channel presentation about the Cambridge spies which provides a little more information about their lives and times.)

This 2003 BBC miniseries about the much-analyzed Cambridge spy ring of Burgess, Maclean, Philby and Blunt takes as sympathetic a view of the four as might be possible: they are represented as acting out of the highest ideals (a hatred for fascism and reactionary politics), and are shown to be extremely sympathetic men who suffer for their cause and who hold their friendship with one another among their highest ideals. This presents a very unusual take on the story that's rarely been seen before (except in the langurous but somewhat silly film ANOTHER COUNTRY). The production values are terrific, and some of the acting is quite good, especially from Tom Hollander, fittingly over the top as the brilliant but impossible narcissist Guy Burgess, and Samuel West, surpisingly hunky as the smooth and cautious Anthony Blount. The production values are excellent, and there are lovely cameos from Anthony Andrews as King George VI (struggling to overcome his speech impediment) and Imelda Staunton as his wife Queen Elizabeth, who slyly toys coversationally with Blount about his sexual preferences.One of the best things about this DVD package is that it comes with a one-hour documentary from the History Channel about the Cambridge spy ring that takes almost the opposite take of the mini-series, presenting the spies are mercenary and corrupt and the entire Soviet system in as negative a light as possible. (The documentary also takes affirmative stands on questions concerning the spy ring the mini-series denies, such as the possibility of John Cairncross being the group's "fifth man" and the possible bisexuality of Donald Maclean.) The documentary is so righteous and portentous in its conservative editorializing that it seems almost astonishing it postdates the fall of the Berlin Wall; nonetheless, it provides a useful balance to the extremely sympathetic view the mini-series takes of four of the most demonized Englishmen of the twentieth century.

plot: 4 Cambridge men are recruited by the KGB to spy for Russia.before the start of World War 2 The communist efforts to grow in England are busy recruiting young people to spy for the KBG and Philby, Blunt, Burgess and MacLean are decided to do it to make the world a better place against the Nazi Fascism. As they soon place themselves in the highest levels of government they continue to pass on secrets. Burgess and Blunt are openly homosexual and struggle with the loss of lovers. The degree of success is amazing since the English Class Systems makes them above suspicion. Blunt and Philby are the leaders and Burgess and MacLean become alcoholics and are soon cracking under the mental strain of being a spy. Blunt retires and is given the job for the Queen. Burgess and MacLean and Philby end up in the United States working as diplomats. The newly formed CIA slowly is decoding Soviet Messages from World War 2 they are getting closer to finding one spy~ MacLean aka Homer. MacLean and Burgess end up back in England where the decision is to defect to the Soviet Union since they are being suspected of spying and may soon be arrested. Their emergence in Moscow has everyone looking at their best friend~ Kim Philby. Philby is sent to the middle east where he continues to claim he is innocent but eventually he also defects. Blunt who is under suspicion makes a 'plea deal of immunity" when he gives up the stories of Burgess, MacLean and Philby. This is an excellent look at each spy. How when they start spying they have to continue. The scene stealer here is Tom Holland who plays the brilliant drunkard gay Burgess perfect. This is a well done movie and holds the interest. Best if you watch it twice. Added bonus is actual video on the Bonus set for an interview of Blunt who continues to deny any responsibility and look at Philby who had the charm of a liar that everyone liked. 5 stars~