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"The Courier": A blast back to my 9th grade year . . .

162.232.81.100

Posted on March 19, 2021 at 20:08:46
Billy Wonka
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October 15, 2013
Ah yes, the Cuban Missile Crisis. The days all the adults were looking a bit wired and homeroom was spent drawing out our residences and where the "fall out" room would be. Plus, it had to be signed by a parent along with the quickest way I would get home from school in case something went bang! I remember being at a rail stop for some reason and was cooled out for 20 minutes as nothing but flat cars passed with two tanks per. (They were headed south to Florida. They were really going to invade!)

I digress.

This is the story of a naive Brit salesman (Cumberbatch) being pressed into patriotic service by MI-6 and the CIA. The CIA had lost its courier to Penkovsky who was a "concerned" Russian working at the highest level of scientific trade and industry. Penkovsky feared Kruschev would wake up one morning and decide it was a good day to end the world.

The beginnings had splashes of mirth as the incredulous Greville was gob-smacked that two countries wanted him to be a "spy". Greville took some light tradecraft training but was assured he would not be under suspicion.

Once Greville met up with Penkovsky they became close allies and friends. Later, Penkovsky worked to pass maps of Cuban missile emplacements. They accomplished that before things went tilt. The rest of the story continues in a dour and sad tone as all the players lick their wounds and the families of Greville and Penkovsky are emotionally ravaged.

This is based on a true story I never was aware of until now. Both men sacrificed much to help the world from being unwound. Penkovsky was played by Merab Ninidze (himself a Russian) and it was his movie. Merab ruled.

This film checks off all the boxes. Go see.








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"played by Merab Ninidze (himself a Russian)" LOL!, posted on March 24, 2021 at 06:04:12
Victor Khomenko
Manufacturer

Posts: 55317
Joined: April 5, 2000
Don't you dare to say that to his face!

He is a Georgian, for pete's sake... Georgian! :)

Have you seen "Counterpart"? I think it might be perfectly up your alley.


 

RE: "played by Merab Ninidze (himself a Russian)" LOL!, posted on March 26, 2021 at 19:15:27
Billy Wonka
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Joined: April 25, 2013
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October 15, 2013
So, who gets the Blue Ribbon in the soviet world? Russians, Georgians, Ukraine's, who?

The first season of Counterpart was intriguing but season two sagged. Decent looking women though.

 

"but season two sagged" Worse that that..., posted on April 12, 2021 at 10:39:06
Victor Khomenko
Manufacturer

Posts: 55317
Joined: April 5, 2000
I keep dragging through the second season, taking 12-30 minute bites off it... it is so incredibly boring that I keep wondering why I am doing it?


 

Similar, one would say, to calling you a Massachusetts liberal. nt, posted on March 27, 2021 at 13:46:02
tinear
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Location: Kansas City, KS
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d

 

That's me, Boston Irish! *, posted on April 14, 2021 at 14:35:05
Billy Wonka
Audiophile

Posts: 3761
Joined: April 25, 2013
Contributor
  Since:
October 15, 2013
*

 

Thanks. I was hoping this would be a good one. nt, posted on March 19, 2021 at 21:01:59
free.ranger
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