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Starting in Cambridge University, it follows the four characters before world war two and their bickering between the supporters of the British establishment, the communists and the Nazi supporters in the university itself.
This first part is a little slow but helps develop the characters ... Read review
At Cambridge University in 1934 four young men are courted by Soviet agents and recruited ... more
into a world of covert intelligence and espionage. Fired by youthful idealism passionately committed to social justice and to fighting fascism they are bonded ...
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In 1934, four brilliant, but seemingly conventional young men at Cambridge University are ... more
recruited to spy for the Soviet Union. Fuelled by youthful idealism, a passion for communism, a talent for lying and a hatred of Hitler and fascism, they began a ...
Cambridge Spies, the BBC's moody 2003 dramatisation of the most notorious debacle in the ... more
history of the British Secret Service, raises the spectre of the treachery of Philby, Burgess, MacLean and Blunt for a generation of viewers who can only imagine the shockwaves generated by their duplicity.Inevitably the story suffers from the basically repellent quality of its raw material. Determinedly non-judgemental, it frequently stumbles along a precarious path between romantic eulogy and fact-based fable of the perils of idealism. For all the handsome casting, the characters have little charm to compensate for their deeds. Their motivations are sketched only vaguely. Even in moments of personal vulnerability, however poignant the performances, sympathy is at a premium. But it has its high points as an atmospheric soap opera: the recreation of a period that stretches from the radical aspects of 1930s university life at Cambridge to Cold War London, dipping into the Spanish Civil War and the Washington diplomatic circle en route, is vivid. The acting, too, is fine. Tom Hollander's rampantly dissolute Burgess verges constantly on parody. But Toby Stephens (Philby), Samuel West (a frosty Blunt) and Rupert Penry-Jones (an emotionally wrung-out MacLean) work wonders with Peter Moffat's insubstantial script.On the DVD:Cambridge Spiesis a handsome production with a cinematic quality enhanced by an appropriately edgy soundtrack and widescreen presentation. The main extra is the commentary shared by director Tim Fywell, producer Mark Shivas and writer Peter Moffat. It's a rather self-congratulatory affair, but includes some interesting insights: attempts to film some events in their real location met with refusal, suggesting that in some quarters, the outrage and embarrassment that Burgess, Philby and MacLean left in their wake is still very close to the surface. --Piers Ford
Postage & Packaging:free Super Saver Delivery Availability:Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
Cambridge Spies, the BBC's moody 2003 dramatisation of the most notorious debacle in the ... more
history of the British Secret Service, raises the spectre of the treachery of Philby, Burgess, MacLean and Blunt for a generation of viewers who can only imagine the shockwaves generated by their duplicity.Inevitably the story suffers from the basically repellent quality of its raw material. Determinedly non-judgemental, it frequently stumbles along a precarious path between romantic eulogy and fact-based fable of the perils of idealism. For all the handsome casting, the characters have little charm to compensate for their deeds. Their motivations are sketched only vaguely. Even in moments of personal vulnerability, however poignant the performances, sympathy is at a premium. But it has its high points as an atmospheric soap opera: the recreation of a period that stretches from the radical aspects of 1930s university life at Cambridge to Cold War London, dipping into the Spanish Civil War and the Washington diplomatic circle en route, is vivid. The acting, too, is fine. Tom Hollander's rampantly dissolute Burgess verges constantly on parody. But Toby Stephens (Philby), Samuel West (a frosty Blunt) and Rupert Penry-Jones (an emotionally wrung-out MacLean) work wonders with Peter Moffat's insubstantial script.On the DVD:Cambridge Spiesis a handsome production with a cinematic quality enhanced by an appropriately edgy soundtrack and widescreen presentation. The main extra is the commentary shared by director Tim Fywell, producer Mark Shivas and writer Peter Moffat. It's a rather self-congratulatory affair, but includes some interesting insights: attempts to film some events in their real location met with refusal, suggesting that in some quarters, the outrage and embarrassment that Burgess, Philby and MacLean left in their wake is still very close to the surface. --Piers Ford
Postage & Packaging:£1.21 Availability:Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
Cambridge Spies, the BBC's moody 2003 dramatisation of the most notorious debacle in the ... more
history of the British Secret Service, raises the spectre of the treachery of Philby, Burgess, MacLean and Blunt for a generation of viewers who can only imagine the shockwaves generated by their duplicity.Inevitably the story suffers from the basically repellent quality of its raw material. Determinedly non-judgemental, it frequently stumbles along a precarious path between romantic eulogy and fact-based fable of the perils of idealism. For all the handsome casting, the characters have little charm to compensate for their deeds. Their motivations are sketched only vaguely. Even in moments of personal vulnerability, however poignant the performances, sympathy is at a premium. But it has its high points as an atmospheric soap opera: the recreation of a period that stretches from the radical aspects of 1930s university life at Cambridge to Cold War London, dipping into the Spanish Civil War and the Washington diplomatic circle en route, is vivid. The acting, too, is fine. Tom Hollander's rampantly dissolute Burgess verges constantly on parody. But Toby Stephens (Philby), Samuel West (a frosty Blunt) and Rupert Penry-Jones (an emotionally wrung-out MacLean) work wonders with Peter Moffat's insubstantial script.On the DVD:Cambridge Spiesis a handsome production with a cinematic quality enhanced by an appropriately edgy soundtrack and widescreen presentation. The main extra is the commentary shared by director Tim Fywell, producer Mark Shivas and writer Peter Moffat. It's a rather self-congratulatory affair, but includes some interesting insights: attempts to film some events in their real location met with refusal, suggesting that in some quarters, the outrage and embarrassment that Burgess, Philby and MacLean left in their wake is still very close to the surface. --Piers Ford
Postage & Packaging:£2.69 Availability:Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
Cambridge Spies, the BBC's moody 2003 dramatisation of the most notorious debacle in the ... more
history of the British Secret Service, raises the spectre of the treachery of Philby, Burgess, MacLean and Blunt for a generation of viewers who can only imagine the shockwaves generated by their duplicity.Inevitably the story suffers from the basically repellent quality of its raw material. Determinedly non-judgemental, it frequently stumbles along a precarious path between romantic eulogy and fact-based fable of the perils of idealism. For all the handsome casting, the characters have little charm to compensate for their deeds. Their motivations are sketched only vaguely. Even in moments of personal vulnerability, however poignant the performances, sympathy is at a premium. But it has its high points as an atmospheric soap opera: the recreation of a period that stretches from the radical aspects of 1930s university life at Cambridge to Cold War London, dipping into the Spanish Civil War and the Washington diplomatic circle en route, is vivid. The acting, too, is fine. Tom Hollander's rampantly dissolute Burgess verges constantly on parody. But Toby Stephens (Philby), Samuel West (a frosty Blunt) and Rupert Penry-Jones (an emotionally wrung-out MacLean) work wonders with Peter Moffat's insubstantial script.On the DVD:Cambridge Spiesis a handsome production with a cinematic quality enhanced by an appropriately edgy soundtrack and widescreen presentation. The main extra is the commentary shared by director Tim Fywell, producer Mark Shivas and writer Peter Moffat. It's a rather self-congratulatory affair, but includes some interesting insights: attempts to film some events in their real location met with refusal, suggesting that in some quarters, the outrage and embarrassment that Burgess, Philby and MacLean left in their wake is still very close to the surface. --Piers Ford
Postage & Packaging:free Super Saver Delivery Availability:Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
Cambridge Spies, the BBC's moody 2003 dramatisation of the most notorious debacle in the ... more
history of the British Secret Service, raises the spectre of the treachery of Philby, Burgess, MacLean and Blunt for a generation of viewers who can only imagine the shockwaves generated by their duplicity.Inevitably the story suffers from the basically repellent quality of its raw material. Determinedly non-judgemental, it frequently stumbles along a precarious path between romantic eulogy and fact-based fable of the perils of idealism. For all the handsome casting, the characters have little charm to compensate for their deeds. Their motivations are sketched only vaguely. Even in moments of personal vulnerability, however poignant the performances, sympathy is at a premium. But it has its high points as an atmospheric soap opera: the recreation of a period that stretches from the radical aspects of 1930s university life at Cambridge to Cold War London, dipping into the Spanish Civil War and the Washington diplomatic circle en route, is vivid. The acting, too, is fine. Tom Hollander's rampantly dissolute Burgess verges constantly on parody. But Toby Stephens (Philby), Samuel West (a frosty Blunt) and Rupert Penry-Jones (an emotionally wrung-out MacLean) work wonders with Peter Moffat's insubstantial script.On the DVD:Cambridge Spiesis a handsome production with a cinematic quality enhanced by an appropriately edgy soundtrack and widescreen presentation. The main extra is the commentary shared by director Tim Fywell, producer Mark Shivas and writer Peter Moffat. It's a rather self-congratulatory affair, but includes some interesting insights: attempts to film some events in their real location met with refusal, suggesting that in some quarters, the outrage and embarrassment that Burgess, Philby and MacLean left in their wake is still very close to the surface. --Piers Ford
Postage & Packaging:Free! Availability:Usually dispatched within 2 to 4 weeks...
Production Year: 2004 - Drama - Director: Nick Cassavetes - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over, 12 years and over - Starring: Rachel McAdams, Ryan Gosling, Gena Rowlands
Advantages: Amazing acting, well filmed, brilliant lines Disadvantages: First hour is a little slow
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Starting in Cambridge University, it follows the four characters before world war two and their bickering between the supporters of the British establishment, the communists and the Nazi supporters in the university itself.
This first part is a little slow but helps develop the characters in your mind for the rest of the three hours.
It picks up after the first hour and you understand how different the four ... ...MacLean and Anthony Blunt are very quiet. Guy and Anthony are gay and Kim and Donald are straight. So you end up with a mix of personalities.
The remaining three episodes are much quicker, following the four through their problems in world war two right through to the departure of most of them in the cold war.
History shows that Kim Philby was thought to be good enough to be head of MI6 and this DVD dramatises the stresses ... more
This DVD is outstanding. Originally a four-part BBC drama, it is a four hour set but nicely split up into four chunks of about 1 hour each.
Starting in Cambridge University, it follows the four characters before world war two and their bickering between the supporters of the British establishment, the communists and the Nazi supporters in the university itself.
This first part is a little slow but helps develop the characters in your mind for the rest of the three hours.
It picks up after the first hour and you understand how different the four are. Guy Burgess and Kim Philby are outspoken whereas Donald MacLean and Anthony Blunt are very quiet. Guy and Anthony are gay and Kim and Donald are straight. So you end up with a mix of personalities.
The remaining three episodes are much quicker, following the four through their problems in world war two right through to the departure of most of them in the cold war.
History shows that Kim Philby was thought to be good enough to be head of MI6 and this DVD dramatises the stresses and strains of being a double agent can have on a person.
Each actor is brilliant, but Tom Hollander, playing Guy Burgess, the loud, outspoken, homosexual, confrontational drunkard is amazing. The extra DVD speaks of how most of the actors wanted to play different characters than the ended up playing, but whoever decided on which actor played which part has done an amazing job.
Gritty, eye-opening and interesting, this is a must watch.
The story of the most notorious double agents in British history - Blunt, Burgess, Philby and Maclean - from their days at Cambridge University in 1934 through almost twenty years of counter-intelligence...
Release details
DVD Region
DVD
Studio(s)
2 ENTERTAIN VIDEO; SONY DADC
Release date
02/06/2003
No of Discs
1
Catalogue No
BBCDVD 1318
Barcode
5014503131821
Languages
Main Language
English
Technical information
Special Features
Audio Commentary - 1. Tim Fywell - Director, Stills Gallery
DVD Description
Based on a true story, CAMBRIDGE SPIES is a BBC drama detailing the biggest spy scandal in British history. In 1934, four outstanding students at Cambridge University--Guy Burgess, Anthony Blunt, Kim Philby, Donald Maclean--who shared a passion for communism, were recruited to spy for the Soviet Union. Over the next 20 years the men assumed prominent positions in their chosen fields whilst passing on vital information to the Russians. Amidst a world of espionage, lies, bluffs, homosexuality and alcoholism, the four share a bond in the form of their common betrayal.
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