Reilly - Ace Of Spies

This is a very fun, if largely apocryphal, version of many of the key events that shaped the 20C. You have a mysterious man, Reilly, who pops up where something absolutely decisive is happening. Ostensively a British agent, he mixes self-enrichment, his personal life, and politics in machinations that can only be called guileful, ruthless, and for the most part effective. He is one of those ambiguous figures that appear at historical turning points, sparking endless debates about whether they are blatant opportunists or the simplest of idealists. You could compare him to Alcibiades, Wallenstein, or perhaps Richard Clarke. The man is a walking paradox - brilliant and passionate, yet perhaps also a greedy sociopathic visionary - and the best part of it is, Sam Neill pulls it off with complete believability, with a stellar group of lesser-known character actors.In terms of plot, Reilly is present for the early maneuvering to gain access to oil - the key to industrialization and mechanized warfare, the bases for 20C power - and then is a player in the Russo-Japanese war, a maintenance worker who steals German shipping blueprints (and an industrialist who does the same thing), and finally a (counter?) revolutionary in the transition of Russia into the Soviet Union. This is a fun and fascinating view into these events, a re-rendering that reminds the viewer that none of these things was set in stone for the history books but could have turned out very differently. To me as a history buff, it makes it come alive in the most wonderful way. Of course, no one knows if Reilly did all these things, so this can only be taken as fiction, but you witness Lenin, Stalin, and a parade of British politicians and bureaucrats and many others.Along the way, Reilly introduces new methods into the British secret service, legitimizing the most ruthless manipulation of people in the cause that he is currently championing. For example in one episode (***spoiler alert***), while apparently out of the spy business and a financier in Russia, he seduces a married aristocrat, who wants to divorce in order to marry him; Reilly then pays off her husband with a settlement, who happens to be Defense Minister in the Tzar's government, legitimizing a commercial agent Reilly needs, and pulls off the "arms deal of the century", gaining intelligence for the British, beating an old rival, and hugely enriching himself at the same time. Some cry scandal (he is already married), others see genius.Neill also creates a fascinating character that is revealed slowly throughout the entire series. It is a masterpiece of subtlety and moral ambiguity that is never reduced to a simple formula, but stands as an enigma. The ending is a surprise, yet so typically Reilly. That makes it excellent drama. The sets are also period perfect, evoking a vanished world.My wife and I are embarking on a viewing of British spy films, kind of the mirror view of my love of mafia film. This is up there with Smiley's People. Recommended with enthusiasm.

I watched the original series on TV when it first appeared and was very impressed. I have recently bought the series on DVD and have viewed it again and found that my original impressions were correct. One is at once captivated by the opening music which sets the tone for the whole experience. The story is not "hammed up" as so many modern TV series of supposed true events are. There are some minor inaccuracies in the detail of events and perhaps a few of the situations and characters have been changed a little in the interests of TV drama, however, the core of the story is faithfully told. The production has spared no expense in the settings and locations and all the actors are well suited to their roles; Sam Neil in particular is mesmerizing as Riley. What a pity that modern TV cannot provide us with such high calibre dramas as this one which was made in the golden age of television.

This excellent series written by Troy Kennedy-Martin was partially based on historical events, much of which cannot be verified. The format uses an historical context of real events eg Russian Revolution and while some of it is very likely to have happened, other parts are fictionalised. There was never a Cummings in charge of the Secret Intelligence Service. There was however a Mansfield Cumming who founded MI6 in 1909. This occurred after the first two or three episodes. Nevertheless, a great series, well acted and written with interesting historical adaptation.

I think this prog was out on tele when I was a teenager, and in those didn't think it was my cup of tea. I think I thought it was a bit old fashioned. As an adult I like to think I am more sophisticated and try not to dismiss things on the basis of being old fashioned. Also I had read a few books about the history of the British secret service, and knew that Reilly was actually a true person. Some historians hint that accounts of his adventures are so sensational, they must be a little too good to be true. They ponder if Reilly while no doubt being an accomplished spy, was also good at self promotion. However, even if you do discount half the sensational aspect, you still left with fifty per cent which is pretty eye popping. Real daring do and boys own adventure type stuff. It seems he was in the thick of it at all the key moments in history. He appears to be one of the greatest spies Britain ever had, almost the James Bond of the early 20th century, only he was real. I bought the DVDs, and I have watched two stories so far. The pace is a little slower than I was expecting. He is a great spy, and he does indeed get into some tight corners, like Bond. But I have yet to see him actually slip down a drain pipe to escape, I have yet to see him fire a gun, or even get into a physical fight. He does though act and dress like a gentleman with a ruthless streak, and can be a ladies man, all Bond like. I don't know if as I watch the rest of it, I ever will see him fire a gun, or do any fighting, or make slightly more dramatic escapes. However I am far from put off from watching more of it. The acting, the scripts, are of a high standard, and one of the strengths are the locations. A rather large bonus factor of this series is that while being entertained, you are also getting quite a good history lesson.

I loved this series when it was first screened in the days before DVDs. The stories were vivid and convincing and the cast were excellent especially Sam Neill who was new to us in the UK but established himself with this performance. I was delighted to be able to acquire a copy of the series and at such terrifiv value.Gerry Mc Menemy.

Watched this when it was first on TV years ago and loved it back then. However, watching it now, I found it a little dated for me.

Well, excellent series. And not to be redundant, so is the picture quality. Subtitles work.Delighted.

A pesar del aire démodé de una serie de los 80, la trama argumental tiene su interés y va mejorando cuando va progresando la historia. La ambientación y la caracterización en el estilo británico, me gustaron mucho.

Good old seriesDelivery excellent

Everything about this series is excellent - the theme music by Shostakovitch "The Gadfly" is well suited, the plot, costumes and settings are all superb. All the actors play their parts very well indeed.The real Sidney Reilly, British master spy, would not be disappointed in the portrayal by Sam Neill. Those who are avid Rumpole fans will love Leo McKern in this series. The series will appeal to all spy movie fans. Reilly: Ace of Spies [Import anglais ] Reilly: Ace of Spies [Import anglais

Bonne série anglaise pour l'époque.Bonnes interprétations, scénario correct.Le DVD est évidemment en langue anglaise, avec des sous-titres en anglais.