Ring of Spies

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Ring of Spies
"Ring of Spies" (1961).jpg
Original UK 1-sheet poster
Directed byRobert Tronson
Written byPeter Barnes
Frank Launder
Produced byLeslie Gilliat
StarringBernard Lee
William Sylvester
Margaret Tyzack
David Kossoff
Nancy Nevinson
Thorley Walters
CinematographyArthur Lavis
Edited byThelma Connell
Production
companies
British Lion Films
Triglav Film
Distributed byBritish Lion Films
Paramount Pictures (US)
Release date
24 March 1964 (1964-03-24)
Running time
90 minutes
CountryUnited Kingdom
LanguageEnglish

Ring of Spies (also known as Ring of Treason) is a 1964 British spy film directed by Robert Tronson and starring Bernard Lee, William Sylvester and Margaret Tyzack.[1] It is based on the real-life case of the Portland Spy Ring, whose activities prompted "Reds under the bed" scare stories in the British popular press in the early 1960s.[2][3][4]

Plot[]

A dissatisfied Navy clerk begins handling secret documents when he is approached by secret Soviet intelligence to hand over documents to them. Although he is being blackmailed, he agrees to do so while also being paid for the information. He begins an affair with the secretary who also has access to greater secret documents. Together, the couple continue to procure information for Soviet intelligence while getting paid. Soon, the British government gets wind of their betrayal.

Cast[]

Production[]

It was shot at Shepperton Studios and on location around London including many of the sites involved in the real case. The film's sets were designed by Norman Arnold.

Release[]

The film was made just after the trial in 1961 but was held up for release due to legal reasons.[5]

It was re-released in 1970 after the release of Harry Houghton and Ethel Gee from prison.[5]

Reception[]

Critical reception[]

TV Guide gave the film 2.5 out of 5 stars. Its reviewer wrote that the film "concentrates on factual evidence leading up to the crack in the case. Lending an air of authenticity, shots of the actual spies appear in the opening frames," and concluded that "despite the documentary flavor, there are a few witty touches by the hand of Tronson";[6] while David Parkinson in the Radio Times gave it 3 out of 5 stars, and felt "the docudramatic style rather undermines director Robert Tronson's attempts to build suspense," but "Frank Launder proved himself to be just as capable of turning out a nail-biting thriller, as he was of crafting a chortle-worthy comedy. For once, separated from his usual partner, Sidney Gilliat (although the latter's brother Leslie acted as producer), Launder and co-writer Peter Barnes capably retell the story of the Portland spy ring."[1]

Box office[]

The film did not perform well in its initial release.[5]

References[]

  1. ^ a b "Ring of Spies". BFI. Archived from the original on 12 July 2012.
  2. ^ David Parkinson. "Ring of Spies". RadioTimes.
  3. ^ "Ring of Treason (1964) - Trailers, Reviews, Synopsis, Showtimes and Cast - AllMovie". AllMovie.
  4. ^ "Ring of Spies DVD". MovieMail.
  5. ^ a b c "Dust Off Old Spy Pic After 'Cast' Is Sprung". Variety. 10 June 1970. p. 31.
  6. ^ "Ring Of Spies". TV Guide.

Bibliography[]

  • Shaw, Tony. British Cinema and the Cold War: The State, Propaganda and Consensus. I.B.Tauris, 2006.

External links[]

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