Theatrical Release Date:1983 Release Date:February 22, 2005 Availability:Usually ships in 1-2 business days Shipping:Expedited shipping available Shipping:International shipping available Condition:BRAND NEW AND FACTORY SEALED
Amazon.com Reilly: Ace of Spies is a thrilling dramatization of the fantastic life and exploits of Sidney Reilly, arguably the first modern secret agent and a complex, often unfathomable individual who invented his very name and identity. Sam Neill has never been better as the former Sigmund Rosenblum, an Odessa-born Jew who becomes a freelance spy for the British at the dawn of the 20th century. Calculating, ruthless, and more certain of his own counsel than the wisdom of his superiors, Reilly (he changes his name by the end of the first episode, "An Affair with a Married Woman," to obscure his personal history) can't help but remind one of a particularly determined James Bond. Reilly's reputation as a womanizer--not entirely deserved, but then none of his associates can quite figure out his thriving love life--adds to this historical figure's Bondian mystique.
In other respects, Reilly's version of espionage is far more complicated, and has greater historical repercussions, than that of Fleming's superspy. The first half of the 12 episodes in this set concern Reilly's daring work ascertaining and even securing the West's access to Middle East oil and, looking ahead to Russia's possible rise as a major power, determine the extent of that country's oil reserves. At the same time, Reilly always has one eye trained on ethically ambiguous opportunities to accrue wealth or play one friendly interest against another. The oil mission leads him from virtual house arrest in the foothills of the Caucuses (where Reilly sleeps with the young wife of an aging preacher as cover for his escape, leaves her to be arrested, then later marries her) to Port Arthur in China (where he clears the way for British allies the Japanese to invade) to France (where Reilly competes with the Rothschilds over Persian Oil concessions). The latter episodes focus on Reilly's extraordinary attempt to overthrow the Bolsheviks following the Russian revolution, barely escaping St. Petersburg after a botched attempt to assassinate Lenin and later risking his life by returning and advocating the killing of Stalin. Throughout this ever-changing drama, the series' writing is a marvel of historical fact and intriguing speculation about Reilly's whereabouts, exploits, and private passions. The supporting cast is superb, including David Burke as Stalin and Tom Bell as Russia's secret police chief Dzerzhinsky. The series was co-directed by Martin Campbell, who took on Pierce Brosnan's first assignment as 007, GoldenEye. --Tom Keogh
Description At the turn of the 20th century, one remarkable man single-handedly tried to alter the course of history. Cold, ruthless, enigmatic, this Russian-born British agent radically transformed modern espionage techniques and set the mold for a new kind of secret agent-the super spy. REILLY: ACE OF SPIES is the thrilling, suspenseful dramatization of the real-life adventures of Agent ST-1, aka Sidney Reilly, the inspiration behind Ian Fleming's James Bond. Shot in glorious period detail, one heart-pulsing mission after another captures the arc of Reilly's brilliant career. From stealing top-secret Russian oil information to a near overthrow of the Bolshevik Revolution to his final capture by Stalin's forces in 1918, Reilly's exploits are at times so daring and reckless it's hard to believe it's history and not fiction. Starring Sam Neill (Jurassic Park, The Hunt for Red October), REILLY: ACE OF SPIES includes all 12 original episodes on DVD for the first time, and features a bonus documentary examining the final, mysterious days of this legendary figure. DVD Features: "Life of Reilly: Superspy" episode from A&E's acclaimed Vanishings series; Interactive Menus; Scene Selection
Reilly Ace of SpiesDecember 14, 2008 If viewers of the Jurassic Park movies were pleased with Sam Neill's performance, they will be interested to see his earlier work in Reilly Ace of Spies. He shows a wider range of his acting ability in this series and the stories of the spy network in England and Europe - especially in Russia is a look at history from a rarely viewed position.
Neill's Brilliant!!! 5 stars!October 25, 2008 I saw this originally on PBS years ago, absolutely brilliant! This and "My Brilliant Career", are what REALLY hooked me on Sam Neill. The guy is amazing, locations wonderful and rest of cast remarkably gifted as well. One of the best, if not the best, series ever aired on PBS and any other channel, bar none. A real bonus if you're a history buff. Reilly was just a fascinating character....
Reilly-Ace of SpiesAugust 21, 2008 If I had to choose bond over Reilly. I choose Reilly. This is a wonderful box set and it comes in 4 discs. It's a wonderful and timely gift set. I will enjoy this for years to come.
just as wonderful as the first time aroundJuly 26, 2008 I loved this series when it first came out. Sam Neil is amazing. It was the first time I ever saw him. this is as exciting and well directed as I remember it. If you love espionage and suspense this is your series. You will not be disappointed
Reilly - Ace of SpiesJuly 2, 2008 The content of this DVD set has been described by others, so all I have to add is that I enjoyed it immensely. I intended to watch the 10 episodes plus the 30 min biography over 5 nights at 2 episodes a night. Instead I watched over 3 nights and was disappointed when it was over. I will be watching the whole thing again in perhaps another month or so.
Perhaps the one episode where a British spy (not Reilly) is discovered in the German docks is a little weaker than the rest; it is also apparent from the biography that some episodes are severely artistically licensed. Nevertheless, for anyone who enjoys historical dramas made as only the Brits can this set is all around good value, great fun and time spent well entertained. Sam Neill fans can only be delighted.
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