Spies of Warsaw

Well, I liked it
I finally had an evening to devote to watching Spies of Warsaw (via imported discs from the UK). I found it very absorbing -- exciting, romantic, and tragic.

I know a bit about WW2 history but I'm not familiar with the novel the film is based on. I had recently read Prague Winter by Madeleine Albright, and I knew people with numbers on their arms from the old days, so I knew something of the era and events.

As a suspense piece I really enjoyed this movie. I had no idea what would happen next to the individual characters and I was completely drawn into following their various fates. As a period piece, it felt authentic in terms of clothing and attitudes. As a romance, it's credible and moving. The only problem I see with it as a drama is that there are a large number of characters and it's a bit difficult to sort them all out at first, but once the story gets moving, it all comes together. It's not some crummy superhero action movie, so people looking for...

Great Story Whose Execution Misses Both Suspense And Heart: An Uncharacteristic Misfire From The Reliable BBC
I am a huge supporter of BBC entertainment, not to mention a fan of David Tennant from way back. For me, the two part "Spies of Warsaw" was one of the can't miss propositions of the season. There is an absolutely tremendous story of World War II intrigue and heroism at the center of this production, it seems impossible that this television miniseries didn't work on almost any level. The narrative is choppy, the characters are underdeveloped, and Tennant seems devoid of emotion throughout. Moments of "Spies of Warsaw" should have been both heartbreaking and harrowing, but (no matter what happened) I remained strangely apathetic throughout. In every instance, just as it seemed like something was about to happen, the film cuts away to another location. While the first part isn't terrible, more uninvolving than anything, it looked like we were on track for the second part to ratchet up the human drama and suspense. Any hope I had, however, for an upswing came to a crashing halt as the...

Quiet, Moody Advnture
If you are looking for understated acting, excellent location filming, and a challenging plot, this is for you. Right up front I will admit to owning all of Alan Furst's novels in hardback, and I flat like his writing, especially the pre WWII time period. I will, at some risk of reputation, put this in the same league as the original SMILEY'S or SPY WHO CAME IN FROM THE COLD. This is based on, not an exact copy of, the novel SPIES OF WARSAW and in my view is a good choice for the first of Furst's novels to be filmed. True to most, if not all, movie adaptations, it does drift from the book a bit, and, truth be told, if you have not read Furst it may take you more than one viewing to pick up the nuance of this story. Some of the subplots are not clearly developed and minor characters are somewhat cardboard. This is a "feet up, drink in hand" rainly afternoon show, and well worth it. Enjoy.

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