IMDb RATING
8.2/10
1.7K
YOUR RATING
A dramatization of the missions and adventures of the greatest spy in British history.A dramatization of the missions and adventures of the greatest spy in British history.A dramatization of the missions and adventures of the greatest spy in British history.
- Nominated for 1 Primetime Emmy
- 1 win & 9 nominations total
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Did you know
- TriviaIn 1895, Sidney Reilly had an affair with Ethel Lillian Voynich, a married Russian author. In 1897, Voynich wrote a popular novel, "The Gadfly". It was rumored that the adventurous hero of the novel was based on Reilly. In 1956, the novel was made into a movie, and Dmitri Shostakovich was commissioned to compose the music. The same music, "The Gadfly-Romance", is heard as the theme to this show.
- GoofsNadia Massino did not marry Alfred Nobel - he died a bachelor in 1896 and according to the series, Reilly met her in the 20th century. Feliz Dzerzhinsky never met Reilly, and did not carry out the interrogation or execution. Reilly also was not connected with the forged letter that toppled the British government.
- Quotes
Mrs. Fried: Live for the present, die for the future.
- ConnectionsFeatured in The 36th Primetime Emmy Awards (1984)
- SoundtracksRomance
from "The Gadfly"
Written by Dmitri Shostakovich
Theme music of the miniseries (opening and closing credits)
Featured review
Even better than I remember
Back in 1983, my wife and myself watched a 12 part series on TV. My wife thought it was very good. I thought it was excellent. The leading roll was played by an actor named Sam Neil who played the master spy Sidney Reilly as if he were made for the part.
For two decades, I spoke about this series and spent the last of these years waiting for the DVD.
Well, we've viewed the four disk DVD set and I can tell you that Reilly Ace of Spies is even better than I remembered. My wife (a critical reviewer) was just as impressed... far more so than she was some two decades ago.
I won't go into a plot explanation of this series because you can read the bio of Sigmund Rosenblum (aka Sidney Reilly) in many movie reviews and several books. What I can say is that the series very closely parallels what was written about him.
Worthy of note is the acting of Sam Neil, who reached his acting peak in this initial major work.
Mr. Neil (not normally known for his dynamic theatrical presence) played his roll with a versatility that moved easily from calm sophistication to blistering intensity. Keep track of his eyes. They speak with a communicative clarity that he has rarely been equaled.
I'm giving this DVD series a never bestowed (by me) 10 out of 10. A Must see and a classic work.
For two decades, I spoke about this series and spent the last of these years waiting for the DVD.
Well, we've viewed the four disk DVD set and I can tell you that Reilly Ace of Spies is even better than I remembered. My wife (a critical reviewer) was just as impressed... far more so than she was some two decades ago.
I won't go into a plot explanation of this series because you can read the bio of Sigmund Rosenblum (aka Sidney Reilly) in many movie reviews and several books. What I can say is that the series very closely parallels what was written about him.
Worthy of note is the acting of Sam Neil, who reached his acting peak in this initial major work.
Mr. Neil (not normally known for his dynamic theatrical presence) played his roll with a versatility that moved easily from calm sophistication to blistering intensity. Keep track of his eyes. They speak with a communicative clarity that he has rarely been equaled.
I'm giving this DVD series a never bestowed (by me) 10 out of 10. A Must see and a classic work.
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- Also known as
- Reilly - Spion der Spione
- Filming locations
- England, UK(all episodes)
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
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