A Call to Spy (2019) User Reviews (139)

An important story

[maccas-56367 · 6/10 · 12 July 2021]

This succeeds in highlighting the important (and often under-looked) true story of female spies in WWII. I was already familiar with Vera Atkins and Virginia Hall and it was nice to see their stories put to film. It was great learning the heroic story of Noor Inayat Khan too. "A Call To Spy" is the kind of film that gets you researching the true events after. More people should know about these women.

As a film itself, it definitely had a TV-movie vibe. The script was rather woeful at times and occasionally the acting came across quite wooden. It still did enough to tell the stories though, while keeping my interest. I would have thought a film depicting the heroic actions of spies in WWII would have more tension and better pacing though.

It felt a bit too long at times, and during the first 20 minutes, I wrestled whether to abandon it entirely. I felt the story of these women deserved my time though, so I persisted and I'm mostly glad I did.

Sarah Megan Thomas delivered a particularly good performance as Virginia Hall. You could easily tell she was passionate about this film and the story of these women. Stana Katic had great chemistry with her too.

A few months ago I watched the reality docuseries "Churchill's Secret Agents: The New Recruits", which depicted the SOE in WWII. I highly recommend watching that series before watching this, as it gave a fantastic education and background to the roles of these brave men and women. As a movie? "A Call To Spy" is rather lacklustre and has its share of shortcomings. As a story? Everyone should know about it.

Very worthwhile historical story

[Jackbv123 · 7/10 · 24 February 2022]

This movie is based on the war experiences of 3 actual women and is a heroic story. Unfortunately, the way it is told didn't impress me. Perhaps that is because I already knew Virginia Hall's story in some detail thanks to a book "A Woman of No Importance". According to that book, Hall was an agent of great importance with many significant contributions to the war effort. In fact, reading that book, one might think that Hall was more important than anyone other than Eisenhower. Despite what must be some bias on the part of the author, I still believe that book to be mostly accurate.

The circumstances behind the entire story are complex. The movie had to choose how much of that to tell and left out a lot of nuance. It touched on many aspects but didn't dwell on them. Some of these are: 1) For the Allies, women as spies in the field was unheard of. It was considered unsporting, ungentlemanly and too dangerous.

2) Women were generally not respected for any abilities beyond secretarial. This prejudice is almost impossible for the 21st century viewer to completely comprehend. Vera Atkins was almost an exception to this. She was respected by her boss, but many of her accomplishments were only possible as his representative. Hall suffered for this even more so in France. She was often overruled in the field by less senior male agents despite being right most of the time. Yet she still accomplished a great deal.

3) Many of the details of events are not known with certainty. Atkins was suspected by some of being incompetent (see #4) or even a double agent. Even history has not resolved this with certainty. Also historical records don't always show with certainty exactly who betrayed whom. At least one other fictional work proposes that the British deliberately allowed some of their agents to be killed so as to protect the secret of just how effective the network was. (This same thinking was actually used regarding the German's Enigma code where some information gathered was not used lest it give away that the Allies had broken that code.)

4) About a third of F section's agents were captured and/or killed. The SOE made a huge mistake in not taking seriously signs that some of their agents had been captured, especially Noor. There were protocols for this which were ignored because of uncertainties resulting from the "fog of war".

5) Because this kind of spy craft was new, at least for the SOE, agents were not completely trained and sometimes their training was cut short by need.

This movie is well worth watching to remind oneself of the bravery and sacrifice of so many during WW2. One can't help but think of the adage that War is Hell.

Very good subject matter but not a spectacular film.

[mallaverack · 7/10 · 29 December 2020]

Good to see the role of women as spies in WWII highlighted here. Am somewhat surprised by the very high ratings given here. It was a good movie but not one you'll be thinking about greatly once the credits have rolled. Possibly this is because the film lacks a truly persistent sense of danger. One would normally expect to encounter several 'on the edge of the seat' scenarios in a film about spies and Nazis and the notorious Klaus Barbie. But this was something I barely experienced throughout. The overall acting was always understated and little more than adequate. It was not bad nor was it terrific. Despite some good production values the lack of intensity is the most obvious deficiency made even more apparent when considering the subject matter. The 7 stars is a generous assessment.

Important chapter in WW2 for the Allies.

[TxMike · 4 August 2020]

This movie, "A Call To Spy", is inspired by real events and real allied spies in World War Two. It was the early 1940s, the German Nazi threat was nearing its height, the allies needed to do something bold and surprising. Churchill requested a secret army of attractive female spies be created to conduct sabotage and build resistance in occupied France.

This is the story of those spies and how they were trained, how they went about their missions. The movie is very authentic looking and the mood is just right. The story focuses on Virginia Hall who was a real spy and whom the Nazis considered the most dangerous of all Allied spies. Most of the actors are people I have never heard of which I believe adds to the impact, not being distracted by an actor's fame or prior roles.

Good movie, a nice addition to the WW2 stories. My wife and I watched it at home on DVD from our public library.

cuthbert is here

[ferguson-6 · 6/10 · 2 October 2020]

Greetings again from the darkness. Virginia Hall should be famous. Oh sure, history buffs know her name, but usually she's a blip in book or article about WWII. Director Lydia Dean Pilcher was Oscar nominated as Producer for the excellent CUTIE AND THE BOXER (2013), and here she serves up the first film featuring Virginia Hall and her contributions. Sarah Megan Thomas (EQUITY, 2016) wrote the screenplay and stars as Ms. Hall.

It's 1941 and the Nazis are dominating France. Winston Churchill creates a secret British Intelligence Organization calls Special Operations Executive (SOE). It's basically a group of spies in France with the purpose of undermining the Nazis. The group is run by Maurice Buckmaster (played by Linus Roache) and after very limited success, the decision is made to recruit women - the thought being they will be less likely to arouse suspicion and can more freely move about. This is really the story of three women, all outcasts in some form. American agent Virginia Hall (Sarah Megan Thomas) is one of the first female spies to go to France. British Muslim Noor Inayat Khan (Radhika Apte) is a highly skilled Air Force wireless operator (communications), and Vera Atkins (Stana Katic, "Castle") is a Jewish Romanian immigrant charged with recruiting women to the program. For those who enjoy trivia, Ms. Atkins also served as Ian Fleming's inspiration for Miss Moneypenny in the James Bond franchise.

Virginia Hall remarkably overcame her wooden leg ... an appendage she named "Cuthbert" ... and was rejected in her quest to become a US Diplomat. Noor faced down the stigma of being a dedicated pacifist - a difficult hurdle in the middle of a war. Vera Atkins was never able to be fully trusted by her co-workers due to her Jewish background. While we are exposed to the plights of each of these women, there is actually very little interaction between the three, which creates an unusual story structure. The bulk of the time goes to Virginia Hall, and that's understandable given her history, participation, and accomplishments. We witness how she excels in enlisting and inspiring citizens and volunteers to join the resistance, and creates multiple networks that impacted some many of the Allied troops.

An excruciating water torture scene occurs pre-opening credits, and then over the opening credits, director Pilcher slyly works in each of the key players. The concern over women during this era as Buckmaster is concerned the recruits "won't last a week". It would have been interesting if we were privy to a bit more of the training "in sabotage and subversion", but it's likely some of that training still occurs today; although the point is made clear that this was trial and error, with an emphasis on error.

The female spies were nicknamed the "Baker Street Irregulars", and they definitely accomplished their mission of changing the course of the war. Klaus Barbie (the Butcher of Lyon) is shown trying, and failing, to hunt down Virginia Hall, whose life was always in danger once she became known to the Nazis. And it's that danger that is the movie's Achilles. The sense of danger should be suffocating and relentless, and instead only pops up periodically here. The stories of these courageous folks must be told, but with that comes the ever-present danger they experienced. This is just a bit too much to overlook.

A little known piece of history... Let's hear it for the Girls!!!

[LiveLoveLead · 6/10 · 18 June 2021]

Enjoyable, based on a true story, film about some amazingly brave and little known WWII heroes...women spies. The acting, although not Oscar worthy, was decent by most. The pace was a bit slow and the editing could have been better, which would have upped the tension a bit, but the film was interesting, informative, and entertaining. (no language or nudity) This underrated, lesser known film held our attention throughout and is worth the watch, IMHO! 6.5 stars - June 2021.

A worthwhile call

[TheLittleSongbird · 7/10 · 24 June 2022]

The main reason for seeing 'A Call to Spy' was the subject matter, a powerful one made up of the true stories of three inspirational but somewhat overlooked women who worked as spies in the second world war. Being someone who has a thing for promising concepts and bold subject matters. Also like historical dramas, films inspired by or based on true stories and anything centered around spies also intrigues. Not to mention the cast.

'A Call to Spy' was a solid and laudable effort in making the women and their stories known in cinematic terms. It doesn't quite succeed in every area and the women's stories were more powerful than the one that is presented here, but there was also a lot to like about it and it was hard to not admire its good intentions. There was a great film somewhere in 'A Call to Spy', a great one that doesn't quite materialise but has elements of greatness in individual components, but to me it was not a waste of potential.

Like has been said above, 'A Call to Spy' has a lot of good. The best thing about it is the acting, the standout being the committed, determined and heartfelt performance from Sarah Megan Thomas. Stana Katic is a forceful presence too and the chemistry between the two is done with a lot of sincerity and respect. Linus Roache and Radhika Apte bring a lot of dignity to their roles. The rest of the cast are fine, with the enemy being portrayed as genuinely sinister and the film doesn't shy away from showing the horrors of what they did.

It is a good looking film, handsomely and atmospherically shot with a good eye for period detail that doesn't look too clean, the French scenes looking suitably uncompromising. The music has a nice mix of emotions and isn't overused or over-emphasised. The film is directed with a lot of committment and heart, it is easy to tell that the subject meant a lot to the director and all involved. The scripting on the whole is thoughtful and well intended, while the story has enough tension and poignancy (though there could have been more of the former).

Didn't think the storytelling or the film were perfectly executed though. There are too many cliched supporting characters and most of them are given too much short shrift. Khan is rather underdeveloped which is a far cry from the meaty character writing of Hall and Atkins and her fate was actually even more harrowing than presented in the film.

Some of the French dialogue is stilted and there are lulls in pacing where the action is a little too over-deliberate and relies too much on talk. Particularly early on.

Overall, solid effort. 7/10.

Good reconstruction

[Luigi Di Pilla · 6/10 · 27 August 2021]

Another puzzle under all the second war movies that completes the resistance machinery agains the German Gestapo.

Some British women took important functions to spy out the Nazis in France. It is well done with atmosphere and costumes. If you are Interested in this genre check it out. It was never boring and the actors played their roles very good. Solid 6/10.

Excellent movie. Great story, very moving.

[alfil_z18 · 9/10 · 27 February 2021]

Such a great story and very well told. Main characters have an strong background. The movie is interesting and with moving scenes.

Good WW2 movie

[lawelw-95516 · 7/10 · 13 June 2021]

I was interested in this after reading about Nancy Wake, another WW2 spy.

A missed opportunity considering the history.

[deloudelouvain · 5/10 · 15 January 2021]

I was looking forward to watch this movie. The story based on true events looked like something really interesting and informative, clearly a story with the potential to make a good movie. But the truth is that they failed to do that, the result is just a slow repetitive story, without any suspense, certainly not with the material they had for this story. The acting wasn't bad but the the plot was. To me it's a missed opportunity to make a good movie about a story that was worth to be told.

Great story of heroic people in history!

[auburnwantland · 9/10 · 16 November 2020]

How could everyone rate this so little? The actors were amazing, the filming, the script: it was wonderful! Those people gave their lives! More than any of these bad reviewer could give. I loved this movie. It was beautiful! Watch this and don't let the low rating turn you away.

Resourceful Female Spy Group

[iquine · 6/10 · 4 October 2022]

The British have created a group of female spies, under the request of Churchill, to conduct sabotage and who are passionate for their country and eager not to let the evil NAZI regime succeed. Many of these women are out in the field as well as sending coded messages from headquarters. The movie follows one female spy as she is spying out in the field and doesn't let her wooden leg slow her down and she becomes a notable target of the enemy. People in her sphere are routinely threatened by the Nazis as they are focused on capturing her but they refuse to give up any information about her. How much disruption will she be able to create and for how long? Overall, this was well-acted with quality production sets but left me wanting a bit more tension. It was nice to see another story on how the woman were able to contribute during the war.

Regrettably makes nonsense of the true events

[derek_da_costa13 · 3/10 · 26 December 2020]

Having lived through that period in London, whoever was responsible for costumes did no real research. No one in England or France had the new outfits worn by everybody. The actual SOE offices were sparse with minimum furniture and none of the interior design luxury with oil paintings and side lights of an interior design magazine. The attempts to have actors appear to speak French was pathetic. Phone accents with too many 'Bon Chance.' As for the doctor taking someone to lunch, both agents, in occupied France was ludicrous, with wine and chocolates included. The remarkably brave Noor Inayat Khan Died an even worse death in Dachau than conveyed in the movie. And for the truly amazing actual story of Virginia Hall. Do read it up. Extraordinary. Derek

Bravo!!

[juliafisherfarbman · 3 October 2020]

Loved the three female leads - each brought a lot of texture and depth to the screen. Also, so grateful to know about these amazing women in WWII! They should be common knowledge - so thank you to the filmmakers for educating us in an entertaining way!! Great movie!!!

For me, this film fell flat

[Marlburian · 6/10 · 14 January 2022]

Usually I enjoy films about agents in occupied France and the two female ones struck a chord with me - I'd read the story of Noor Inayat Khan back in the 1950s. And Vera Atkins and Colonel Buckmaster were intriguing characters.

But ACTS fell very flat and I gave up on it halfway through. As portrayed, all the main characters were colourless and the only one of the cast to make any impression on me was the gendarme questioning Virginia in the cafe!

Great watch great acting

[Lozza-G · 7/10 · 2 April 2021]

Love a true war story film but the real only mistake I could find was a spelling mistake In the UK we spell Authorised with an S not a Z Great acting from all it has to be said .

Falls short

[lambertrecovery · 6/10 · 29 October 2020]

I love Stana Katic but she can't make this film about the brave female spy's of the SOE better than "Female Agents" which has the near identical plot. Here, the main agent Sarah Thomas is heroic beyond words But in "Female Agents" Sophie Marceau is just outstanding in her role as the leader of a team dropped into France. I thought "Female Agent's" was much grittier, more suspenseful, and satisfying.

a very slow take on a chapter of the 2nd world war

[ops-52535 · 6/10 · 2 October 2020]

Its a female take on the female operational duties made under the 2 nd world war. its a film about the start and excecution of female operative spies on the allied side, where some of them in cooperation with the resistance organisations had real great importance on the outcome of the war in france.

its a very slow plot, where the actors really speaks slow to make the playtime longer, and where the lack of typical warfare operations and manouvers are absent, i think the reason is to reach out to the female part of the audiences, less violence more viewers, but thats my guessing. its also a lack of information on where things happen, some dates and places are released, but overall what and where we are, are almost absent

what is really well done, are the production design and the very well done location settings to the era were in. also some of the acting are up to date, but none stands out as brilliant. its merely casted with b and c actors, some we've seen in worn out tv series but not many of them. also the direction of extras on the outdoor sets are blemish and not believable, take some rewinds and youll see for yourself.

but its a warhistoric feature film( made on a rigid budget, that tells a story not well known to the public) that everyone should see and learn from. its not extravagant but a recommendable watch thinks the grumpy old man.

Gripping Tale.

[bobtc-879-913106 · 8/10 · 25 February 2021]

Just Brilliant. Very enjoyable. Heroes everyone. Great story of true events. Well made film.

Like the genre, but mixed execution

[davesjbb · 6/10 · 31 January 2021]

Well filmed and solid acting. Plot and dialogues were on the weaker side. Too bad because this was a great subject. I say it's worth a rent if you need something to watch.

Decent telling of extraordinary history

[theshanecarr · 5/10 · 1 June 2021]

This film is about the actions of three women involved as spies for the British against the Nazis during world war II. What these women did is extraordinary, and it is absolutely right that we commemorate them, but this film doesn't quite do them justice.

The film is written and produced by Sarah Megan Thomas, who also plays the lead, Virginia Hall. Virginia trained as a spy and served behind enemy lines in France despite having a wooden leg. Radhika Apte plays Noor Inayat Khan, a Muslim of Indian descent, who also spied for Britain in France. Stana Katic plays Vera Atkins - the handler working for the Special Operations Executive responsible for female spies.

I was a little familiar with Khan's story as she featured in an episode of Doctor Who, but I can see why Thomas was attracted to telling the story of these otherwise largely forgotten women who risked everything at a time when women were not treated with the same respect as men. At a time when women were not considered able for field work, they led from the front and showed they had the grit and courage to do it well.

Unfortunately, the script simply tries to do too much. Any one of these women would be a worthy subject for a movie but trying to tell all three of their stories at once means none of them get the screen time they deserve. Their stories and their arcs are truncated in a way that is distracting and left me wishing I could see what was going on in between the moments we saw of each of them.

Khan's story is particularly hurt by this. At one point she seems to simply be wandering aimlessly around Paris until she bumps into someone. Surely there was more method to her brand of madness than this?

(On a terribly minor note, it really irks me in a movie when the General or the CEO or the President or whatever appears to have nothing to do but fret and talk about the relatively minor character who is the movies subject. Here, apparently all the Special Operations Executive top brass have to do with their days is talk about Hall and Khan. Come on! At least give them a line where we see they do have other duties!) (Rant over.)

The film looks good. I don't know what the budget was but imagining it was relatively small, Kim Jennings and Vanessa Porter have done a great job of stretching the money to ensure the period details looks right in production design and costumes respectively.

Lydia Dean Pilcher directs competently and efficiently, and lands the emotional beats when she needs to.

I hate to judge the film for what it isn't but I cannot help thinking the material here would have made for a wonderful mini-series, but is simply too much for a films smaller attention real estate.

The kind of Sunday afternoon fare you'd be perfectly happy watching with the parents one rainy Sunday, or perhaps showing to your pre-teen daughter to show her girls have kicked ass in history too.

Good performance, well-told story

[kbl-80099 · 8/10 · 7 June 2021]

I was a bit skeptical about Stana Katic being cast in a war film, but I have to say she does a great job in this movie. This is a strong female movie with good casting and very good acting. I personally enjoy historic films and I liked this one.

Good topic, mediocre film

[mattjenkins · 6/10 · 24 February 2021]

The storyline was interesting but not exploited enough to make it entertaining. Apart from Linus Roache who is English, all the other main actors had strained and unauthentic English accents that distracted from what was going on. The locations for all of the scenes set in the U.K. were completely unrecognisable and just looked like American actors thinking they were being English in the 1940s on an obvious American film set. A mix of good actors but not in a decent film.

Unconvincing

[wallisus · 4/10 · 28 October 2021]

While the subject matter is an important story that should be told, there are some faults in the production. There seems to be no blackout in force either in London or in France. Cars drive at night with full headlights on. A German officer tells a soldier to " get this flier out", a term that would not have been used by Germans at that time. Also, there are many gaps in the story. The prisoners caught trying to blow an ammunition train escape can with the aid of a Monopoly game, but are not shown how they escaped. Once they escape, they go straight back to their base, the first place the Germans would look for them. There are many other scenes such as these that make the film look like it has cheap production values.