User Reviews

This is a wonderful mini-series about a lesser known part of World War II, and a man who contributed to the creation of Office Of Strategic Services (later to become Central Intelligence Agency).

This shows the "true" story of the training and preparation of spies and saboteurs for work in France. They were recruited and then shipped to Ontario, Canada to a secret base called Camp X near the great lakes. There they were given in depth training for missions behind enemy lines.

While the novel "A Man Called Intrepid" was a ground-breaking work in its time, later researchers have taken away a lot of its credibility.

I remember watching this mini-series in its original broadcast and loving it. Sir David Niven brought a certain class to the project, though he has almost nothing in common with the real William Stephenson.

Barbara Hershey was stunning and heroic.

Paul Harding was mesmerizing as the German torturer. I will always remember his request for a prisoner to kneel before the firing squad. Before the defiance of his "charge" he explains. "It is not symbolic, merely efficient". And with one line is summed up the brutality of the Nazi regime.

Catch it if you can on DVD or re-broadcast on the history channel.

try rarewarfilms.com as this was never officially made available.

I bought a copy of the mini series on ebay, the guy who had it lived all the way in Denmark.

Funny thing is that it was copied from television less than 60 miles from where I live in California.

The film was a bit disappointing if you read the book. Characters were merged and changed.

All in all though it was still very good.

People really need to read the forward of the book to see similarities of what is going on today. We may once again be involved in a war that we may or may not be able to win.

A rousing and moving film , condensed in a miniseres formed by three episodes , packing noisy action, secret assignments , high adventure , dramatic events and spectacular outdoors from Norway . This miniseries concerns the international Allied Intelligence , an important espionage network and its main spies as Michael York, Barbara Hershey and David Niven as chief commander . It deals with several undercover operations , including the breaking of German Enigma Code and the destruction of an installation where Nazis are making atomic bomb as well as heavy water . As they attempt to stop Nazis to produce an atomic bomb component during WWII . In the movie appears some historic roles as Winston Churchill: Nigel Stock talking on his bed , and prestigious scientists as Albert Einstein: Golland, Heisenberg : Wiggins , Nils Bohr : Larry Reynolds , all of them artificers of the nuclear bomb . The Secret War from the International best-selling book...The greatest spy adventure ever lived -because it's true ! .

A gripping series with personal heoism, incredible feats , sacrifice and wartime adventures . Although this series takes liberities some historic facts , some technical details are surprisingly correct given that it was made more than thirty years after the war . Regarding Office of Strategic Services , after becoming famous Central Intelligence Agency, CIA . There are several historical events well described in the movie as the machine Enigma to decode the German keys , the Coventry bombing, and especially the destruction of the main Nazi scientific project : to make the atomic bomb by bombing the heavy water that are transporting aboard a ship , events formerly treated in The Heroes of Telemark 1965 by Anthony Mann with Kirk Douglas , Richard Harris . But the actual life mission that this film is based on were conducted by Norwegian members of the British Special Operation and resulted in the death of thirty British commando soldiers . Some of them were captured , interrogated and shot by the Nazi Gestapo whilst some of them died when two gliders crashed during landing in Norway. The picture was professionally directed by Peter Carter (Highpoint, Adventures of Jack London, , Convoy II, Rituals, The Wolf Dog, , The Rowdyman, The Collaborators , McQueen, To see ourselves).

I found it on a site called "rarewarfilms"They sell a DVD set. Haven't received it yet, so can't vouch for service or quality, but at least they have it for sale.

First of all I've got to say that I actually was an extra in this film back in 1979, as one of the passengers getting on the ferry before it was sunk. Really exciting, me being 12 years old, and half the local school was meeting both David Niven and Michael York. But the one actor really impressive in this film is Barbra Hershey.

Secondly I must say that this had a theatrically release in Norway, and on VHS video, where the film is no longer than 2 hours. But I understand the film was more of a TV-series in other countries. I still think it's wrong to say this is a TV-movie, because it wasn't only.

This story goes behind some of the important things happening during 2nd World War, and does not show how things really happened around in different places in Europe. But this film tells about some of the people doing the sabotage actions, and the people behind ordering and planning them.

I think this is very neatly done. The film has a really good pace, and you never tend to lose interest in what's going on. Some scenes are among those you cant forget. I see others also think so about the torture scene, where Hershey is the victim. We've seen torture in many films, but this is such great acting from Hershey. You really feel like you're undergoing her experiences, though hardly obviously.

Some of the world's greatest happenings during the 2nd World War is featured in the film, as the Enigma-turn of the war, and the last part of the reknown Heavy water sabotage in Rjukan in 1944, which made Hitler giving up his dream of getting the atomic bomb produced.

This is also the last of the good films from the great David Niven. The 5 films after this are easily forgotten. This film deserves a greater audience. If you get the chance, enjoy! So someone; get it out on DVD!

I've seen this movie on TV a number of years ago & have been trying (unsuccessfully) to obtain a copy on VHS/DVD for repeat personal viewing.

Of course, the key point of interest is Camp X, situated outside of Toronto - a base for training.

The book on this story is the ONLY book I've ever read cover to cover (without being 'forced' to read).

It is a favorite of mine & would like to have a copy of the film on DVD or VHS.

Can anyone advise where I may get a copy (for purchase, of course).

Many thanks/ Skipper