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By far the most ambitious project undertaken by Euston Films, the epic
twelve-part mini-series Reilly, Ace of Spies (ITV) was an astonishing success
when first shown in 1983, turning New Zealand actor Sam Neill into a household
name. Although often fanciful, the script by Troy Kennedy Martin packs such
tremendous excitement and intrigue into every episode that it comes as no
surprise to learn that the entire production team had previously worked on The
Sweeney (ITV, tx. 1975-78).
Directing duties were shared between action specialist Jim Goddard and the
up-and-coming Martin Campbell, who would collaborate with Kennedy Martin once
again on the classic drama Edge of Darkness (BBC, 1986).
The opening episode, 'An Affair with a Married Woman' (tx. 5/9/1983) sets up
Reilly as a cool, calculating womaniser, a ruthless and cynical manipulator who
won't let anyone stand in his way. It also introduces Basil Zaharoff, the
munitions king, played with typical bravura by Leo McKern. For subsequent
episodes Michael Bryant provides a narration to keep the sprawling 25-year
narrative in check.
Reilly also features early TV performances by Bill Nighy, Lindsay Duncan and
Joanna Whalley and provides strong roles for such established players as Tom
Bell, David Burke (as Stalin) and Kenneth Cranham (particularly good as Lenin),
with Ian Charleson appearing as Bruce Lockhart, whose son Robin wrote the book
on which the series was based. Rather less successful is the politically
incorrect casting (under heavy make-up) of the otherwise excellent David Suchet
as Manchurian policeman Tsientin.
Reilly's beginnings as Sigmund Rosenblum, an illegitimate son from an
upstanding family in Odessa, are explored in 'Anna' (tx. 21/9/1983), an
excellent but contrived episode in which Reilly's searches for his errant wife
(Jeananne Crowley) and an Australian oil magnate both lead to Paris, where he
happens to find his long-lost sister, leading to a shattering conclusion with
strong intimations of incest.
The series mainly deals with two phases of Reilly's career, the first
concentrating on his endeavours to acquire access to adequate oil reserves for
the British, the second dealing with his attempts to overthrow the Bolshevik
authorities in Russia and set up a new government with himself at its head. This
ultimately proved his undoing, leading to a moving finale in 'Shutdown' (tx.
16/11/1983).
The uncredited theme music, adapted from Dmitri Shostakovich's 'Romance' from
The Gadfly (Russia, 1955), was so popular that it was released as a
single.
Sergio Angelini
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1. Bolsheviks (6:08)
