Rent A Call to Spy (2019)

Insight into the Special Operations Executive - A Call to Spy review by CP Customer

I enjoyed this film about the social operations executive and the valuable work undertaken by women as spies etc to disrupt the Nazi regime in France.  Had me glued to the screen, the acting from the cast was first rate and I had empathy for the people chosen and traumas they went through to help us win the war.

Dull old-fashioned WW2 drama - A Call to Spy review by Alphaville

This is an old-fashioned British WW2 drama about female spies. We see them being recruited, trained and sent to France. In other words, it’s a by-the-numbers plot. You can almost predict what’s going to happen next. The film opens with a torture scene followed by the dreaded caption Three Months Earlier – always a sign of a film not confident that it’s first act will keep you interested.

It’s based on true stories of brave women and is well-meaning, but that doesn’t make it a good film. Stolid first-time direction by an ex-producer drains every scene of life and gives it a Sunday evening TV drama vibe that makes it disappointingly flat and uninvolving.

True tale - A Call to Spy review by HM

Although there are many more true stories of SOE operations, this film concentrates on the early days and specifically on an American operative and those that were in her orbit in France. The story is all the more compelling as it doesn't bull up the events to overkill. There is a compelling feeling of dread throughout without resorting or being attracted to tales of shoot outs. Fine performances all round and an air of reality.

The Germans are for once not shown as brutal dumb goons, but all the more beleivable for that. A good drama all tound and sincere.