Summary: Short fiction feature film about the activities of Russian intelligence agents in London.
Description: Russian diplomat Nikolai Popov arrives in Britain and is driven to the Russian Embassy. Inside, he meets with his colleague Petrovich and Evans, a corrupt journalist, and discusses potential intelligence contacts. Evans has invited a mousy little clerk from the Defence department - Cyril Vining - to a private view. Popov goes along and butters him up. Later, Popov is given details of Flight Sergeant Harry Wilson, a man who might "be persuaded to cooperate", and assigns Evans and agent Ivanich to locate and recruit Wilson. Skornik, another agent, meets Wilson and blackmails him into helping the Russians. Meanwhile, Popov contacts Vining, invites him to the ballet and for a meal, and persuades him to write pieces for a Russian journal; later, he plays on Vining's insecurities to get him to find out details of Polaris movements. (Reel 2) Flight Sergeant Wilson, scared, tells his bosses at the Air Ministry and confesses that he was "on the fiddle" when posted in Moscow and had been caught by the KGB. The Ministry agrees to help. Vining and Popov meet on the Thames and exchange secrets; later, Popov rendezvous with Wilson at Chalk Farm, but a British agent is nearby to witness them. After an MOD briefing at Stafford House, it is decided to keep Popov under surveillance. He is followed as he travels across London to meet Vining at London Zoo; Vining is later trailed to home and to work, where he uses a spy camera. On two occasions he is witnessed passing microfilm to Popov. Operation "Redland" is planned; British agents follow Vining down Tottenham Court Road and Goodge Street and on to Regent's Park. Popov and Vining are apprehended at the moment of exchange. Popov escapes criminal charges by claiming diplomatic immunity, but is swiftly sent back to Russia - his passport stamped PERSONA NON GRATA.
Production Details: HM Government (Production sponsor)
Central Office of Information (Production sponsor)
World Wide Pictures (Production company)
Eady, David (Production individual)
Carr, James (Production individual)
Bond, Julian (Production individual)
Reeves, Kenneth (Production individual)
Birch, Peter (Production individual)
Gilpin, Peter (Production individual)
Lewthwaite, Bill (Production individual)
Caulins, Alvar (Production individual)
Rawlinson, Brian (Production cast)
Glyn-Jones, John (Production cast)
Napier, Russell (Production cast)
Hughes, Robert (Production cast)
Bartman, Frederick (Production cast)
Anthony, Michael (Production cast)
Arden, Neal (Production cast)
Conrad, Jan (Production cast)
Jack, Stephen (Production cast)
Jordan, Patrick (Production cast)
Martin, Julie (Production cast)
Otway, John (Production cast)
Sansom, Robert (Production cast)
Woodruffe, Anthony (Production cast)
Personalities, Units and Organisations:
Keywords: London, England, UK (geography)
Propaganda (concept)
Physical Characteristics: Colour format: B&W
Sound format: Sound
Soundtrack language: English
Title language: English
Subtitle language: None
Technical Details: Format: 16mm
Number of items/reels/tapes: 2
Footage: 2166 ft; Running time: 58 mins
