User Reviews

Poliakoff always moves us with powerful photographs, every show of his has managed to stir the senses, and captivate us with pictures. He dies that once again here, it's quite superb.

I have been blown away by the acting, but most of all by Mark Bonnar and Timothy Spall, both are playing huge, powerful characters, and both actors, always seem to play the good guys, are quite superb, delivering big performances. I find it hard to believe Claire Bloom is 88 here, superb, and such a glorious speaking voice.

The story, for all it's wandering, cold war, possible abductions, stolen moments, shoot outs, had me captivated. 10/10

It's a delicious drama, somewhat meandering in parts. I'm engrossed. 9/10

When Sasha runs away from his boarding school, I kept reminding myself that the little boy is Stephen Poliakoff who was packed to a boarding school that he hated.

Sasha sees something in school about Kathleen's missing son Anthony and he must contact her. Kathleen meanwhile is getting frantic with her search for Anthony, now putting posters up.

Samuel is caught between Lord Wallington and Field who he increasing distrusts. Field's dog understands some Russian words.

Wallington tells Samuel, he could be made to easily disappear by the likes of Field and sure enough Samuel finds himself in danger.

I actually took a break from this to catch up on other Poliakoff dramas that he had written. It allowed me to get a sense of rhythm with his writing and make me familiar with the band of actors who have appeared in his previous works such as Toby Stephens and Timothy Spall. Poliakoff likes to tell visual stories from pictures as he did in Shooting the Past.

It is still impenetrable although no doubt cryptic clues are being laid. Adrian Edmondson turns up in a sketch comedy that people are watching on television. Wallington warns Samuel of Soviet infiltration of the spy services but can he really be trusted along with Field?