The Impossible Spy

"The Impossible Spy" is a so-so spy flick and docudrama which tells of renowned Israeli spy Eli Cohen and his penetration of the Syrian government in the years prior to the Six Days War. The film has the look of a low budget indie and, though it's well meaning and earnest, it is not a very elegant flick. Furthermore, much of the story seems too obvious to be real spy stuff which probably just means it's true. Recommended for those into spy flicks or the history of the Syrian/Israel conflict of the 1960's.

It's the same about all addictions in life, whether it is roulette, alcoholism, or, as in this case, the spying business. Our man here actually tries to quit and leave it behind, going to a normal life with wife and children, but Mossad just can't let such a natural gift with such a miraculous memory just lead a normal life, they try again and again to get him hooked for another job, and ultimately he can't resist it. He is so clever that he is successful, and he gets away with it and returns to his wife and children, everything seems to reach an established happy end, and yet he just wants to return to continue the job. Even Mossad tries to dissuade him, but he goes back one last time well aware of the risk he is taking.

The most interesting actor here is not Eli Wallach, who is always of extreme interest, nor John Shea as the lead, who is also absolutely credible in excellence, but Sason Gabay as the Syrian general whom he befriends and betrays. When his treason is beyond repair and nothing more can save him, the general still speaks with him, they still have a friendly conversation, the general has every reason to hate him and shoot him down without flinching, but he stays self-controlled and even grants the traitor his last wishes, giving the impression that he actually respects his former best friend who turned traitor more than hen can respect the general. Sason Gabay makes an almost unforgettable character of cool detachment in the most intolerable possible situation of a betrayed relationship.

The story is true and has the character of a genuine documentary.

It stands to reason that in the 1960s, leading up to the six-day war that pitted Israel against its Arab neighbors, technology was still rather basic, to the extent that communications were made by Morse, much as had been done in the Second World War, some 20 years before.

In light of that, it is not beyond reason to accept that an Israeli born in Syria could pass for a Syrian Arab, and so infiltrate El Fattah, among other splinter groups vying for power in Syria, thereby obtaining information to help Israeli defense. I found it tougher to swallow that this spy would promptly find a very senior military figure among the Syrian rebel forces vying to topple the government. Even tougher to believe that he would become his chum without attracting any suspicions.

Just as Eli Cohen was picked by Mossad because he did not look like a spy and had a low profile life, so he makes it as a smartly dressed businessman who somehow ingratiates his way to learning a great deal about the array and position of Syrian forces ready to attack Israeli kibbutzin.

Acting is strictly standard and less, only Eli Wallach catches your eye. Cohen's good looking wife, long suffering over hubby's lengthy absences, looks too amateurish.

Anyway, nothing much happens by way of action. 5/10.

The impossible spy 1987 (although roku has this as released 1986). Stars john shea, eli wallach. Cohen, an isreali, is sent to syria to gather information for mossad. He cozies up to all the syrian leaders, and learns their structure and habits. He even gets an apartment next to the headquarters. He learns the locations of troops and arms, and makes a trip back to israel to see his wife and pass the information to mossad, to help during the six day war. It runs like a documentary, all done pretty well. More details in the elie cohen entry in wikipedia dot com. The only other thing i had seen by jim goddard was shanghai surprise, and that didn't turn out well. He did win a bafta for the series "kennedy".

The Impossible Spy is a BBC co-production and was deemed to be controversial at the time of its showing.

John Shea plays Eli Cohen who infiltrates the Syrian government and manages to acquire secrets and military intelligence which eventually allows Israel to win the Six Days War and take over The Golan Heights.

Eli Wallach plays the Mossad handler. Both leads are earnest and for a BBC TV film very different from its usual subject matter.

It can be seen to be slow and slightly heavy going. It is of course rather one sided hence the controversy as it was seen to have had an Israeli bias.