The Courier
Movie Trailer
Release Date
March 19, 2021
Genre
Thriller, Drama, Historical
Cast & Crew
- Benedict Cumberbatch as Greville Wynne
- Merab Ninidze as Oleg Penkovsky
- Rachel Brosnahan as Emily Donovan
- Jessie Buckley as Sheila Wynne
- Angus Wright as Dickie Franks
- Kirill Pirogov as Gribanov
- Vladimir Chuprikov as Nikita Khrushchev
Director
Dominic Cooke
Other Movies Director is Known For:
- On Chesil Beach (2017)
- The Hollow Crown (2012) (TV series)
Producer
Ben Browning
Adam Ackland
Ben Pugh
Rory Aitken
Writer
Tom O’Connor
Budget
$15-20 million
Production Company
42
FilmNation Entertainment
SunnyMarch
Running Time
112 minutes
Languages
English (Original), with Russian and other languages (subtitled)
Maturity Rating
PG-13
Content Advisory
- Some language
- Intense sequences of espionage
- Depictions of imprisonment and torture
Movie Story
The Courier is a tense historical thriller based on the true story of Greville Wynne (Benedict Cumberbatch), a British businessman who unwittingly becomes a key player in one of the most significant moments of the Cold War. The film is set in the early 1960s, during the height of tensions between the United States and the Soviet Union.
Wynne, an ordinary salesman with no prior connection to the world of espionage, is recruited by MI6 and the CIA to act as a courier between the West and Oleg Penkovsky (Merab Ninidze), a high-ranking Soviet military officer who has become disillusioned with the Soviet regime. Penkovsky, motivated by a desire to prevent nuclear war, offers to pass along crucial intelligence regarding the Soviet Union’s nuclear capabilities. Wynne’s task is to travel to Moscow under the guise of business, collect the intelligence from Penkovsky, and relay it back to the West.
As Wynne and Penkovsky form a close bond, the stakes of their mission become increasingly clear. The information they provide plays a pivotal role in defusing the Cuban Missile Crisis, but it also puts both men in grave danger. Wynne, who initially views the mission as a temporary diversion from his mundane life, finds himself deeply entangled in the perilous world of espionage.
The film explores the personal costs of espionage, as Wynne’s involvement strains his relationship with his wife, Sheila (Jessie Buckley), who is unaware of his secret life. Meanwhile, Penkovsky risks everything, knowing that discovery by the KGB would mean certain death. As the net closes around them, Wynne and Penkovsky’s courage and sacrifice become central to the narrative, culminating in a harrowing portrayal of their eventual capture and imprisonment.
The Courier is not only a spy thriller but also a character-driven drama that delves into the emotional and psychological toll of espionage. Benedict Cumberbatch delivers a powerful performance as Wynne, capturing the character’s transformation from a reluctant participant to a committed and courageous spy. The film’s historical context and attention to detail provide a gripping and realistic portrayal of Cold War espionage.
Special Effects
The Courier relies on its authentic period setting and character-driven storytelling rather than on heavy special effects. The film’s production design, costume design, and cinematography effectively recreate the atmosphere of the early 1960s, with attention to detail that immerses the audience in the Cold War era. The tension is built through the film’s pacing, dialogue, and the actors’ performances, rather than through visual effects, giving the film a grounded and realistic feel.
Box Office Performance
The Courier grossed approximately $26 million worldwide. Released during the COVID-19 pandemic, the film had a limited theatrical release and found much of its audience through video-on-demand and streaming platforms. Despite the challenging release environment, the film received positive reviews from critics, particularly for Cumberbatch’s performance and its compelling portrayal of a lesser-known but significant historical event.
Filming Locations
- Prague, Czech Republic
- London, England, UK
Notable Quotes
- “I’m just a salesman.” – Greville Wynne
- “No, you’re much more than that.” – Oleg Penkovsky
- “We need to prevent a war. If I can help, I feel I must.” – Oleg Penkovsky
- “This is the highest level of treason.” – KGB Agent
Behind-the-Scenes
Director Dominic Cooke aimed to create a film that balanced the suspense of a spy thriller with the emotional depth of a character study. Benedict Cumberbatch underwent a significant physical transformation for the role, losing weight to portray Wynne’s harrowing imprisonment. The film’s production design focused on authenticity, with locations in Prague standing in for 1960s Moscow. The filmmakers worked closely with historians to ensure the accuracy of the events depicted, while also crafting a narrative that would engage modern audiences.
Awards
- Nominated for Best Actor (Benedict Cumberbatch) at the 2021 British Independent Film Awards
- Nominated for Best Original Screenplay at the 2021 Satellite Awards
Final Verdict
The Courier is a compelling and well-crafted historical thriller that shines a light on a pivotal but lesser-known story from the Cold War. Benedict Cumberbatch delivers a standout performance as Greville Wynne, bringing depth and humanity to the role. The film’s blend of suspense, drama, and historical accuracy makes it an engaging and thought-provoking watch for fans of spy thrillers and historical dramas alike. The Courier serves as a reminder of the bravery and sacrifices made by ordinary people during extraordinary times.
IMDb Rating
7.2/10