BBC iPlayer adds 'suspenseful and moving' war film about real-life hero

BBC iPlayer has just welcomed a gripping film rooted in real events, which first hit screens in 2020.

This captivating historical espionage thriller is now available to watch at no cost, featuring Benedict Cumberbatch in the role of Greville Wynne, a British tradesman enlisted by the Secret Intelligence Service.

His mission involved acting as a go-between with Russian intelligence asset Oleg Penkovsky (portrayed by Merab Ninidze) during the 1960s.

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The Courier, formerly known as Ironbark, made its debut at the Sundance Film Festival in 2020 before reaching American and British cinemas in 2021.

Critics showered the production with praise on Rotten Tomatoes, earning an impressive 85% critics' score and a remarkable 95% audience approval rating, reports the Express.

The narrative centres on ordinary British merchant Greville Wynne, who finds himself drawn into one of history's most significant global tensions.

The plot description elaborates: "At the behest of the UK's MI-6 and a CIA operative (Rachel Brosnahan), he forms a covert, dangerous partnership with Soviet officer Oleg Penkovsky (Merab Ninidze) in an effort to provide crucial intelligence needed to prevent a nuclear confrontation and defuse the Cuban Missile Crisis."

Reviewers praised the production as a "rousingly effective old-school spy adventure elevated by a thrilling fact-based story and Benedict Cumberbatch's nervy central performance".

One viewer gushed: "Thrilling and heartbreaking. Benedict Cumberbatch really doesn't disappoint."

Ready Steady Cut declared: "The Courier has everything you want in a Cold War spy thriller. It's solidly paced and strikes a nice balance of suspense and moving human drama."

Zach Pope reviews noted: "What could have easily been a boring slog of a film is turned into a daring, intense drama."

Cumberbatch received particular praise for his outstanding performance, with iNews among other outlets commenting: "The brilliance of Cumberbatch's performance lies in the way he conveys both Wynne's venality and his idealism."

The real-life espionage work of Wynne and Penkovsky was uncovered by the KGB, leading to both men being detained in November 1962.

Wynne received an eight-year prison sentence but was freed in April 1964 in a prisoner swap for Soviet agent Konon Molody, following British worries about his declining health.

Following his release, Wynne resumed his business activities.

The Courier is available on BBC iPlayer.