A Call to Spy

    A Call to Spy
    2020

    Synopsis

    The story of Vera Atkins, a crafty spy recruiter, and two of the first women she selects for Churchill's "secret army": Virginia Hall, a daring American undaunted by a disability and Noor Inayat Khan, a pacifist. These civilian women form an unlikely sisterhood while entangled in dangerous missions to turn the tide of the war.

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    Cast

    • Sarah Megan ThomasVirginia Hall
    • Stana KaticVera Atkins
    • Radhika ApteNoor Inayat Khan
    • Linus RoacheMaurice Buckmaster
    • Rossif SutherlandDr. Chevain
    • Samuel RoukinChristopher
    • Laila RobinsPirani
    • Marc RissmannKlaus Barbie
    • David SchaalColonel Gubbins
    • Matt SalingerWilliam Donovan

    Recommendations

    • 88

      RogerEbert.com

      An engrossing and often thrilling spy drama, and a tribute to this courageous and diverse group of women.
    • 75

      IndieWire

      True stories about brave, everyday people fighting evil powers never go out of fashion, and “A Call to Spy” joins their ranks with ease.
    • 70

      Film Threat

      An important, compelling story that had to be told.
    • 70

      Variety

      In a world hungering for depictions of national valor and compassion, the movie’s variations on heroism are a boon.
    • 67

      Austin Chronicle

      Even with all the conflations and simplifications, and a middle act that verges on an extended montage of guerrilla warfare and undercover intrigue, A Call to Spy is undeniably a heartfelt take on a fascinating and heartbreaking true tale of heroism.
    • 60

      The New York Times

      One wishes the movie had been imagined as a limited series, which would give viewers an opportunity to spend more time with these women whose lives were so clearly rich and textured — not to mention, courageous.
    • 60

      Los Angeles Times

      It’s refreshing to come at the spy genre from a different angle and rewarding to be introduced to these extraordinary women. Just don’t expect a pulse-pounder or even a particularly atmospheric, experiential film.
    • 60

      The Guardian

      Thomas and Pilcher are determined to avoid making a flashy war epic, and stress the sacrifices of everyone involved; the downside of this is that A Call to Spy has a stolid pacing that makes you feel every minute of its two-hours-plus running time. But it’s still an interesting story that’s yet to fully come into the light.