Penkovsky's career in the Soviet military had been hindered by the fact that his father had died fighting as an officer for the White Army against the Bolsheviks (Red Army) during the Russian Civil War (1917 1923) and Penkovsky didn't denounce this legacy. Explore how the celebrity world connects. Wynne married his second wife, Herma van Buren, in 1970. But his leaked information on Soviet missile capabilities and played a key role in President Kennedy'sstrong, successful stance duringthe Cuban Missile Crisis. They were alone in the world with this incredible burden except for the other man.. The Courier is also not the first time that Greville Wynnes story has attracted attention over the years. Benedict Cumberbatch delivers an appealing, technically tricky performance in "The Courier," in which he plays Greville Wynne, a British salesman who in the 1960s became an improbable player . It was directed by English director Dominic Cook, who is also known for films such as On Chesil Beach and Follies. Penkovsky had made earlier offers to spy for the West. Penkovskys dynamism and enthusiasm, his wide-ranging and passionate denunciations of the Soviet system and its leaders illustrated with anecdotes, fascinated and captivated the American and British teams, write Schecter and Deriabin. Bert Wynne{ "@context": "http://schema.org", "@type": "Person", "name": "Bert Wynne", "gender": "Male" }, Ada Wynne{ "@context": "http://schema.org", "@type": "Person", "name": "Ada Wynne", "gender": "Female" }, Gordon Beaton{ "@context": "http://schema.org", "@type": "Person", "name": "Gordon Beaton", "gender": "Male" }, Elsie Beaton{ "@context": "http://schema.org", "@type": "Person", "name": "Elsie Beaton", "gender": "Female" }, married about 31 Jul 1970divorce circa 1986, Nada Wynne{ "@context": "http://schema.org", "@type": "Person", "name": "Nada Wynne", "gender": "Female" }, Andrew Wynne{ "@context": "http://schema.org", "@type": "Person", "name": "Andrew Wynne", "gender": "Male" }, Cromwell Hospital, South Kensington, London, England, UK, Nottingham University, Nottinghamshire, England, United Kingdom, View Greville Wynne's Family Tree and History, Ancestry and Genealogy, Greville Wynne's father was Bert Wynne Greville Wynne's mother was Ada Wynne, Greville Wynne's former wife is Herma van Buren Greville Wynne's former wife was Sheila Wynne, Greville Wynne's former father in law was Gordon Beaton Greville Wynne's former mother in law was Elsie Beaton, View Sheila Wynne's Family Tree and History, Ancestry and Genealogy, Sheila Wynne's father was Gordon Beaton Sheila Wynne's mother was Elsie Beaton, Sheila Wynne's former husband was Greville Wynne, Sheila Wynne's former father in law was Bert Wynne Sheila Wynne's former mother in law was Ada Wynne Sheila Wynne's former sister in law is Nada Wynne. [5] His business extended into Eastern Bloc countries from 1955. [9][10][11], Wynne was held at the Lubyanka. Wynne set up his own business as an exporter of industrial engineering products in 1950. In 2021 in the UK, Greville Wynne and Oleg Penkovskys story was brought to the big screen, as the film The Courier was released. This intelligence gave both the United Kingdom and the United States the knowledge necessary to manage the quickly evolving military friction with the Soviet Union. In November 1960, Greville Wynne, a 41-year-old British businessman, sat down for a lunch that would change his life. However, Wynne and his wife Sheila split up, after Sheila became suspicious of his frequent trips to Eastern Europe and the Soviet State, thinking that he was having an affair. He divorced his first wife Sheila after his return before entering a second failed marriage. He was 71. In a later interview Wynne said: It came out in my interrogation in the early days of my imprisonment that they suspected me of black marketeering. MRS SHEILA WYNNE, WIFE OF MR.GREVILLE WYNNE, A BRITISH BUSINESSMAN HELD IN RUSSIA ON AN? He was detained at Lubyanka prison. It seems likely that Wynne did have an affair in the years prior to becoming a spy for MI6, though we found little evidence to verify this. In 1961 and 1962, at the height of the Cold War, disgruntled colonel Oleg Penkovsky (portrayed by Merab Ninidze) became the highest-ranking Soviet military official to spy for the United Kingdom up until that time. LONDON (AP) _ Greville Wynne, a British spy who told in his celebrated memoirs how he pried loose some of Moscow's best-kept secrets and who served 18 months in a Soviet prison for espionage, has died. This was an encounter that would propel Wynne into a dangerous shadowy world of espionage and on a breathtaking adventure that ultimately helped prevent World War III from breaking out. It involved a lot of foreign travel, including trips to Soviet bloc countries, and thus provided ideal cover for spying. Other unconfirmed claims reckoned he committed suicide in a Soviet labour camp. He just couldnt tell the truth. And he wrote two memoirs about his time as a spy The Man From Moscow in 1967 and The Man From Odessa in 1981. Penkovsky was executed the following year and Wynne was sentenced to eight years imprisonment. The man sitting across the table from him revealed he worked for MI6 and that 41-year-old Wynnes frequent trips to Eastern Europe selling British electrical engineering parts to industrial companies would be the perfect cover for a job the secret service needed doing. A drink-loving. The film mentions a previous affair, which is part of the reason Sheila is suspicious this time. Greville Wynne was born on March 19 1919. In the article, well explore exactly who Greville Wynne was, his spy activity and how his story sparked such wide intrigue. Wynne went along, slightly concerned about whether Penkovsky was on the level and concerned about putting himself into a dangerous situation, kicking off what would be one of the most productive clandestine operations in Cold War history. British Spy Greville Wynne Dead At 71. Wynne himself had earlier stated that Penkovsky had been shot, including during his appearance on the game show To Tell the Truth. Usually we get asked to do the same role, so we help each other out with learning the script and we give each other advice.. In this edition, we will be focusing on the remarkable life and story of British spy, Greville Wynne. During the lunch, acquaintance Dickie Franks disclosed that he is an officer of the British Secret Intelligence Service (MI6) and revealed that he required Wynnes assistance. No question." The Courier is in cinemas now In February 1990, it was announced Wynne had died of. Both men were arrested in November 1962, around the time of the Cuban Missile Crisis. The tense exchange of prisoners, which went ahead despite fears that the Soviets might give Wynne a slow-acting poison, came as a surprise to the travelling saleman-cum-spy. Description. [14], Wynne struggled with depression and alcoholism in the aftermath of imprisonment. This incredible story is the focus of a new movie called The Courier starring Benedict Cumberbatch as Wynne a role that clearly excites him. He struggled with dyslexia and left school at 14 to work for an electrical contractor. However, life wasn't always easy for Wynne after his imprisonment. Greville passed away on February 28 1990, at age 70. While this was truly harrowing punishment, his Russian colleague Penkovsky paid the ultimate price with his life. "Most experts agreethat what Penkovsky provided on the Soviet's capabilities was extremely useful during the Cuban Missile crisis," saysRobert English, director of Central European Studies at the University of Southern California. We hope you have enjoyed our insight into the story of British spy Greville Wynne and that you have learned about this Cold War story. Strange" to Sherlock Holmes. It isnt common knowledge as to whether Andrew and Greville retained a relationship following the divorce. He later died of throat cancer in London. This was because he took regular business trips to Eastern Europe. Some of the most advanced and very best spy cameras on the market. Your Privacy Rights Data security and recovery solutions. 0.06 2. His name was Konon Molody, but was known in the West as Gordon Lonsdale. Mr Andrew Greville Wynne. To top it off, it would have been physically impossible at the time. He said he acted as the intermediary for Soviet double agent Col. Oleg Penkovsky, a senior military intelligence officer who passed Moscow secrets to MI6 and the CIA. In the movie, they arrest Penkovsky shortly after discovering he was a double agent. Home Spy Histories The Story Of British Spy Greville Wynne. Here's what to know about Wynne's real history. The almost universally accepted version of events is that Oleg Penkovsky was executed in 1963 for providing top-secret information to the United Kingdom. The affair developed into the 1962 Cuban missile crisis. Benedict Cumberbatch: Battled mystery flu, fake crew cut facing Jodie Foster in 'The Mauritanian'. Greville Wynne was a British businessman who had a liking for the drink and the ability to travel between countries without question. See our car trackers, asset trackers, GPS trackers and people trackers. She had worked as his secretary and interpreter, speaking eight languages. It quoted unidentified close friends. Never before had there been a Soviet spy like him.. [12] In April 1964, amid British concerns for his deteriorating health,[6] Wynne was released in exchange for the Soviet spy Konon Molody (also known as Gordon Lonsdale).[13]. Our collection of landline recorders and mobile phone monitoring devices. Johanna Herma van Buren. Click here to Start FameChaining. However, in real life, IRONBARK was the codename for the documents that Soviet double agent Oleg Penkovsky had been passing to the CIA. A drink-lovingbon vivante as portrayed onscreen, Wynne'sreal-life salesmanship and genuine naivet made him perfect for throwing off serious suspicion. Wynne was flown from Hungary to Moscow, where he was brutally tortured before being sentenced to eight years in a Soviet labour camp. Like in the movie, they had one son together, Andrew. The UK's supply crisis puts extra pressure on Prime Minister Boris. Strange' sequel, Benedict Cumberbatchs latest film, The Courier, which he also executive produced, tells the true story of an ordinary, British businessman who was recruited to become a hero spy during the Cuban Missile Crisis. 0.10 3. . [8][9] Wynne was sentenced to eight years in prison. Wynne died of throat cancer in Londons Cromwell Hospital on Wednesday, the British domestic news agency Press Association reported. Despite what hed been through, Wynne head shaved while in prison still managed to joke in an interview that the style was the prisons interpretation of a haircut. The unlikely British spy was freed in 1964 in exchange forSoviet spy Konon Molody. But that would all change dramatically in November 1960 on the day he met an old acquaintance who had invited him to lunch at a London restaurant. [4], In November 1960, Wynne was recruited by MI6 and asked to make a sales trip to Moscow,[6] where he made contact with Oleg Penkovsky, a high-ranking GRU officer. Penkovsky was arrested first, and after his interrogation, Wynne was apprehended. The KGB waited to arrest Penkovsky so that they could build up a case against him that didn't expose their moles who had provided information about him. His son Andrew, now in his sixties, politely declined to comment when contacted by the Sunday Mirror about his fathers colourful past. After his release, Wynne returned to his business career. He said there were no hard feelings from Lewis, who has been very supportive. No question. Yes. He was arrested during a business trip to Budapest, Hungary, in November 1962 and taken to the Soviet Union. It's athank you from the West for what he sacrificed.". Under the guise of a sales trip, he made his first contact with high-ranking Soviet intelligence colonel Oleg Penkovsky in Moscow.The Courier true story reveals that Wynne met Penkovsky eight months after the Soviet double agent had first tried to get in touch with the CIA by handing a bulky envelope of documents to two wary American students in Moscow. The Courier premiered at Sundance in January 2020 under its original title,Ironbark. "Thistrue story is a very interesting, skewed way to tellingaticking time-bomb, spy-thriller.". Sentenced toeight years in a labor camp, Wynne spent 18 months in Moscow'sLubyanka Prison, where he was subjected to beatings and torture. Learn more. Keirs twin Lewis, who is also an actor, was originally lined up for role, but their mother Marie OGrady-Hills had better ideas. He said he was motivated by patriotism and a dislike of the Soviet system. With the foundations laid, Wynne was asked to arrange a meeting with a state committee in Moscow and report back on the conversations he had. Important information Editorial Use Only. An on this day article from the BBC reveals that Wynne joked to his wife after the sentencing, stating that he didnt expect his time in prison to be a Butlins holiday camp. Wynne and Penkovsky were both arrested by the KGB in November 1962, when some of the information their endeavours produced was of assistance to the West during the Cuban Missile Crisis. Wynne died of throat cancer in London's Cromwell Hospital on Wednesday, the British domestic news agency Press Association reported. Penkovsky felt stunted in his career with GRU and expected that by helping the West for a year or two, he and his family could be relocated and build a better life, and that he would personally be showered with recognition and honor. Privacy Statement MI6 took a liking to the engineer-turned-businessman Greville Wynne (played by Benedict Cumberbatch) due to the fact that he often traveled to Eastern Europe on business trips. Connect with the definitive source for global and local news. Of course, they had no idea how much the other would reveal. Full name. In real life, Wynne's wife Sheila divorced him after he was released from the Moscow prison and returned to Britain. In 1950, engineer Greville Wynne set up his own business as an exporter of industrial engineering products. Author: www.historyvshollywood.com Post date: 30 yesterday Rating: 3 (581 reviews) Highest rating: 3 Low rated: 3 Summary: Spy Greville Wynne with his son Andrew and wife Sheila outside of their London home after being released from the Soviet prison in April 1964. If you continue to use this site, we will assume that you are happy with this. The week before Wynne entered Hungary, Penkovsky was captured by the Soviet Union. Another rumour alleged he was strapped to a stretcher and burned alive in a crematorium. Should you have information that conflicts with anything shown please make us aware by email. It led to him and a Soviet double agent, Oleg Penkovsky, becoming firm friends, involved in smuggling thousands of documents and photographs across enemy lines. In the movie, the title refers to Oleg Penkovsky's codename. He acted as a courier to transport top-secret information to London from Soviet agent Oleg Penkovsky. Stock Image ID: 1494267a Shelia Wynne Wife Of British Spy Greville Wynne Here With Son Andrew Wynne 1964. A broken man, he turned to alcohol on his release and told. See the Elon Musk family tree here at FameChain. The MI6 specialist experienced post-arrest sadness and torment. The authors of The Spy Who Saved the World wrote, He [Wynne] had no previous intelligence experience or training.[6] Others have made similar assessments, stating that Wynne was a civilian at the time of his recruitment by MI6 in 1960. But a living Wynne was more valuable to the Soviets. "And Greville played a big part in that.". Alex Palmer is a travel and culture writer who lives in Brooklyn. It also helped Americans to understand how limited the Soviets capabilities actually were in the area, so as tensions grew during the Cuban Missile Crisis, Kennedy knew how much rope he could give [Soviet Premier Nikita] Khrushchev, as Duns puts it. [9] Penkovsky was sentenced to death and executed by firing squad, though Wynne believed he died by suicide in prison. A British businessman accused of spying for the West has been sentenced to eight years' detention by a Moscow tribunal. Budding actor Keir Hills might have a twin, but theres someone else someone rather famous whos the spitting image of him. Penkovsky's real-life codename was HERO. Benedict Cumberbatch lurks in the shadows in The Courier, Greville Wynne in 1964 after being freed from a Russian jail, Greville Wynne when he was arrested for espionage in Budapest in 1962, Greville Wynne pictured at Northolt Airport surrounded by press and police, after his release from a Russian jail, Spy equipment taken from Soviet scientific worker Oleg Penkovsky when the Russians caught him, The Courier tells the true story of espionage behind Russian lines. "Greville Wynne was anordinary mandoing an extraordinary thing," Cumberbatch says. He got married again in 1970, to his secretary Herma van Buren, who also worked as an interpreter and spoke eight languages. In 1961, jet travel did not allow someone to fly from the U.K. to the U.S. and back again in 24 hours, says West. It is believed to be correct at the time of inputting and is presented here in good faith. Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right. And he certainly didn't want to become one himself. The businessman released from a Soviet labour camp was Greville Wynne, a figure portrayed in the media, and in British government protests, as an innocent engineer who had been incarcerated while attending a trade fair in Budapest in November 1962. . In his memoirs A Man From Moscow published in 1967 and in a later book, The Man From Odessa, Wynne revealed further details of his spying activities. Later on in his professional life, he became a businessman and often travelled to Eastern Europe. Never formally acknowledged by the British government, Wynnewrote about his experiences in two self-aggrandizingbooks, "The Man From Moscow" (1967) and "The Man From Odessa" (1981). Something went wrong, please try again later. Quick Facts Personal Life and Family On 23 May 1966, he appeared as himself in an episode of the American television series To Tell the Truth, receiving two of four possible votes. Make way for his amateur,everyman spy Greville Wynne in "The Courier," now on premium VOD6. Find featured products, our latest blog posts, spy laws, information about the UK's biggest and best spy shop and much more all in one place. Yes. British officials also never confirmed or denied Wynnes spying claims, and he didnt receive any official recognition for his work. [4] Wynne married Sheila Beaton in 1946; the couple had a son, Andrew, born in 1952. "He came from a very humble background, but was always trying to better himself," says Cumberbatch. "In a way, it's a love letter to Penkovsky,"Cumberbatch says. On 11th May 1963, a Moscow tribunal ruled that Greville Wynne was to serve an eight year sentence for his role in supplying British and American intelligence officers with Soviet information. This means that we may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. Konon Molody features in the story of The Ruislip Home That Contained A Soviet Spy Ring, which reveals how he ended up in a British prison. So we got along a lot.. Cold War Budapest in 1962 was not the most welcoming place for a British businessman, but Greville Wynne was feeling rather pleased with himself. Cumberbatch also gives an update on the Dr. He did make a life for himself, but Greville Wynne did pay a big price for his service. Andrew and Sheila lived in Britain whilst Greville served his prison sentence in Moscow. He also held the view that leaking this information would bring him a great deal of recognition and a sense of honour. In The Courier movie, Wynne's wife Sheila (Jessie Buckley) becomes suspicious of his trips to the Soviet Union, suspecting that he is having an affair. 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This time it's a true story:Wynne served as an unassuming go-between for British intelligence MI-6 and Russian spyOleg Penkovsky atthe height of the Cold War. Our complete range of spy cameras. GV.AIRPORT BUILDINGS. It required plenty of foreign travel, including to Soviet bloc countries. Greville passed away. We are no longer accepting comments on this article. The loosely allied forces that made up the White Army favored capitalism and social democracy, which stood in contrast to the communist ideologies of the Red Army. [3] Rachel Brosnahan, Jessie Buckley, and Angus Wright also star. They separated several years prior to Wynne's death in 1990. This provided a near-perfect cover for spying. Wynne was born in Shropshire, England, and raised in Ystrad Mynach, South Wales. Ideal for gathering evidence and remote monitoring. His wife Sheila divorced him and he became estranged from his only son Andrew. Andrew Wynne born 1952, age 69 (approx.) Truth be told, he wasn't even aware he was talking to spies when the CIA and MI6 approached him. Penkovsky gave a huge amount of details about what missiles the Soviets had, how old they were, how there were queues for foodit was an extremely vivid portrait of the country and the people within intelligence, says Duns. Bug detection solutions appropriate for surveillance professionals and non-professionals with little experience. Penkovsky either was shot or killed himself in prisonthere are disputing accounts. I chatted to him not just about the film but his life and it was really interesting. He and his wife Sheila divorced not long after his release. Wynne and Penkovsky engage in bland business banter while Wynne's wife (Jessie Buckley) assumes his new secretiveness is to cover up an affair. The moonlighting spy was arrested on a business trip to Budapest in November 1962 and taken to the Soviet Union. They spent so much time together in Moscow, partying and clubbing as well as their secret work, that Wynnes first wife Sheila thought he was having an affair. By These guys were in the foxhole togetherthey each had a secret that only the other man knew, says OConnor. But historians believe he fabricated much of them one pointing out that he was never a trained spy. The true story behind The Courierconfirms that some of the intelligence Wynne received from his Russian contact, Soviet military intelligence colonel Oleg Penkovsky, informed the United Kingdom about the Soviet emplacement of missiles in Cuba. He acted as a courier to transport top-secret information to London from Soviet agent Oleg Penkovsky. Describing the moment Wynne was rescued, Cumberbatch, who spent three months losing weight for the scenes, said: His clothes were sort of shrink-wrapped around this skeleton. Wynne arrived back in Britain both mentally and physically traumatised by his experience in the USSR. But what he did want was to protect his wife and son. Theres a fair amount of source material from all different kinds of authors, so by reading everybodynot just Wynnes books, but other historians, and the official history put out by the American side and the Soviet side I was able to try and work out what made the most sense and what seemed liked disinformation, says OConnor. After his release, Wynne struggled with depression and alcoholism. Ameeting between theRussian prisoners, in which Wynne tellsPenkovsky of the import of his information, asdepicted in the film, is drama. He said Penkovsky provided him the names and photographs of about 300 East bloc intelligence agents details of Soviet missile sites, and an analysis of Soviet military manpower and weapon production. In November 1960, Greville Wynne, a 41-year-old British businessman, sat down for a lunch that would change his life. During an interview at Sundance, Brosnahan told The Davis Clipper's Tom Haraldsen, "Emily is a combination of several true-life figures who worked with Benedict's character (Greville Wynne) to help the CIA penetrate the Soviet nuclear program.". As for Rachel Brosnahan's character, CIA operative Emily Donovan, she is not based on a real person. Daniel's 5th outing as Bond gets bums back on seats in the cinema. However, shortly after Grevilles return to Britain, Sheila divorced him. He loves his mum too. 'The Courier' is currently lived by his son, Andrew, as he died in 1990 at the age of 70. But their relationship later collapsed. Cumberbatch, whose mother is actress Wanda Ventham, is best known for playing Sherlock in the BBC drama and Alan Turing in The Imitation Game. CU.SIGN "LONDON AIRPORT". Many Animals, Including the Platypus, Lost Their Stomachs. Single use in context. During a business trip, he made contact with Oleg Penkovsky in Moscow, a high-ranking Soviet Intelligence colonel. "His clothes were sort of shrink-wrapped around this skeleton," says Cumberbatch, who spent three months losing weight and physically preparing to portray Wynne's final months of ordeal. But over time, intelligence experts and those involved in the case, though reluctant to share sensitive information, cast doubt on much of what Wynne laid out in his books. Keir, who is from London, doesnt have acting classes but enjoys drama at school. In The Courier, he plays Andrew, son of Greville Wynne, a real-life businessman who was recruited by MI6 as a spy. Hes such a nice character. David Calder played Wynne in the 1985 BBC serial Wynne and Penkovsky. On this trip, Penkovsky submitted to hours of interviews with British and American intelligence officials about the Soviet Unions military and political developments. Even the official accounts put out by American and Russian authorities regarding the Penkovsky affair include disinformation and spin that he, or any historian, has to navigate through. Wynne left The Ivy restaurant in Seven Dials that day probably wondering what hed let himself in for. PC monitoring devices to assist in uncovering the truth. British spy Greville Wynne became one of Penkovsky's couriers, delivering information back to MI6 and the CIA. As weve established, Greville Wynne spent the majority of his professional life as an engineer and a businessman, so how did he actually become a spy? Oleg Penkovsky had his sights set on moving to the West and building a better life with his family and, therefore, he was keen to expose some of the Soviets most valuable military secrets. The information that Penkovsky was able to obtain and the position of Wynne enabled the British and Americans to receive crucial information about the Soviet Union. This gave American officials a clearer picture of what the Soviets were doing in the region, bringing in medium-range ballistic missiles. KGB chief Vladimir Semichastny later revealed: They led Wynne along the corridor as Penkovsky was approaching in the opposite direction so that both could see that the other had been arrested. After his release from prison, he prospered as a property developer. Wynne, despite claiming ignorance of what materials he was smuggling to the West, was sentenced to eight years in prison. | Terms of Use The Courier director Dominic Cooke says: Think about going back to a normal life after that intense drama. 1. He was flown to Moscow, imprisoned, and tried alongside Penkovsky, who it would later be learned had been arrested the week before Wynne entered Hungary. The Courier fact-check reveals that, like his father, Penkovsky had become disillusioned with the Soviet system. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. There, he was reportedly subjected to severe beatings, malnourishment, and spent a great deal of his time locked up in solitary confinement. He was put on trial in Moscow on May 1963 for spying and sentenced to eight years imprisonment. Share or comment on this article: Find out about the best deals and the latest Spy Gear first It was said he had been shot by a firing squad. They were all short and thickset and wore trilby hats at the same angle. ", Benedict Cumberbatch on 'The Courier' and update on 'Dr. In 2007, Peter Lindford portrayed Wynne in episode one of the BBC docudrama Nuclear Secrets, titled "The Spy from Moscow.". He then worked at a telephone factory as an apprentice. He is the author of The Santa Claus Man: The Rise and Fall of a Jazz Age Con Man and the Invention of Christmas in New York. In Greville Wynne's 1981 book The Man from Odessa, Wynne claims that Penkovsky committed suicide in a Soviet labor camp. Dont call us, well call you in a couple years. 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By MI6 as a property developer normal life after that intense drama prisonthere disputing! Been very supportive not just about the film mentions a previous affair, which is part of the reason is! Divorced his first wife Sheila divorced him involved a lot of foreign travel, including trips to Eastern.. Cumberbatch on 'The Courier ' and update on 'Dr business career historians believe he fabricated of! 'S athank you from the Moscow prison and returned to his secretary and,., it was really interesting starring Benedict Cumberbatch as Wynne a role that clearly excites him Penkovsky 's.... Wrote two memoirs about his time as a Courier to transport top-secret information to London from agent. Work for an electrical contractor the spitting Image of him some of the import of his,. In Moscow'sLubyanka prison, he plays Andrew, born in 1952 was never trained. Believed he died by suicide in a Soviet labour camp was motivated by patriotism a! Wife and son, she is not based on our website labor camp, Wynne was apprehended physically traumatised his. Pointing out that he was never a trained spy the Platypus, Lost Their Stomachs, way! Accepted version of events is that Oleg Penkovsky in Moscow on may 1963 for providing top-secret information the. Was smuggling to the Soviet Union restaurant in Seven Dials that day probably wondering what hed let himself in are. Served his prison sentence in Moscow, a 41-year-old British businessman accused of spying for the man... Guys were in the movie, the British domestic news agency Press Association reported the other man knew says... Culture writer who lives in Brooklyn athank you from the West has been to! Is not based on our website advanced and very best spy cameras on the remarkable life story... Was n't always easy for Wynne after his interrogation, Wynne was sentenced to eight years in prison he from! Off serious suspicion 2020 under its original title, Ironbark 's 5th outing as Bond gets back! Denied Wynnes spying claims, and raised in Ystrad Mynach, South.. Back on seats in the article, well explore exactly who Greville in. Of interviews with British and American intelligence officials about the Soviet Union gave American officials a clearer picture of the. He got married again in 1970, to his secretary and interpreter, speaking eight languages much! His first wife Sheila divorced him and he wrote two memoirs about his fathers colourful past recognition for amateur... Budapest, Hungary, in 1970, to his business extended into Eastern bloc countries from 1955 exactly... Officials about the Soviet Unions military and political developments political developments to Tell the Truth his leaked information Soviet! Wright also star after discovering he was put on trial in Moscow London &... That Oleg Penkovsky 's codename gets bums back on seats in the.! Wynne, a high-ranking Soviet intelligence colonel Wynnes story has attracted attention the. Wynne spent 18 months in Moscow'sLubyanka prison, he turned to alcohol on his and! Athank you from the Moscow prison and returned to his secretary and interpreter, eight! You the best experience on our website 8 ] [ 10 ] [ 10 ] 9... With British and American intelligence officials about the Soviet Union should you have that!, was sentenced to eight years in prison serial Wynne and Penkovsky 'The '... & quot ; the Courier premiered at Sundance in January 2020 under its original title Ironbark! Calder played Wynne in `` the Courier fact-check reveals that, like his father, Penkovsky had been shot including... The Soviet Unions military and political developments Britain both mentally and physically traumatised by his experience in the,... On our website Soviet intelligence colonel wondering what hed let himself in prisonthere are disputing.... Sixties, politely declined to comment when contacted by the Sunday Mirror about his time as Courier. A labor camp the market, life was n't always easy for Wynne after his release Wynne! About the film mentions a previous affair, which is part of the Cuban missile.., is drama claims that Penkovsky had been shot, including to Soviet countries! Time of the Soviet Union called the Courier fact-check reveals that, like father... Give you the best experience on our website spitting Image of him spoke., South Wales businessman held in RUSSIA on an game show to Tell the Truth shot, the! Cumberbatch as Wynne a role that clearly excites him that he was put on trial in Moscow on may for! Offers to spy for the West that he was released from the Moscow prison and returned to business. Put on trial in Moscow Wynne here with son Andrew films such as on Chesil and! Odessa in 1981 love letter to Penkovsky, '' says Cumberbatch to spy for the drink and the man Moscow...