Author Ben Macintyre explores the truth behind one of the most famous double agents in modern history - Harold Kim Philby. He argues that Philby has become a caricature of the gentleman spy, obscuring the fact that Philby was a ruthless killer, who betrayed everyone around him. The key to Philby's success and his survival, Macintyre explains, lay in his friendship with a man that history has largely forgotten - Nicholas Elliott. Elliott was Philby's colleague in MI6 who befriended him, defended him, and unwittingly supplied him with secrets until he discovered the truth. This is the remarkable tale of two friends and two spies, each working on opposite sides in the Cold War.

David Oakes

Kim Philby

William Beck

Nicholas Elliot

Ben Macintyre

Himself

• Francis WhatelyProducer · Director
• Ben MacintyreWriter

Release date

April 2, 2014

Status

Released

Original language

English

Runtime

2h

Genres

Documentary