Businessman Greville Wynne is asked by a Russian source to try to help put an end to the Cuban Missile Crisis.
In the shadow of the Cold War a letter from Oleg Penkovsky (Merab Ninidze), an agent of the Soviet Union, is received by MI6 stating the concern of Penkovsky about world safety and his anxiety about a nuclear war. So Emily Donovan (Rachel Brosnahan), a CIA agent, reached out to MI6 agent Dickie Franks (Angus Wright), who recruited British salesman Greville Wynne (Benedict Cumberbatch) to be their spy.—Saif Alaa
The true story of a British businessman unwittingly recruited into one of the greatest international conflicts in history. Forming an unlikely partnership with a Soviet officer hoping to prevent a nuclear confrontation, the two men work together to provide the crucial intelligence used to defuse the Cuban Missile Crisis.—krmanirethnam
With the nuclear arsenal of the Soviet Union growing stronger by the day, and Soviet First Secretary Nikita Khrushchev and the United States President John F. Kennedy locking horns against the backdrop of the Cold War and the reckless nuclear arms race, highly decorated Colonel Oleg Penkovsky reaches out to MI6 and the CIA. Under those grave circumstances, MI6 agent, Dickie Franks, and CIA official, Emily Donovan, approach a civilian, the unsuspecting, globe-trotting British businessman, Greville Wynne, to act as a liaison between the parties, and courier Penkovsky's leaks: vital information necessary to avert nuclear Armageddon. In exchange, the United States government would help him and his family defect. However, does Wynne know what he's let himself in for? Above all, can the two men put a halt to the imminent Cuban Missile Crisis?—Nick Riganas
1960's, cold war is on and both US and Soviets have nuclear weapons. Nikita Khrushchev (Vladimir Chuprikov), First Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union traded threats with his US counterparts and the world was close to the brink of destruction.The Courier tells the "true story of the British businessman Greville Wynne (Benedict Cumberbatch) who helped MI6 penetrate the Soviet nuclear program during the Cold War. Wynne and his Soviet source, Oleg Penkovsky (Merab Ninidze) (codenamed Ironbark), provided crucial intelligence that ended the Cuban Missile Crisis."
Oleg Penkovsky had first sent vital intelligence via some random American tourists and asked them to deliver it to the US embassy in Moscow. Emily Donovan (Rachel Brosnahan), CIA officer meets her counterparts in MI6 Dickie Franks (Angus Wright), MI6 officer. She says that Oleg has made the initial contact with an offer to share intelligence to help avoid mutual destruction.CIA is weak in Moscow and hence they want the Brits to help. Emily suggests using some businessman who usually travels to that part of the world. Enter Greville who provides manufacturing equipment like lathes from Eastern Europe to his clients in UK.
Greville lives with Sheila Wynne (Jessie Buckley), Greville's wife, and Andrew Wynne (Keir Hills), Greville's son.Oleg lives with Vera (Maria Mironova), Penkovsky's wife and Nina (Emma Penzina), Penkovsky's daughter.
Wynne is approached by a spy from MI6 and a spy from the CIA (Emily) and asked to pose as a business partner of Oleg Penkovsky in order to gain intelligence relating to Soviet missiles being transported to Cuba. Greville is told anything about his mission. He is just asked to visit Moscow and establish his supply chains there. He is asked to meet the Soviet Committee for Trade, where Oleg recognizes Greville from the pin he is wearing on his tie (given by Emily).
Oleg sizes up Greville (by having drinks with him and taking him to the Bolshoi theatre) and decides that he likes him. Oleg asks Greville to invite the Soviet trade delegation to London. Since Oleg's job is to steal western tech, his Govt is only too happy to oblige.On this trip, Oleg meets Emily face to face. Oleg tells her that Khrushchev is impulsive and dangerous and should not have nuclear command. He says Khrushchev is looking for a confrontation with America. Oleg wants guarantee of defection (with family) in exchange for information. Oleg reveals that despite the hyperbole from Moscow, Soviets do not have first strike capabilities.
To continue getting the documents, Emily convinces Greville (By telling him about the fallout of nuclear war between Soviets and the West) to be the courier between CIA/MI6 and Oleg. Greville is very skeptical, but Oleg convinces him. Oleg advises Greville to treat everyone in Russia as a KGB agent and to follow his trade-craft at all times. Assume all rooms are bugged. Rush to the US embassy, in case of a complication.They made it look like Greville was supplying info to the Russians via Oleg. The system works, but slowly the KGB starts getting suspicious of Greville and suddenly he can see spies everywhere. A Soviet spy in the CIA reports back to the KGB that there is a lot of new intel on the Soviets and perhaps the CIA has a source.
Meanwhile Khrushchev decides to put nuclear missiles in Cuba. KGB contacts Oleg about Greville and Greville finds that his room has been searched. Emily still presses Greville to keep going back to Moscow, as she thinks it was a routine inspection, which he passed. Meanwhile the MI6 wanted to pull Greville out. Emily was under pressure as Greville was the only way to get info out till a few months. After that Cuba would have less cloud cover and U2 planes could take clear photos to show whether Cubans are preparing for nuclear missiles or not. MI6 prevails as Greville is British.
Oleg has a heart attack. U2 planes eventually find evidence of nuclear missile bases in Cuba and Kennedy calls on Khrushchev not to arm these bases. Oleg is barred by Soviet trade ministry from travelling to a trade show in London. Oleg telegrams Greville. Greville wants CIA and MI6 to help Oleg defect, as promised. But both agencies back down as there is no way to coordinate with Oleg. Greville offers to go back to Moscow as he wants to help Oleg. Emily agrees to go with Greville, but MI6 knows she has diplomatic immunity and advises Greville not to go.
Greville decides to go with Emily. Greville meets Oleg and shares the escape plans as laid out by Emily. But at the very last minute, both Wynne and Penkovsky are caught. Oleg admits betraying his country while insisting Wynne as a courier knows nothing of the intelligence passed on, which supports Wynne's claim of no wrongdoings.
Greville is imprisoned and questioned daily. Emily has immunity and is ordered to leave the country in 24 hrs. The Soviets try to starve Greville to get him to sign a confession, but he refuses. They retaliate by taking away his bedding and blanket and removing the piss & shit bucket cover. Sheila visits Greville in prison and informs him that Soviets withdrew the missiles from Cuba. It's a good sign that she was allowed to meet him, and he might soon be released.
Wynne makes sure Penkovsky knows his sacrifice is worth it (and the Cuban missile crisis was averted due to the intel provided by Oleg). Penkovsky is executed and buried in an unmarked grave. Wynne is eventually released in a prisoner exchange for a Russian spy Konon Molody.Oleg smuggled more than 5000 documents to the West and was considered the most valuable source ever.
