Few real-life topics have been as thoroughly explored in cinema as World War II. This is only natural, as the sheer magnitude of this event in world history is quite unlike any other. Throughout the six years that this conflict plagued humanity, millions of people had experiences that are worth exploring on a deeper level. Just when you might think you have seen nearly every variation of such stories from this period of time over the last 75 years, a movie will come along that makes you appreciate that we have this medium to immortalize these experiences. The new film A Call To Spy from producer-turned-director Lydia Dean Pilcher is just such a film. Some people would have you believe that World War II was fought solely by young, squared-jaw white men, but to think that is a discredit to the countless brave women and people of color who sacrificed their lives to combat evil. Sarah Megan Thomas, who seems heroic in her own right as the lead actor/writer/producer of the film, knew there was a story worth telling about the incredible women who were invaluable to the war effort. Not only did she craft a story that is respectful of this overlooked history, but also stands as a wonderfully entertaining effort.
With the encroaching nazi forces bearing down on England in the summer of 1941, Winston Churchill established an agency that does not feel altogether too wild, but was in reality quite the revelation at the time. The Special Operations Executive was established with the sole purpose of pumping in a considerable amount of new spies into France to gather intel and sabotage the efforts of the German forces. The fact that over three dozen of these new spies were to be women is the type of history that does not get shared enough. A Call To Spy intertwines the narrative of three of these women involved in these war efforts, all with their own baggage holding them back from their full potential – even outside of the basic fact that they are women living in a man’s world. The lady in power at the SOE is Vera Atkins (Stana Katic, Castle), the person spearheading the recruitment of these women while contending with own prejudices from her Jewish-Romanian heritage. Thomas plays Virginia Hall, an American with hopes to become a diplomat, which will never happen due to a wooden leg. Noor Inayat Khan (Radhika Apte) is a mixed-race Indian Muslim pacifist who is a wizard with wireless radio transmissions. These women would never be mistaken for spies, which is exactly the point of the agency.
The film delivers all of the typical espionage tropes that you would want from a WWII drama in a way that feels fresh and energetic. These women are underestimated at every turn during their training period, but they establish themselves as more than capable quite quickly. Of the three women, Hall is given the most to do as Virginia. She portrays the steadfast American with an honest determination to prove herself while remaining vulnerable to the conflict she has within and the effect that the war has on her psychologically. Virginia is shown to carry out missions that put her in harm’s way, but she is never portrayed as invincible or flawless in her execution. She is perfectly human. The same can be said for the gentle-yet-fierce Noor, who is imbued with so much warmth by Apte that you sometimes lose sight of the danger she is stepping into – nothing bad could happen to such a good person, right? Stana Katic has always been a solid performer in her various television shows, but it was amazing seeing her show off some impressive chops as this nuanced woman keeping this project together.
While the film may have the production value of a glossy Hollywood picture, there is an independent sensibility to the story that comes through in its lack of huge set pieces. To be fair, there are moments of tension here that are nothing to sneeze at, but the script prefers to take a steady, workmanlike approach to the characters. These women are shown to be carrying out their mission to the best of their abilities without the need for exaggerated drama. This should be compelling enough for most people, but less patient audiences may be praying for more close calls. That is not to say the film does not capably establish stakes; A Call To Spy makes the point in an end-credit infographic that a third of the female spies sent into occupied areas did not return. The movie is a crowd pleaser, but it does not betray realism to make it so. Even at a touch over two hours long, the film moves along at a crackling pace that will keep you glued to the actions of these amazing women. The efforts that women and people of color contributed to the war effort should never be forgotten, and this film is the perfect way to educate people while entertaining them immensely.
Video Quality
A Call To Spy comes to Blu-Ray with a gorgeous AVC encoded 1080p transfer. This film has some nice pops of color with the greens of the foliage, but the production design is otherwise pretty subdued. The color palette mostly remains natural with a slightly cooler push when showcasing the locale of the German-occupied areas. Where the transfer really shines is the impressive level of detail in even the subtlest aspects. Everything from the smallest facial details to the texture of the interiors of the training facility and safe houses is quite impressive. The picture is mostly clear with only brief instances of murkiness during a few darker scenes. Black levels are admirable but could stand to be a bit deeper. Skin tones are natural throughout with some impeccable details present in certain shots. The film sports some luscious cinematography, and that is showcased pretty well here. Overall, this is quite a powerful transfer.
Audio Quality
The film comes with a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track that is quite powerful and well balanced. Environmental effects play a substantial role in the film, and this track brings these elements to life quite capably. The use of the rear channels to create a fully enveloping world works quite well. The directionality is quite precise so sounds always present as natural when coming from their respective points. Dialogue comes through crisp and clear without being overwhelmed by any of the other sounds. This movie is not an action powerhouse, but activity in the low end delivers a bit of a jolt during multiple points of the presentation. Shout! Factory has delivered a fierce track for a film that capably brings Europe to life.
Special Features
- Behind-The-Scenes Featurette: A brief three-and-a-half minute featurette in which the cast and crew discuss the importance of the story, the shooting locations, the individual characters, the behind-the-scenes talent and more.
- Trailer: A two-minute trailer that capably sets up this incredible story.
Final Thoughts
A Call To Spy is an utterly engrossing narrative that tells a story that is of the utmost importance. The trio of main performers put in some pretty fantastic performances that are deserving of some immense critical adoration. Shout! Factory has delivered a Blu-Ray with a stellar A/V presentation and a couple of interesting special features. If you are looking for a World War II story that has not been depicted on screen to death, this one is well worth your time. Highly Recommended
A Call to Spy is currently available to purchase on Blu-Ray and DVD.
Note: Images presented in this review are not reflective of the image quality of the Blu-Ray.
Disclaimer: Shout! Factory has supplied a copy of this disc free of charge for review purposes. All opinions in this review are the honest reactions of the author.
Dillon is most comfortable sitting around in a theatre all day watching both big budget and independent movies.
