Watch The Impossible Spy

The Impossible Spy is a thrilling espionage drama based on true events that happened during the Cold War. The movie follows the story of Eli Cohen (portrayed by John Shea), an Israeli intelligence agent who infiltrated the Syrian government in the early 1960s. Eli was born in Egypt and moved to Israel in his youth, where he was recruited by Mossad, the Israeli intelligence agency.

The movie starts with Eli's recruitment by Mossad, where he undergoes rigorous training to become a spy. His mission is to embed himself in the Syrian government and to gather intelligence about their military activities and plans against Israel. Eli's training includes learning Arabic and adopting a new identity, that of a wealthy businessman from Argentina.

Once his training is complete, Eli travels to Argentina, where he establishes his new identity, Kamel Amin Thaabet. After successfully creating a convincing backstory, Eli moves to Syria, where he begins to rise through the ranks of the government. Eli, using his charm and intelligence, gets close to high-ranking Syrian officials and military personnel. He even becomes a close confidant of the Syrian Defense Minister, General Amin al-Hafiz (Eli Wallach), and his aide Abed Hamoud (Sasson Gabay).

During his time in Syria, Eli manages to gather crucial intelligence about the Syrian military's activities and plans against Israel. He also provides critical information to the Israeli government about Syria's relationships with other Arab countries, which helps Israel in its own foreign policy endeavors.

Despite Eli's success, his life is in constant danger, and he must constantly be on guard against being caught by the Syrian secret police. Eli faces several close calls, including one where he is nearly caught while transmitting information to Israel via radio. He also faces personal struggles, including being separated from his family, who believes that he is in South America.

As the tension between Syria and Israel escalates, the risks that Eli faces increase. In the end, Eli's luck runs out, and he is discovered by the Syrian authorities. He is subjected to torture and eventually executed, but not before providing vital information that benefits Israeli intelligence for years to come.

The movie is a thrilling portrayal of the life of a spy and the risks that they face. John Shea delivers a fantastic performance as Eli Cohen, depicting him as a charming and intelligent individual who becomes consumed by his mission. Eli Wallach also gives an excellent performance as General al-Hafiz, a figure in Syrian government who is both impressed by and suspicious of Eli. Sasson Gabay, too, offers a standout performance as Abed Hamoud, who develops a close friendship with Eli.

The film is well-directed, with excellent cinematography that captures the essence of the Middle East in the early 1960s. The soundtrack, composed by Sharon Farber, also adds to the tension and drama of the story.

In conclusion, The Impossible Spy is an excellent portrayal of one of the most successful Israeli spies in history. The movie has all the elements of a great espionage drama: a well-crafted plot, great performances, and lots of suspense. The film provides an intriguing look into the world of espionage and the risks that spies undergo to protect their country's interests.

The Impossible Spy is a 1987 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 36 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.5.