Great Spy Stories

Watch Great Spy Stories

  • 2001
  • 1 Season

Great Spy Stories is a gripping and informative documentary series from HISTORY Vault that delves deep into the world of espionage. The show is a collection of historical tales of bravery, subterfuge, and trickery, which reveals some of the most beautiful moments in the history of spying.

The world of spies is one that has been heavily shrouded in secrecy, and Great Spy Stories lifts the veil on some of the most thrilling, high-stakes operations ever undertaken by intelligence agencies. From the American Revolutionary War to the Cold War and beyond, Great Spy Stories spans centuries of covert operations, deciphering codes, and revealing some of the most iconic spy gadgets ever used by secret agents.

The series seamlessly combines historical footage, reenactments, and interviews with experts and historians to tell captivating and engaging stories of the world of espionage. Each episode of Great Spy Stories is dedicated to a particular spy, agency or operation.

One of the most fascinating stories presented in the series is that of the infamous Cambridge Five, a group of British spies who worked for the Soviet Union during the height of the Cold War. The show explores how the Cambridge Five, educated at the prestigious Cambridge University, became double agents who passed information to Moscow. The show also investigates how they remained undetected for so long and the extent of the damage caused by their activities.

Another episode tells the story of Virginia Hall, an American spy who worked as an undercover operative during World War II. Virginia was instrumental in sabotaging Nazi operations in France and was known for her ability to disguise herself in plain sight, often posing as a peasant woman. Despite being pursued relentlessly by the Gestapo, Virginia was rewarded with the Distinguished Service Cross for her bravery.

Great Spy Stories also uncovers the fascinating story of Gareth Williams, a British Intelligence Officer who was found dead inside a locked bag in his London flat in 2010. The circumstances surrounding his death are shrouded in mystery and espionage experts explore the many theories surrounding what might have happened to Williams.

Throughout the series, viewers are treated to an inside look at some of the most intricate spy gadgets ever devised. From tiny cameras and microphone bugs to invisible ink and miniature explosives, the show reveals the lengths to which intelligence agencies will go to gain valuable information.

Despite being about espionage, the series is not a glorification of spying, but rather an investigation into the human cost of such operations. The show explores the moral dilemmas faced by agents who must balance their loyalty to their country with the use of deceitful means to gain secrets.

Overall, Great Spy Stories is an enthralling and informative documentary series that sheds light on the shadowy world of spies and spying. The show offers a fascinating glimpse into some of the most daring, dangerous and consequential spy operations of all time while revealing the human cost of these often controversial activities. Definitely a must-watch for all espionage enthusiasts!

In conclusion, Great Spy Stories is a must-watch for anyone interested in the fascinating world of espionage. The show offers a thorough exploration of some of the most daring and impactful spy operations in history while also examining the moral and human implications of such activities. Grab some popcorn and get ready for an exciting ride through the dark and complex world of spying!

Great Spy Stories is a series that ran for 1 seasons (7 episodes) between January 11, 2001 and on HISTORY Vault

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Seasons
Gru
26. Gru
February 3, 2005
The Glavnoe Razvedyvatelnoe Upravlenie served as the Soviet Union's chief military intelligence group, producing a network of spies that operated worldwide and still employs 100,000.
The Code Breakers
24. The Code Breakers
June 7, 2004
From the Zimmerman Telegram in 1917 through to recent breaking of Russian codes, many battles were won or lost because one side could read its opponent's intercepted messages.
Early Russian Intelligence
21. Early Russian Intelligence
July 5, 2001
Lenin's feared secret police, the Russian Bolshevik Cheka knew no bounds and was run by the dreaded Feliks Dzershinsky, who founded the Gulag Archipelago.
Mi-5
19. Mi-5
April 19, 2001
Britain's counter-espionage service proved highly effective during both World Wars but later faced criticism for failing to expose the Cambridge spies.
French Intelligence
17. French Intelligence
April 5, 2001
The French had a sophisticated intelligence network, which was active during WWI, confronted the Bolsheviks during the inter-war years, and has continued from World War II to today.
Great Spies Of The 20th Century
16. Great Spies Of The 20th Century
December 25, 2000
Mata Hari, Sidney Reilly, Lawrence of Arabia, Cicero, Lonsdale, the Lucy Spy Ring.
Japanese Intelligence
15. Japanese Intelligence
January 11, 2001
Examine the story of Japans' elaborate espionage network, including the build-up to Pearl Harbor and beyond.
Description
Where to Watch Great Spy Stories
Great Spy Stories is available for streaming on the HISTORY Vault website, both individual episodes and full seasons. You can also watch Great Spy Stories on demand at Amazon Prime.
  • Premiere Date
    January 11, 2001