Dan and Tom are joined by Dr. Wesley Britton to decode the 1987 movie THE IMPOSSIBLE SPY. This movie tells the story of a real Israeli spy, Elie Cohen. Without a doubt, he was one of the most successful spies in history.  Is this movie worth a watch? 

This episode has two sections.  First, we discuss with Dr. Wesley Britton some of the information about Elie’s story and the making of the movie.  Then, we decode the movie in depth.

Dr. Britton is the host of the online radio show and Podcast, “Flashback with Wes Britton” He has also written multiple books about spies in television, the movies, and real-life including Beyond Bond: Spies in Fiction and Film and Onscreen and Undercover: The Ultimate Book of Movie Espionage.  We have used both of these books in developing our podcasts. And, his website SpywiseSecretDossier.com is a treasure trove of information on spies.

Elie Cohen’s story is a compelling look at real-world spycraft and dealing with spying while at the same time having a wife and children.

What we will decode in this episode

These are the things we decode in our look at THE IMPOSSIBLE SPY:

·         Details on this great cast.

·         Some of the challenges executive producer Harvey Chertok and Director Jim Goddard encountered in getting this movie made

·         How Elie Cohen helped the Israelis with his spying

·         Some discrepancies between the movie and real life.

·         Some of the differences between this movie and the streaming series “The Spy” which also tells Elie’s story

·         What is it like to be the wife of a spy?

·         And more!

Tell us what you think about our decoding of THE IMPOSSIBLE SPY

So, take a listen and let us know what you think. Have you heard of THE IMPOSSIBLE SPY before this episode? How about Elie Cohen? As a result of listening to this episode, did you watch it?

To sum up, if you have seen this movie, what do you think?  Were we on point with our thoughts?  What did you like and what would you have changed about the movie?

Let us know your thoughts, ideas for future episodes, and what you think of this episode. Just drop us a note at [email protected].  The more we hear from you, the better the show will surely be!  We’ll give you a shout-out in a future episode!  

You can check out all of our CRACKING THE CODE OF SPY MOVIES podcast episodes on your favorite podcast app or our website. In addition, you can check out our YouTube channel as well.  

Episode Webpage: https://bit.ly/3TfU6f7

Join Dan and Tom as they decode the 1943 movie, FIVE GRAVES TO CAIRO. Is this World War II movie a spy movie? Listen as Dan tries to convince Tom it is, despite Tom's uncertainty.

The story with this menacing title follows the exploits of Cpl. John Bramble in June 1942 after he fell out of his tank in the North African desert.  Later on, he ends up meeting Rommel, The Desert Fox, himself.  Most of the movie takes place inside the hotel “Empress of Britain”. It is a great setting. Also, something is interesting there underneath the first floor.

The people behind this movie are top-notch.  Billy Wilder directed and co-wrote it with Charles Brackett, adopting Lajos Biró’s play “Hotel Imperial”. It garnered three Academy Award nominations and has an excellent cast. Specifically, Anne Baxter, Franchot Tone, Akim Tamiroff, and Erich von Stroheim play the leads.

This is a movie where you don’t want to be scanning your phone at the same time as you watch it.  You need to pay close attention. However, by listening to this episode, you will enhance your viewing experience.  We give you some things to look out for.

What we will decode in this episode

While we don’t give away the key answers for this movie, these are the things we decode in our look at FIVE GRAVES TO CAIRO:

·         Details on this great cast.

·         How it had a real-world impact on the war.

·         The humor in this serious movie. For example, we include a clip from the movie about bedbugs.

·         Without a doubt, there is a tie-in to Boris Karloff. What is it?

·         The production, cinematography, costuming, and the score.

·         What Tom thought Bramble needed to have with him on the tank.

·         The use of the German language.  Authentic?

·         Opera in a World War II movie?

·         The dialogue - good, or bad?

·         Certainly, Rommel would not have said what he said at that lunch. Would he?

·         Answering Tom’s question of if this is a spy movie

·         And more!

What we don't answer is what the “five graves to Cairo” are. You need to watch the movie for that.

Where to download the movie

As of the time of the release of this episode (June 2025), you can stream this movie for free at: https://archive.org/details/five-graves-to-cairo-1943-billy-wilder.

Tell us what you think about our no-spoiler review of FIVE GRAVES TO CAIRO.

So, take a listen and let us know what you think. Have you heard of FIVE GRAVES TO CAIRO before this episode?  As a result of listening to this episode, did you watch it?

To sum up, if you have seen this movie, what do you think?  Were we on point with our review?  What did you like and what would you have changed about the movie?

Let us know your thoughts, ideas for future episodes, and what you think of this episode. Just drop us a note at [email protected].  The more we hear from you, the better the show will surely be!  We’ll give you a shout-out in a future episode!  

You can check out all of our CRACKING THE CODE OF SPY MOVIES podcast episodes on your favorite podcast app or our website. In addition, you can check out our YouTube channel as well.  

Episode Webpage: https://bit.ly/3FtdIJD

Join Dan and Tom as they decode the movie CRACKERJACK 3, from 2000. Is this third movie in the series worth a watch? Listen to find out what we think!  This is a “No holds barred” episode!

 The first two CRACKERJACK movies were not spy movies.  They were closer to DIE HARD than a spy movie.   CRACKERJACK 3, however, is a spy movie, even though there is no train sequence! This one stars Leo Rossi, Amy Weber, Oliver Gruner, and Bo Svenson.

 This one has an explosive device, a state-of-the-art cell phone, and a group of old retired spies.

These are the things we decode in our look at CRACKERJACK 3:

·         Bo Svenson and the rest of the cast

·         The Pre-Title Sequence

·         The cinematography

·         Special effects?

·         Where’s the action?

·         What are the positives?

·         How having children in a movie can be creepy

·         What are the negatives?

·         Garden Gnomes can be helpful!

·         Is this movie worth your time?

·         And more!

Tell us what you think about our no-spoiler review of CRACKERJACK 3

So, take a listen and let us know what you think. Have you heard of CRACKERJACK 3 before this episode?  Did listening to this episode make you want to watch it?

If you have seen this movie, what do you think?  Were we on point with our review?  What did you like and what would you have changed about the movie? Let us know your thoughts, ideas for future episodes, and what you think of this episode. Just drop us a note at [email protected].  The more we hear from you, the better the show will surely be!  We’ll give you a shout-out in a future episode!  

You can check out all of our CRACKING THE CODE OF SPY MOVIES podcast episodes on your favorite podcast app or our website. In addition, you can check out our YouTube channel as well.  

Episode Webpage: https://bit.ly/4mxRW7Z

Join Dan, Tom, and Mike Reyes as they review (No Spoilers! ) MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – THE FINAL RECKONING – This movie stars Tom Cruise, Simon Pegg, and Ving Rhames.  Listen to find out what we think!

We’ve seen MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – THE FINAL RECKONING, and the most recent before this one, MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE DEAD RECKONING.   Now we see if they all tie together.

In our no-spoiler review,  we dive into the following about MISSION IMPOSSIBLE – THE FINAL RECKONING:

·         The Pre-Title Sequence

·         Callbacks and flashbacks to previous MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE movies, and others

·         The music

·         The cinematography

·         What movies may have influenced this one

·         The sound effects

·         The casting - Do characters from the past show up here?

·         What are the positives

·         What are the negatives

·         Is there more they could have done?

·         What scenes impressed us

·         Deal or No Deal?!

·         Could they have done some things a little differently?

·         And more!

Tell us what you think about our no-spoiler review of MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE THE FINAL RECKONING. 

So, take a listen and let us know what you think. What do you think of the MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE series?   Will you see MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE - THE FINAL RECKONING?

If you have seen this movie, what do you think?  Were we on point with our review?  What did you like and what would you have changed? Let us know your thoughts, ideas for future episodes, and what you thought of this episode. Just drop us a note at [email protected].  The more we hear from you, the better the show will surely be!  We’ll give you a shout-out in a future episode!  

You can check out all of our CRACKING THE CODE OF SPY MOVIES podcast episodes on your favorite podcast app or our website. In addition, you can check out our YouTube channel as well.  

Episode Webpage: https://bit.ly/45qE7SP

Join Dan and Tom as they decode the 1974 spy movie THE TAMARIND SEED. This movie stars Julie Andrews and Omar Sharif.    Listen to find out all the good and perhaps the bad!

We’ve seen Julie Andrews in Torn Curtain with Paul Newman.  Now she is in a romantic spy movie with Omar Sharif.  Does the match work?

In this decoding episode we dive into the following about THE TAMARIND SEED:

• This is a romance/spy movie.  Does that work?
• What we think of the pace of the movie
• Who was the director and what was his connection with Julie Andrews?
• Who did the titles?
• The cinematography
• What movies may have influenced this one
• The amazing cast
• What are the positives
• What are the negatives
• Where realism was used
• What scenes impressed us
• In what more modern spy movie have we heard of a Russian named Golitzyn?
• What James Bond stunt/henchmen appear in this one?
• Award nominations
• Some of the great lines
• An odd Merv Griffin tie-in
• And More …

Tell us what you think about our decoding of THE TAMARIND SEED

So, take a listen and let us know what you think. What do you think of this romance-based spy movie?  Does the romance work for you?  Are you in agreement with Dan and Tom about Julie Andrews’ performance? Was the pacing right for you?  And of course, is Tom’s Merv Griffin tie-in crazy or does it make sense?

Let us know your thoughts, ideas for future episodes, and what you thought of this episode. Just drop us a note at [email protected].  The more we hear from you, the better the show will surely be!  We’ll give you a shout-out in a future episode!  

You can check out all of our CRACKING THE CODE OF SPY MOVIES podcast episodes on your favorite podcast app or our website. In addition, you can check out our YouTube channel as well.  

Episode Webpage: https://bit.ly/4kqlK4z

Join Dan and Tom for their Character Spotlight on Fiona Volpe, played by Luciana Paluzzi in THUNDERBALL. Can she handle the harsh spotlight?  

We know that Fiona Volpe was a tough, determined, and beautiful villain. She’s willing to do whatever it takes to get her job done.  And she wanted to take James Bond out.   

In this Character Spotlight we look at the following about this wonderful character: 

• How was Luciana Paluzzi’s performance? 

• What traits does Fiona Volpe portray in her villainess role? 

• How important control is for Fiona 

• What was her relationship like with Largo? 

• Which is our favorite scene? 

• What part of this movie made Luciana Paluzzi’s husband fall in love with her? 

• What was in that bottle that James Bond ignited in the car? 

• Was there some importance of the blue dress Fiona wears to the Junkanoo?

• What sporting event do Dan and Tom liken the interaction between James Bond and Fiona Volpe? 

• And More … 

 

Tell us what you think about our shining the light with this Character Spotlight on Fiona Volpe played by Luciana Paluzzi in THUNDERBALL 

So, take a listen and let us know what you think. What do you think of the character Fiona Volpe? What did you think of Luciana Paluzzi’s performance?  Is Fiona your favorite James Bond female baddie?  If not, who is? 

Let us know your thoughts, ideas for future episodes, and what you thought of this episode. Just drop us a note at [email protected].  The more we hear from you, the better the show will surely be!  We’ll give you a shout-out in a future episode! 

 

You can check out all of our CRACKING THE CODE OF SPY MOVIES podcast episodes on your favorite podcast app or our website. In addition, you can check out our YouTube channel as well.   

Episode Webpage: https://bit.ly/4d0gwdA 

Join Dan and Tom as they decode the 2020 spy comedy movie SPY INTERVENTION.  It is a spy movie, but how is the comedy? Is it worth a watch? Dan and Tom are in a lively discussion answering that question! Listen to find out why. 

SPY INTERVENTION is a comedy starring Drew Van Acker, Poppy Delevingne, and Blake Anderson. There is a strong supporting cast as well. The basic premise is that a spy falls in love with a woman which made him leave the spy business and move to the suburbs.   Can he handle the mundane suburban life after a life of adventure?   

 This decoding session on SPY INTERVENTION includes a discussion of: 

• The cast and crew 

• What movie heavily influenced it? 

• Does the comedy work? 

• Which actor does Dan think was the best character? 

• What’s up with the screen resolution? 

• Whay spy movies influenced SPY INTERVENTION 

• What does CARMEN SANDIEGO have to do with this? 

• What worked 

• What didn’t work 

• And More … 

Tell us what you think about our decoding episode on SPY INTERVENTION. 

So, take a listen and let us know what you think. Have you previously heard of this movie? Or even seen it?  Do you agree with Dan and Tom on it?  If you haven’t seen it, are you likely to watch it now that you’ve heard about it? 

Let us know your thoughts, ideas for future episodes, and what you thought of this episode. Just drop us a note at [email protected].  The more we hear from you, the better the show will surely be!  We’ll give you a shout-out in a future episode!   

 You can check out all of our CRACKING THE CODE OF SPY MOVIES podcast episodes on your favorite podcast app or our website. In addition, you can check out our YouTube channel as well.   

Episode Webpage: https://bit.ly/42YUW4E 

Join Dan and Tom as they decode the 1957 WW II spy movie COUNT FIVE AND DIE.  It has intrigue and espionage. But, is it worth a watch? Listen to find out. 

COUNT FIVE AND DIE is based on the true story of how the Allies used deception to try to convince Adolph Hitler that the Allied invasion would be happening anywhere instead of Normandy.  In this movie, the focus is on The Netherlands.

This decoding session on COUNT FIVE AND DIE includes talk of:

·         The cast and crew

·         The tight story

·         The realities of the deception campaign

·         How trust and mistrust are key to the story

·         How filming and releasing it in black and white augmented the movie

·         What worked

·         What didn’t work

·         The score

·         Did it have a big budget and did it show up in the movie?

·         Does the romantic subplot work?

·         Are there any movies that may have been influenced by this one?

·         Cyanide pills – and how long do they really take to work?

·         And More …

You can find COUNT FIVE AND DIE on many streaming sites.  We told you during the episode that we’d give you a link to one of the better YouTube releases of this movie.  Here you go: Count Five and Die (1957).  We have no affiliation with the people who published that version on YouTube.

Tell us what you think about our decoding episode on COUNT FIVE AND DIE.

So, take a listen and let us know what you think. Have you previously heard of this movie? Or even seen it?  Do you agree with Dan and Tom on it?  If you haven’t seen it, are you likely to watch it now that you’ve heard about it?

Let us know your thoughts, ideas for future episodes, and what you thought of this episode. Just drop us a note at [email protected].  The more we hear from you, the better the show will surely be!  We’ll give you a shout-out in a future episode!  

You can check out all of our CRACKING THE CODE OF SPY MOVIES podcast episodes on your favorite podcast app or our website. In addition, you can check out our YouTube channel as well.  

Episode Webpage:  https://bit.ly/44KFUBI

In this episode, Dan and Tom bring in a special guest.  Join us as Raymond Benson, Bond author, talks his new book on Felix Leiter.

Novels are being written about some of the non-James Bond characters from the Ian Fleming James Bond novels.  To that end, Raymond Benson, who was the first American James Bond continuation author, is getting set to release his latest book, “The Hook and the Eye”. This is a book about Felix Leiter after his shark attack.  The book will be released initially as an e-book serial starting on May 27, 2025, with a paper book release in October.

This sounds like a fun book and having the Felix Leiter character getting a story of his own sounds very intriguing!

Some of the topics we discuss with Raymond include:

·         Raymond’s background and how he got started with all of his James Bond work

·         How the James Bond literary world has evolved

·         Why Raymond chose to do a book on Felix Leiter

·         How Felix Leiter is different in the Ian Fleming novels compared to the Eon Productions movies

·         How you will be able to get the book, “The Hook and the Eye”

·         And More …

Tell us what you think about our discussion as Raymond Benson, Bond author, talks his new book on Felix Leiter.

So, take a listen and let us know what you think.  Have you previously heard of that Raymond was writing this book?  Are you excited to get a novel focused on Felix Leiter?

Let us know your thoughts, ideas for future episodes, and what you thought of this episode. Just drop us a note at [email protected].  The more we hear from you, the better the show will surely be!  We’ll give you a shout-out in a future episode!  

You can check out all of our CRACKING THE CODE OF SPY MOVIES podcast episodes on your favorite podcast app or our website. In addition, you can check out our YouTube channel as well.  

Episode Webpage: https://bit.ly/4ioOAB6

Join Dan and Tom as they decode the 1951 World War II spy movie DECISION BEFORE DAWN.  It was the first spy movie nominated for the Best Motion Picture Academy Award. And we think it is likely that you never heard of it.

So, take a listen and we’ll decode this one for you.  There is a lot of realism in the movie, and we will highlight some of the real-world things that they adapted for this movie.

DECISION BEFORE DAWN was one of the first post-World War II movies that tried to humanize the regular German citizen, not the NAZI party.

In addition, DECISION BEFORE DAWN was the breakout role for the wonderful actor Oskar Werner.

Some of the topics we decode from this movie include:

·         Enough of the plot to get you started

·         The cast and their roles

·         How realistic was this movie?

·         How did the battle-worn towns look so accurate?

·         The direction, cinematography, and production design

·         A real-world connection between the movie and Oskar Werner’s life

·         Memorable scenes

·         What future spy movies were likely influenced by this one?

·         What line likely inspired a line from M in the James Bond movie SPECTRE?

·         What are the positives and negatives of the movie?

·         And More …

Tell us what you think about our decoding of the 1951 movie DECISION BEFORE DAWN.

So, take a listen and let us know what you think.  Have you previously heard of this movie or even watched it?  If not, did this episode entice you to watch it? If you have seen it, do you agree with Dan and Tom’s opinions?  Dan and Tom disagree a little about this movie.  Who do you agree with?

Let us know your thoughts, ideas for future episodes, and what you thought of this episode. Just drop us a note at [email protected].  The more we hear from you, the better the show will surely be!  We’ll give you a shout-out in a future episode!  

You can check out all of our CRACKING THE CODE OF SPY MOVIES podcast episodes on your favorite podcast app or our website. In addition, you can check out our YouTube channel as well.  

Episode Webpage: https://bit.ly/3G4wIOF