(soft music) (slow violin music) (screaming) - [Narrator] The death of Reilly's friend, Boris Savinkov, in a Moscow prison confirmed what Reilly had believed all along.

That the organization known as the Trust was a Bolshevik front and the brainchild of Felix Dzerzhinsky, the head of the Russian secret police.

It was the Trust which had arranged for Savinkov's return to Russia.

It was the Trust which had guaranteed his safety.

And now he was dead, it was from the Trust that Reilly sought his revenge.

This purpose however he kept from even those closest to him.

(soft music) (clapping) Reilly's marriage to Pepita came as a surprise to his friends and in particular to Caryll Houselander who had fallen in love with him.

(soft music) - They say third time lucky.

- Sidney, this is Mr. Yakushev.

He's just arrived from Petrograd.

And his friend, Maria Schulz, fellow traveler.

- I don't know if you remember but we met in Paris.

- Oh yes, you're with your husband Georgi.

- I hope you don't mind me bringing them along, but they both work for the Trust, so I knew you'd be interested.

- I've brought you some souvenirs from the homeland.

- It's my poster.

These were on every street corner 1918.

- They don't happen to have a copy of his death warrant, do you?

- No, but we could get one.

- [Pepita] Darling, I want you to meet some friends of mine.

We're all in the chorus together.

- Was that Caryll?

- Yes, she left.

- George, you haven't met Mr. Yakushev and his friend, Maria Schulz.

This is George Hill.

George spent some time in Moscow during the revolution.

- What were you doing there?

- Well in a rather roundabout way, I think I was after Dzerzhinsky's Rolls Royce.

(clearing throat) - [Stalin] Your report on Savinkov.

- He took his own life.

- Mm-hm.

Why?

- I think he dawned on him that he would never sit in this room at this desk eating sardines from a tin, and ruling Russia.

However, I do think that Artuzov's presence in the jail at the time of Savinkov's death needs some explanation.

- Artuzov.

Can you explain to the commissar why you were at the Blue Turkey the night Savinkov died?

- It was a routine visit.

- Did you meet with Savinkov?

- No.

- Good.

I'm appointing Artuzov as head of the internal security division of the Cheka Trilisser will continue to handle the foreign sections and you of course will remain in overall command of both organizations.

Have you any objections?

- As long as I'm kept fully informed.

- It's your job to make sure you're fully informed on all occasions, commissar.

I wouldn't want it any other way.

- Gentlemen, if you'd be kind enough to take your places.

I think we might begin.

Mr. Yakushev's time in this country is valuable and we don't want to be accused of wasting any of it.

Now he is here today to explain to us the aims and activities of the Moscow based anti-bolshevik organization known as the Trust.

Now there has been a great deal of speculation about the exact nature of his organization and Mr. Yakushev has indicated to me that he will be only too happy to answer any specific questions which any of you want to put at a later stage.

- Mr. Yakushev-- - What happened to Savinkov?

- I repeat, specific questions will be answered at a later stage of the meeting.

- I'd like to know now.

And we'll know who we're dealing with.

- Reilly, I'd like to hear what Mr. Yakushev has to say.

After all we've been listening to your views for some months now.

- The Trust invited Boris Savinkov to Moscow.

They guaranteed his safety and within a month he was dead.

- Captain Reilly, we did everything possible to protect him, but he had a dependency on drugs as you well know.

- Are you saying he jumped out of that window?

- He was an unstable man.

- He was murdered.

- I don't think any useful purpose will be served by pursuing this question at this juncture.

Raising questions about Savinkov was like playing on a cloth untrue with a twisted cue and elliptical billiard balls.

That meeting was full of people who believe in the Trust with religious fervor.

And take General Kutepov.

He told me that he is considering putting his entire combat organization at the Trust's disposal when the war starts in earnest.

- Good old Kutepov.

- And the Americans are planning to put a million dollars through it well.

- That should please Dzerzhinsky.

- Yes, his entire Secret Service is run on funds provided by his enemies.

- Exactly.

Something has to be done.

- Why didn't you say so this morning?

- Pointless.

The only way to convince those chaps is for someone to go to Moscow and bring back hard evidence to prove their being duped.

Would you like to go?

My dear fellow there's no risk attached.

Are you to be arrested, it would wreck the whole point of your being invited.

- So I'm to be invited.

- Oh, I'm sure that's the real reason for Yakushev's visit.

It must be becoming increasingly obvious to them but of all the people they need to convert, you are by far the most important.

When the invitation comes, I want you to accept it.

Go in, find out how they operate, who runs it, who fronts it.

Chapter and verse.

(groaning) - It needs to go to the left.

- I had this friend once.

- Take it further to the left.

- Who used to shoot holes through paintings.

- He must have been well-off.

No, I was wrong, it needs to go right.

- But he has this vast collection of family portraits which he's forbidden to sell and since he loathes his family.

- Up a bit.

- Can you mark this thing?

He just blasted away.

(soft music) - You know a lot of mad people, don't you?

And you're the maddest of them all - That's why you married me.

(dramatic music) - How much is that?

- Four bucks, sir.

- We're going to be very happy, aren't we?

(doorbell ringing) (doorbell ringing) - Do you remember me?

- No.

- As with Yakushev at your wedding.

This is my husband, Georgi.

I'm Maria Schultz.

Is Sidney at home?

- Yes, he is.

Yakushev sent you?

- He wants you to go to Russia.

It's very urgent.

Just three or four days.

- Good.

When?

- Be in Stockholm by Friday, Helsinki Saturday and through the window on Sunday.

Georgi will take you.

If you have any problems before then, you can find us at hotel Mont Parnes in Paris.

- Why does he want me to come?

- Because you and your propaganda are throttling our money supplies.

- Tell Yakushev I'll be there.

(dramatic music) Look, it'll only take a few days and then I'll be back.

- Does it have to be you?

- Yes, it is absolutely necessary.

- Where exactly will you be going?

- Petrograd probably.

To meet Yakushev.

- But only a few hours ago.

You must have known they were coming and at the time you said nothing.

- Now, listen to me.

I shall be very very careful.

And when I get to the border, I shall check the route and the crossing point.

And if there is anything at all suspicious, I won't go.

My most beloved, my sweetheart.

I want you to know that I would not have undertaken this trip unless it was absolutely essential, and if I was not convinced that there is practically no risk attached.

- "My dearest darling, I'm doing what I must do "with the absolute driven assurance "that if you were with me you would approve.

"You're in my thoughts always and your love will protect me.

"God bless.

"I love you beyond all words.

"Sidney."

- Can I show this to Cummings?

- Well he's going to Russia.

He'll be there this morning.

- If he gets caught, you can expect no help from us.

- That's what I love about foreign office.

Total support.

- [Reilly] Was that the frontier?

- [Maria] No, the border.

The frontier is four kilometers ahead.

They pulled it back because of the snow in winter.

- You mean we have a full kilometer walk?

- Four Finnish kilometers.

- I'm not exactly dressed for this.

- Here are your papers and passport.

The visa is marked 48 hours only.

Georgi will escort you and put you on the train.

You see, we take care of everything.

- I would have been more impressed if you'd cut out the hike.

- This is the safest route, Sidney.

That's why we chose it.

- Goodbye, Maria.

- Sidney.

Good luck.

(suspenseful music) - Safe she said.

- Good morning, Comrade Trilisser.

- Good morning.

- I've spoken to Yakushev.

Reilly has crossed the frontier.

- Good.

Is the meeting set up?

- Yes.

- I want him treated correctly from the moment he arrives to the moment he's put back on the train.

I'm holding you responsible for his safety.

- Naturally.

- Have you spoken to Artuzov?

- No.

- You'd better inform him.

I don't want him getting in the way.

- Who is this man Reilly?

- He was sentenced to death in 1918 for his part in the Lockhart Plot.

He's been the focus for our enemies ever since.

- And what's he doing in Russia?

- He's coming to Moscow to speak with the Trust.

- The Trust?

- A secret organization based here in Moscow to which the West attaches great importance.

In fact it's run by our foreign section.

It's their biggest operation.

- What do you mean a secret organization?

I want the files on all those involved.

- [Artuzov] All?

- All the people in the Trust.

- [Artuzov] But there are hundreds.

- All of them.

- Yes, General Secretary.

- And the file on Sidney Reilly.

- [Artuzov] Yes, sir.

- Go, Reilly.

(phone ringing) - Any news?

- I spoke to Stockholm.

- Yes?

I'll meet him at the In And Out, one o'clock.

If I'm late have someone sign him in.

- I'm worried.

Boris tells me that the arrangements of his return haven't been made.

- Well, that's because according to his wife he went through with Maria Schulz.

- Nevertheless it's unlike Sidney.

He's meticulous about that sort of thing.

- What are you suggesting, George?

That he's not coming back?

- I don't know.

- What the hell is the matter with you?

You've read this.

"I want you to know "that I would not have undertaken this trip "unless it was absolutely essential "and if I was not convinced "that there is practically no risk attached."

Does that suggest that he isn't coming back?

Yakushev will possibly induce him to stay.

You're not seriously suggesting that he's gone over to the Bolsheviks.

- I'm merely saying that none of the correct return procedures have been carried out, which indicates that he's not coming back in a hurry.

- What you need, my dear boy, is a stiff drink.

You've been too long on the road.

- You're the one who'll need the drink because you're the one who'll carry the can if he's picked up.

- The Cheka have far too much at stake to allow anything to happen to him.

Hundreds of agents overseas, unlimited access to harvested currency.

It would be nothing short of catastrophic for them if he would be picked up.

- Catastrophic.

Exactly.

- You made good time.

This is Captain Reilly.

This is Stern, my driver.

- The files you requested.

- I've changed my mind.

Reilly.

I want him arrested.

- [Trilisser] What the hell are you doing here?

- Stalin sent me to arrest Reilly.

- Opperput, what do you know of this?

- Nothing.

- I want to speak to Felix Dzerzhinsky at Cheka headquarters.

- The meeting shouldn't take long.

You can be on the train tonight.

- A call from Malahovka.

- Yes, Trilisser.

- Artuzov's just arrived.

He claims Stalin's authorized Reilly's arrest.

- Put him on.

- [Artuzov] Artuzov.

- Drawn your men in the house, keep out of sight, and don't move against Reilly until I've seen Stalin.

Now put Trilisser back on the line.

Trilisser.

- Yes, Felix.

- Get back here as fast as you can.

Call Stalin's office.

I need to see him, tell him it's urgent.

- Yes, commissar.

- Wait here.

- What do you want?

- Artuzov and his men have turned up at Malahovka.

They say that they're to arrest Reilly.

- Why are you so interested in this man?

- If you arrest Reilly the Trust will collapse with fatal consequences for our agents abroad.

- How is it that I have never even heard of this organization before now.

- It's an intelligence operation.

- But why wasn't I told about it?

- I don't see how it concerns you.

- Any operation which puts itself up as the alternative government of Russia deserves my closest attention, Felix.

Even if it is a fake.

Who sanctioned the formation of the Trust?

- Lenin.

- Lenin is dead.

How long can we afford to run this country with a dead man in command?

- What's the matter?

- [Stern] Water pump.

- Is that Reilly?

- [Stern] Yes.

- And where's Yakushev?

- [Stern] Over there.

Yakushev.

- What the hell are you doing here?

- Artuzov just turned up at the villa.

- Who is that?

- He's important.

- [Trilisser] Get your men off.

- And who the hell are you?

- [Trilisser] Trilisser.

- [Soldier] Right, out.

Everyone out.

- Is there trouble?

- Yes, at the villa.

- Do we go on?

- We go on in that.

- Nice to have friends with influence.

- Where are we heading?

- Malahovka.

- My reaction is to have the whole damn lot arrested.

- The finest of your soldiers, the most distinguished of your diplomats, you want them shot?

- What are they doing in such a body?

- They're in the Trust because I asked them to be in it.

Now I want you to talk to Trilisser.

He has the details on the situation abroad.

Now please listen to him before you make up your mind.

- And to welcome captain Reilly to this extraordinary meeting of the Trust.

Captain Reilly has been invited here for one purpose only.

So that he can see for himself that this organization represents a genuine alternative to the present Bolshevik leadership, and has both the will and the means to affect change.

It is one of the ironies of our position that we have lost the confidence of our friends in the West and their financial support.

But Captain Reilly is one of the most influential men in Europe and I don't think he would mind me saying also the sternest of our critics which is why I felt it appropriate to extend an invitation to him to come to Russia and to meet us.

- Perhaps I could begin by asking Captain Reilly what it is about our organization which makes him so suspicious.

- The death of Boris Savinkov.

- Do you realize that if Reilly's arrested the Trust will be destroyed.

- So?

- It's been the basis of our strategy for five years now.

- Then you'll have to devise a new one.

One more in tune with the times.

- What could be more in tune with the times than the Trust?

- What he means is what the West is looking for is exactly the kind of organization which we have created.

- You have created a monster which even at this moment is sitting in Malakhovka plotting to take over our government.

- But it's a phantom.

- What is the difference between a phantom and reality when you're dealing with a man like Reilly.

- If you wish the West to continue to fund you and even to increase their investment, then you must demonstrate to them the effectiveness of your organization.

Now we don't expect you to create a general strike but we do expect to see industrial unrest, mutinies in the army, demonstrations at the universities, and the odd piece of terrorism.

Trains derail, that sort of thing.

We want you to orchestrate a campaign of anarchy.

- I can assure you that the organization is within our control.

- Who are its paymasters.

Hmm?

The West.

- We can do all these things but not overnight.

In the meantime, largely due to your criticism, all funds from the West have been cut off at source.

- Then create new funds.

- How?

- Rob banks.

- The banks have no money.

- Then sellout treasures.

- But there are our heritage.

- Then you must make a decision.

Are you interested in the past or the future?

- I have here a list of our agents in the United States and the rest of the world who will be put at risk by your decision.

As you can see it runs into hundreds.

To have these men arrested will be seen as a great victory for the West.

- And what about the arrest of Reilly?

How will that be seen?

- As a failure of nerve on your part, sir.

(dramatic music) - You.

You accuse me of a failure of nerve?

What's the number of the house in Malakhovka?

- Seven.

- Get me Malakhovka seven.

To Artuzo.

Did you hear that, Felix?

A failure of nerve.

- He's right.

- Ladies and gentlemen, can I bring you back to the predicament in which we find ourselves, that is the growing distrust between us and our friends in the West.

May I therefore ask Captain Reilly what in his view would be the most effective way in which we could re-establish a feeling of confidence.

- Embark on a program of assassinations.

Beginning with Stalin.

(phone ringing) - Artuzov.

- Where's Reilly?

- He's in the next room.

- [Stalin] What's going on?

- Reilly has just suggested your immediate assassination.

- Reilly comes to Russia to organize my death and you characterize my reaction as a failure of nerve.

- I warned you that Reilly would provoke this situation.

- I want him arrested now.

- This is exactly the reaction Reilly wants.

- Get out!

And take your make believe government with you.

It's all over, Trilisser.

Power is power.

It's the one element of the human condition you can't fake.

Isn't it, Felix?

- You came to power because of the support you received from me.

You now believe you're so well placed that you can do with us as you please.

Well let me correct that impression.

I still control the Cheka both in Russia and abroad and I can tolerate so much interference in the way I run it and no more.

The Trust is a successful instrument of our policy.

Every potential threat to your regime has been spotted through its offices.

And all that concerns you that something so successful might one day be turned against you.

- It poses a threat to me not because it's successful but because it's past its time.

In the days when we were fighting a war on a dozen fronts your phantom had a function.

That situation no longer exists.

- Because we have successfully contained it.

Because we have hundreds of agents abroad report every move.

Agents who operate within the highest echelons of the emigres organizations.

Men who control their armies, their security, their funds.

Our whole Foreign Service is self-generating as a result of the money that flows into our accounts from these sources.

Three million dollars last year.

We can't afford to lose that kind of operation.

We've now reached a situation where we orchestrate the entire opposition.

The West believe they lead it but the fact is we do.

- You do.

You have so much power, Felix.

You don't have to do anything to undermine my position.

You merely have to exist.

- You question my loyalty?

- I want you to demonstrate it by arresting Reilly.

- It is so good to see you again.

- After all this time.

- Must you live tonight?

- The dawn's crack.

- How's Sascha?

- Sascha's fine.

He's living in Paris.

I've been living in New York, I haven't seen him since '21.

He's never there when I'm there.

- I miss the two of you, though heaven knows why.

I'm a famous choreographer now.

- So I understand.

Why have you joined this organization?

It's reeling with Dzerzhinsky's men.

- I don't believe you.

- That's why I'm here.

- I thought you came here to give us a clean bill of health.

- Not exactly.

I've come to destroy it.

- There are one or two faces that I haven't seen before.

Don't advertised your intentions too loudly, or you might not get out of here.

- Captain Reilly.

- If you're in any trouble, go to the tobacconist in the little market street.

He'll do anything for me.

Look after yourself.

- You too.

- We're all set.

- Has your driver fixed the car?

- Yes, he's stolen someone's water pump.

Do you mind?

Artuzov insists on coming along with us.

- No, not at all.

Where are we going?

- First stop, the station.

- On the Finnish border after a skirmish between smugglers and the Soviet border guards.

How's that?

- "The body of an Englishman was recovered "on the Finnish frontier after a skirmish "between smugglers and the Soviet border guards."

It's perfect.

We can't improve on it, it says absolutely nothing.

- You type it out properly, and I'll take it over to the Kremlin.

Where are they now?

- They should just be approaching the suburbs.

- I have to stop at the tobacconist's to send a postcard.

- Where?

- At the old market street.

- Is that alright with you, Artuzov?

Your old routine?

- Just to let them know I'm still on one piece.

What happened to Savinkov?

- Why don't you ask Artuzov?

All I know is he came back to Moscow.

Surrendered and was put on trial.

"I'm returning without bombs or armies.

"I ask only that you judge me as a man "who has devoted his entire life "to the cause of the Russian people."

That's what he said in the dock.

When he sat down, there wasn't a dry eye in the room.

- And what then?

- They gave him 10 years.

A very light sentence.

And accommodation at Lubyanka prison, just like a suite at the Plaza.

All he had to do is sit back and wait.

- Wait for what?

To be pushed out of a window?

- He was a difficult man.

- He was my closest friend.

(suspenseful music) And a stamp for Sweden, please.

- Sir.

(suspenseful music) The box is outside.

- And a stamp for England.

- Sir.

- Captain Reilly.

I'm Trilisser, head of the foreign section of the commission for combating counterrevolution and terrorism and this is Felix Dzerzhinsky.

- I regret to have to tell you that you'll be placed under arrest for charges against you in 1918.

(suspenseful music) - Well?

- We've got him nicely bedded down.

- Did he say anything?

- Just that everybody looks so young.

- "The body of an Englishman was recovered "on the Finnish frontier after a skirmish "between smugglers and the Soviet border guards."

- Good.

Have our ambassador in Helsinki make the announcement tonight.

I'm surprised he didn't put up a struggle.

- He expected to be arrested.

- How can you be so sure?

- How else can you explain this?

He's wrecked the most successful counterespionage operation ever run.

(soft music) (phone ringing) - Yes.

Where?

When?

Where's that, Finland?

Could be Reilly?

Thank you.

That was Boris from Stockholm.

There's been an incident on the Finnish border.

One casualty, the Russians say he was British.

- [George] It can't be Sidney.

- Get up there George and find out what the hell is going on.

And for God's sakes stay at this side of the frontier.

I don't want to lose another man.

- I suggest you get a message to Yakushev.

Where is the pass?

And we await an explanation.

And telephone Pepita.

It's important you keep her informed.

I'll telephone you from Stockholm.

- Damn.

Damn.

(soft slow music) - Congratulations.

(dramatic music)