(stately orchestral music) (slow orchestral music) - [Narrator] In 1922 a number of high-ranking Bolsheviks met outside Moscow to form an alternative Russian government.

This group, which became known as the Trust, was the brainchild of Felix Dzerzhinsky, founder of the Cheka, the Bolshevik secret police and his new protege, Mikhail Trilisser.

The purpose of the Trust was to create a focus for the world's anti-Bolshevik forces, so that the Cheka could control and eventually destroy them, thereby safeguarding the revolution in Russia.

This plan was to exceed Dzerzhinsky's wildest expectations.

By 1924 Western government agencies were giving the Trust both money and material in the mistaken belief that it was the only organization in Russia capable of destroying the Bolsheviks.

Meanwhile, through the Trust, Dzerzhinsky began luring back into Russia the most dangerous of his enemies.

- Gentlemen.

We have sent Lieberman to New York to convey to Savinkov our fraternal greetings and to offer him a guarantee of safe passage, should he wish to return to Russia.

- I hope measures have been taken to safeguard his arrival.

Savinkov is guarded by a particularly ruthless group of men who will stop at nothing to protect him.

- As soon as he steps ashore he'll be in our care.

- [Man] Can we pass on to next business, Sidney O'Reilly.

- [Narrator] The only man determined to thwart his plan was Sidney Reilly.

In the years that followed the Russian Civil War, the battle between the Red and White Russians expanded to embrace the world.

This was particularly true of New York, where thousands of refugees fleeing from Russia brought in their wake Bolshevik agents determined to carry the war into the enemy's camp.

In 1924, Reilly was living in America.

By day, a respectable businessman, by night, one of the inner line.

Savinkov's anti-Bolshevik organization, whose job it was to weed out the Reds from the Whites with the aid of the FBI.

- FBI.

(suspenseful music) - These are the ones that fit your description.

(coughing) (suspenseful music) Is he there?

(coughing) - Next to the old man.

- You.

Step forward.

(suspenseful music) He's called Lieberman.

- [Man] I'll take him!

Monkewitz!

(dramatic music) - [Monkewitz] Be careful with him, I don't want him harmed.

(man whistling "Oh Tannenbaum") (church bells tolling) (whistling) - Morning, Cummings.

- Morning, Sykes.

- [Sykes] Where's Hill?

- He's on his way.

I suppose you want coffee?

- No, thank you.

This is urgent and I need to be back at the Foreign Office by 10:00.

I have here a letter from Zinoviev.

- Commissar Zinoviev?

- The Dictator of Petrograd, as he is known to the newspapers.

We picked it up in Berlin.

Read it.

What is Reilly up to at the moment?

- He's in America, fundraising for Mr. Churchill's friend Savinkov.

- We are rapidly losing interest in Savinkov.

- Are you indeed?

- I am told he intends to invade Russia with the German army.

- Does he indeed.

(accordion toots) - We would take a dim view of such an adventure.

- Would you indeed?

- [Hill] Good morning, gentlemen.

- I was just showing the commander a letter from Commissar Zinoviev calling upon the British workers to prepare for revolution.

As you can see it's pretty strong stuff.

- [Hill] What do you say Commander?

- It's a forgery.

- Hill?

- I agree.

This could be Orlov's work.

Is it from Berlin?

- Yes.

- This could bring down the government.

- He was right.

This so-called letter, Sykes, is simply designed to wreck the trade treaty the government's about to sign with the Bolsheviks.

- Well, Reilly has written a letter stating the document is genuine.

- Well he would, wouldn't he?

It's in his interest to claim it's genuine.

He's made no secret of his view that this treaty represents a further encouragement by us of the Bolshevik regime.

And that he will stop at nothing to scupper it!

- Gentlemen, Sidney Reilly is your Russian expert.

He has guaranteed the authenticity of the document.

I'm going to give you a month to prove otherwise.

Or we shall release it to the press.

Better the government fall then the prospect of us all being murdered in our beds.

The ball is in your court.

Good day, gentlemen.

- Damn and blast Sidney Reilly!

- It's not just Sidney, sir.

Sykes and quite a few others will be more than happy to see this government fall.

- Stop defending him, George.

He's trying to overthrow the elected government of the country with a letter!

Probably forged by his friend Orlov.

- I'm merely trying to point out that the Foreign Office is not entirely without blame in this matter.

- Don't argue, George.

Go to Berlin.

Find Orlov and see what he has to say.

Meanwhile, I'll get in touch with your old chum Reilly.

- Item 16, a bust of the Emperor Napoleon by the French sculptor Pierre Jean De Lille Danger, and we start the bidding at $40,000.

Thank you; 41.

42, 43.

$44,000 against you, Madam.

Thank you 45, 46, 47, 47 against you sir, 48, 49.

$49,000, 50.

$51,000, thank you, sir.

52, $53,000.

- $54,000.

- [Auctioneer] $54,000, 55, $56,000, 57, $58,000, 59.

$60,000, 61.

$61,000, we need a pass, 62, 63,000, 64.

$64,000, 65, 65, 65 against you, Madam.

- Mr. Reilly?

- Yes?

- You don't know me, but I was a friend of Marie Friede's.

- Marie's been dead some six years now.

- I know; she was shot in Lubyanka.

- And what's your name?

- Euvgenia Savinkov.

- At 75,000, 76.

76,000.

(gavel bangs) Monsieur Jean-Marie de Gray-sa, $76,000.

- [Euvgenia] The David is yours.

- Yes it is.

- And all proceeds go to the fighting fund.

- And how can I help you?

- Mamie Daerenthal told me that your secretary had just left; I'm looking for a job.

- Do you know anyone else in the organization?

- Maureen Der-et-sky-a.

- Do you typewrite?

- Yes.

- You're hired.

(piano music) (people chatting) (knocking at door) - Mamie Daerenthal.

- Sidney.

- You know Euvgenia?

- [Mamie] Of course.

(laughing) Look at you!

- Yes, I did Mamie.

- That's wonderful!

(speaking faintly) Ladies and gentlemen, Mr. Sidney Reilly.

How much is it, Sidney?

Three quarters of a million!

(Mamie laughing) (guests applauding) - Well done, Sidney.

I'll tell Savinkov you're here.

- No, let me-- - No, no, no no no.

Stay here.

(guests chatting) - [Madam Savinkova] So you sold your collection for my son's cause?

- Yes, I have, Madam Savinkova.

- Just to keep this worthless organization from going bankrupt?

- Is that such a bad idea?

- Just look around you, what do you see?

Hangers-on everywhere.

Thank you.

- Well, every army has its camp followers.

- Yes, but not in the general's quarters.

(door bangs) - Reilly's here, Boris.

- I don't want him to see me like this.

- He's brought the check with him.

- Ask him to wait for five minutes.

Get Mamie for me!

- [Servant] Very well.

(guests speaking faintly) - Is it true?

Did you hire Euvgenia?

- Yes, she gave your name.

It seems she's also a friend of Mamie Daerenthal.

- I don't like the idea of her living all alone out at Long Island.

- I'm near.

- Yes.

- Boris apologizes, he'll be here in a few minutes.

- It's the old wound, is it?

- Yes, I'm afraid so.

(piano music) - He'll be all right now.

- I said five minutes, Sidney.

- Are you sleeping with her?

- Yes.

- As a husband then?

- That's none of your business.

We have an arrangement, yes.

- Do you know, Boris, they call it a deal.

- Oh yes.

(sighs) I can't believe it.

- [Sidney] The French bought most of it.

- Did they?

Well now I can get this circus on the road.

- When are you leaving for Paris?

- Tuesday, can't be helped.

Sidney, now that Lenin's dead, there's a power struggle going on in Moscow.

And Scotland wants me in Europe in case anything breaks, so-- - Boris, I need you here.

I'm hoping for a meeting with Henry Ford.

- Ford?

- His backing means access to unlimited funds.

Oil men, steel men, the big banks.

- You handle it, Sidney, you're good at that sort of thing.

(engine rumbling) - How long?

- This is one of our safe places.

- It doesn't look very safe to me.

You wait here for a moment.

(horn blows faintly) (cat meows) (footsteps echoing) Where's Lieberman?

- [Monkewitz] He's dead.

(footsteps echoing) - [Sidney] What happened?

- Guess his heart gave out.

What do we do with him?

- [Sidney] Whose are these?

- Mine, boss.

(clattering) - They're scum.

- [Monkewitz] We fight scum with scum.

- Where are the notes of the interrogation?

Now you listen to me, Monkewitz, you're to stop employing Klansmen.

This isn't an open season on Jews.

- Where there's Jews, there's Bolsheviks!

- Tell the person who wrote this to me, it's illegible.

(orchestral music) (footsteps echoing) (orchestral music) (engine rumbling) Evening, ma'am.

- Good evening.

- Sir.

- Evening, Doe-dee-ay.

(orchestral music) Whenever I go out, I always leave an exact description of my whereabouts and my movements up here on the mantelpiece.

Now, if I'm overdue, you will open the letter and check the contents.

Otherwise, it's to remain sealed at all times.

Is that clear?

Second, you will log all incoming calls, including wrong numbers.

Have you ever used of these things?

Always keep it handy.

You never know when they may decide to pay us a visit.

- They?

- The Bolsheviks.

This is where you sleep.

Good night.

- What happened to your last secretary?

- [Sidney] She disappeared.

(orchestral music) - Nice-looking kid.

- Careful what you say to her.

- [Butler] Okay.

- [Sidney] My dear Cummings, Euvgeney Semeneneko, my new secretary.

Please check her against your St. Petersburg files.

Her credentials are impeccable, yet there is something about her that makes me suspicious.

(engine rumbling) (birds twittering) - Madame Chinova's here.

- Madame Chinova.

- Would you like some tea?

- Yes, please.

- Thank you.

- [Sidney] Please sit down.

You were at the warehouse when they interrogated Lieberman.

- Yes, sir.

- Are these your notes?

They're illegible.

- Sorry.

- Was it raining that night?

- No, sir, it was ice-cold.

- So these are tears?

- Yes, sir.

- Madam Chinova, what is a woman like you doing taking down in shorthand the screams of men under torture?

Was your family killed in Russia?

- Yes, sir by the Reds.

- And this is your way of getting even.

Did you see Lieberman die?

- No sir, I was asked to leave when they began to, when they started asking for names.

He came up with the Daerenthals.

The Daerenthals?

- Yes.

General Monkewitz got annoyed.

- And then you were asked to leave.

- Yes sir.

- How long after that did he... - Not long.

Then they came out and I knew he was dead.

(door latch clicks) Thank you.

- [Sidney] Were there any other names?

- [Chinova] I think he started to say Plevitskaya, but the general got so angry I couldn't make it out.

- So what is all this?

- Well, he just kept repeating, "I'm not a member of the Cheka, "I'm a member of the bank," or something.

- The Trust?

- That's right, the Trust.

- Lieberman's dead.

They found his body in the river.

- You'd better get someone else, and soon.

- Well that's not gonna be too easy.

We need someone who is totally trustworthy and utterly convincing.

- But not so unlucky.

Why don't you go yourself?

- To New York?

- No, to Paris.

You can intercept Savinkov there.

- He's vulnerable, he's a Russian and he's homesick.

Work on that.

- And what about the rioting?

- Let's get Savinkov, the value will follow.

(old-fashioned car horn honks({ - Mrs. Reilly.

- And you are?

- Mr. Reilly.

- Sixth floor, Mr. Reilly, you're expected.

Oh, Mrs. Reilly this is the desk.

Mr. Reilly's on his way up, yes ma'am.

- My dear Melody.

- Sidney, darling.

Mm.

(orchestral music) How is life on Long Island?

- Mm, quiet.

(romantic orchestral music) - You like it?

- Yes, I do.

- [Melody] There's nothing like cubism to bring out a woman's shape.

- Ma-see-na would have admired this place.

- [Melody] Let us not bring up the past.

I don't want to live in a world that doesn't exist anymore.

- Where is Nobel?

- In Shanghai, last I heard.

What about you, are you still working for Savinkov?

- Mm hmm.

- You used to be so clever.

- Who is the man down in the lobby?

- He's a present from Nobel, he thinks I need protection.

(speaking faintly) Nobel, yes.

If you'll give me support.

For you, my love, anything.

Why should I stand in the way of true love, hmm?

- Money, for one thing.

You can't beat that, my love.

- 20 years a countess, and you still think like a peasant.

- [Melody] I'm concerned for you.

- Look, I know your world, I've lived in it.

But I live in a different world, a world of haunted men as... hatred and great ambitions, of schemes as big as anything dreamt by Genghis Khan of power.

Russia.

When you talk about Russia, you are talking about the fate of the world.

- I just don't want to see you destroyed, that's all.

(sighs) I'll give you a divorce on one condition: that Nobel gets me an introduction to Henry Ford.

- [Narrator] Two weeks later, Boris Savinkov, the Daerenthals, and Maria Plevitskaya left for France, leaving Reilly and Euvgenia behind in New York.

(guests chattering) - How are you?

Good to see you; Sidney!

(laughing) (guests chatting and laughing loudly) Come fill my glass, Sidney, my beloved.

(imitates kissing) Remember that girl, lovely girl.

In St. Petersburg, wasn't it?

- Yes, I do remember.

- Well.

(ship's horn honks) - Here's to her, hmm?

- Here's to her.

(glasses clink) (guests chattering) - I wish you were coming with me.

- I've got a meeting with Ford.

(guest chatting loudly) I've got about three minutes before Mamie comes barging through that door, and I want to tell you what's been going on in New York.

You've been trapped, Boris, by a tight little group, some of whom may be working for the Bolsheviks.

- I've heard all this.

- Both your mistress, Mamie Daerenthal and Maria Plevitskaya, for a start, and I would guess their husbands.

- It's a lie!

- Boris, Lieberman is dead.

And do you know why?

Your friend, General Monkewitz, had him beaten to death.

Because he was going to talk, and if he had talked, he would have compromised them all.

- No.

- Now I know the Trust are trying to lure you back into Russia, and I wanted to find out from Lieberman what exactly they were up to, but before I could talk to him, Monkewitz had him killed.

(guests chatting loudly) - What is Boris doing in there?

- I don't know.

You tell him he's got guests out here.

(guests chatting loudly) - Lieberman was sent to New York with a promise of safe passage for me.

(speaking faintly) (door latch clicks) - Please, you're wanted.

- One minute, Mamie.

(guests chatting loudly) Lieberman was my friend.

- He was working for Dzerzhinsky.

- Boris, the press want photographs, the New York Times-- - Get out!

There was a growing feeling that I should return to Russia.

Yes, have been communications, but there was no reason to kill Lieberman.

- Why didn't you tell me?

- Why didn't you talk to me?

- Because since the Daerenthals arrived, I've become an outsider.

- The Daerenthals are my friends.

You're my friend, Lieberman was my friend.

- You no longer know who your friends are.

Boris, these people are gonna wrap you up and deliver you to Dzerzhinsky's doorstep.

You must trust me.

Don't do anything until we've met in Berlin.

By the time we should have Ford's decision.

If you go back into Russia, it'll be the end for me.

I've staked everything on you, my money, my reputation, my life.

(orchestral music) - I know.

- I know I won't see you again.

- Cheer up.

(guests chatting loudly) (orchestral music) (orchestral music) - Where did you meet Marie?

- On the quayside in Odessa.

It was just after the Bolsheviks had surrounded the city.

Daerenthal was with her.

There was no room on the ships, so they decided to get married.

I was best man.

- What about Maria Plevitskaya?

- When boo-gen-ee attacked, we escaped.

Made our way east.

After a few days we ran into the White Army.

We were both raped.

We were about to end up on their bayonets when their commander appeared.

Plevitskaya was with him.

She just glanced at Mamie and fell in love with her.

I took one look at her and did the same.

That's how we met.

- Were you lovers?

- For a while.

But my preference is for men.

(orchestral music) (fire crackling) (orchestral music) (bed creaking) (orchestral music) - You're late.

- Is Nobel here?

- Of course.

And Ford, who says he's dying to meet you.

- Anyone else?

- Only someone called Dawes, he's Coolidge's running mate.

- You're wonderful.

- Mm, if you're hungry I shall have some sandwiches sent up for us both.

Darling, this is my husband.

My dearest, this is the man I hope to marry.

- [Sidney] I've heard a lot about you.

- I've been doing some checking myself.

Gentlemen, this is Mr. Sidney Reilly.

He has a plan to invade Russia with the German Army, and he's looking for finance.

- Sit down, Mr. Reilly, make yourself comfortable.

(telephone ringing) - Hello?

- Open the envelope.

- And if he comes back?

- He won't be coming back.

I want to know if he saw Henry Ford.

(suspenseful music) - [Euvgenia] Hello.

He met Henry Ford tonight.

(suspenseful music) (singing drunkenly) ♪ La la ♪ ♪ La la ♪ ♪ There'll be no more sorrow when ♪ - If it takes all night, you're gonna smoke that damn thing, aren't you?

- I can't think of anything better to do.

- We've been followed for the last five miles, and you're not doin' a damn thing about it.

- Pull over and let him pass.

- When I slow, he slows.

When I put my foot down, he does likewise.

(sighs) - Where's the Thompson?

(gun clicks) (tires squealing) Let's get on with it.

(gunshots booming) (tires squealing) (gunshots booming) - He's gainin' on us!

- Then go faster!

(gunshots booming) (tires squealing) (footstep clattering) (suspenseful music) (footsteps echoing) (breathing heavily) (footstep echoing) (door clicks and creaks) (suspenseful music) Monkewitz is dead.

You tried to kill me.

(bird cawing) (birds calling) Here.

(water splashing) (gun clicks) (gunshot booming) (Euvgenia groans) - Good evening, Herr-line.

- Good evening, Karl.

- [Karl] They have arrived.

- Was Herr Savinkov with them?

- Ja.

- Good.

(screaming) - How long do you expect this to go on for?

- All night.

(gunshots booming) (screaming) (gunshots booming) (desk bell rings) (footsteps echoing) - [Sidney] 411, please.

(key rattles) - A Mr. Hill called.

- Mr. Hill?

Did he leave a message?

- Only that he will return tonight if at all possible.

(clacking) - [Narrator] Reilly arrived in Berlin during a period of civil unrest.

The Nazis were already on the march.

He had in his possession General Hoffman's plans for the invasion of Russia and various financial guarantees.

With these he was convinced that Savinkov would join him in a final effort to overthrow the Bolsheviks.

(woman humming) ♪ Doo dee doo doo doo ♪ ♪ Doo ♪ ♪ Ya da dum ♪ ♪ Doo doo ♪ ♪ Dee ♪ (humming faintly) ♪ Da da, bup, bum bum ♪ ♪ Dum da dum bum bum bum ♪ ♪ Dum da dum bum bum da bum ♪ ♪ Ba dum bum ♪ - I beg your pardon, the door was unlocked.

Are you aware that this is my bathroom?

- You could have knocked.

And you could have locked the door.

Key was on your side.

- As a matter of fact I was having a bath.

In your bathroom.

(woman humming) (door bangs) (clattering) The hall porter said you weren't expected back till midnight.

Don't suppose I've left you a single dry towel.

(woman humming) ♪ Da dee dee da da dum ♪ (woman humming) - Is Boris there?

He's in the bath, hmm.

Well, tell him that I have Hoffman's plans and Ford's agreement.

And I shall meet him for dinner at 9:30.

- Sidney's arrived.

- I'd like a cab.

- I would not advise madam to take a cab until there is a lull in the fighting.

(gunshots booming faintly) - Thank you.

I imagine you'd like something to drink.

- I'll have a glass of milk.

- Anything in it?

- Brandy and a raw egg.

(Sidney clears throat) - Have you eaten today?

- No.

But I've had a bath.

(chuckling) (gunshots boom faintly) - Well tell me, what are you doing in Berlin?

- I was in a show, but it folded.

It had something to do with the political climate.

- Well, what shall we drink to?

- Your bathroom?

- Our bathroom.

- Thank you.

By the way, my name is Pepita Bobodilla.

- Thank you, that'll be all.

- Anyway, here are General Hoffman's invasion plans, Ford's agreement and various other banks and businesses-- - I'm going back.

I saw Yah-koo-she in Paris.

I've been promised the protection of the Trust.

It's the only way - When are you leaving?

- Tomorrow morning.

I don't want to return to Russia at the head of a German army.

I've felt this for some time.

You see, I think we've got it wrong, all wrong.

Our political attitudes are wrong.

We go back into Russia, fight them from there.

If necessary, go to jail.

May die.

In there.

I'm dying out here, Sidney.

I want to breathe that air, I want to live on that land.

I'm going back in.

(gunshots booming) (soft music) (gunshots boom faintly) (orchestral music) - I just wanted to see that you were all right.

- Sorry, Sidney, but Hill has had the whole story from comrade Orlov.

He admits to forging the Zinoviev letter at your instigation, so now all that's needed is for you to acknowledge the fact.

Sidney, if the Foreign Office release that letter the government will fall.

- In my view, that's no bad thing.

- It's a forgery.

- Then no one will believe it.

- You know perfectly well that unless it's contradicted the whole country will believe it!

(typewriters clacking) - In that case, Commander, you're in trouble.

- Now you listen to me, Sidney.

Just because your comrade in arms, that drug addict Savinkov has defected to the Bolsheviks, you've decided to bring down the British government.

Well you won't be able to do it.

Now why don't you turn your guns on your real enemy?

Dzerzhinsky.

I've got the dirt or the whole damn lot of them, Sidney.

Monkewitz, Scotland, Euvgenia Semenenko.

You were quite right about her, Sidney, a Bolshevik from the day she was born!

- This song comes from the time of Napoleon's war, when the French armies stood before Moscow watching it burn down.

Some of the women of Moscow, watching the city burn, decided to take to the hills to avenge their ravaged country and to avenge their dead husbands and lovers.

The song is called The Soldiers of the Night and is dedicated to a great benefactor of the White Russian cause, who is here tonight.

A man whose legendary generosity is perhaps only excelled by his great exploits in the Russian Revolution.

This paragon of manly visions is none other than Captain Sidney Reilly, MC.

(audience applauding) I also dedicate this song to my friend Euvgenia Semenenko, a friend of mine since I first met her outside Odessa.

For she was one of the soldiers of the night.

(melancholy music) (singing faintly) - [Man In Black] Bored?

- [Pepita] It's too Russian; gloom, gloom, gloom.

- Yes.

I prefer Gilbert and Sullivan.

♪ Really pretty maid over there, tell me ♪ ♪ Ooh ♪ How long have you known Sidney?

- Since Berlin.

He won't tell me but is he married?

- Rather more than once.

- Nothing current?

- No.

- Good, I don't like stealing other girl's husbands.

If they're just lying around... - You think he's just lying around?

- I feel he's been abandoned.

(woman singing faintly on stage) - Could be.

♪ The soldiers of the night ♪ ♪ The dead keep on ♪ ♪ That we continue to fight the war ♪ ♪ With every sinewy, oh soldier ♪ ♪ Yes the soldiers ♪ ♪ The soldiers of the night ♪ ♪ In victory there's no other ♪ ♪ But the soldiers of the night ♪ - [Narrator] In Moscow, Savinkov was put on trial and sentenced to death for his part in the Civil War.

The sentence was later commuted to 10 years' imprisonment.

In New York, Nadia married Nobel.

In London, the British government fell, some say as a result of the so-called Zinoviev letter.

Reilly never forgot those who were responsible for his friend Savinkov's defection and determined to take his revenge.

(melancholy music) (orchestral music) (upbeat music)