Brian Spiby – Google

This book is a total whitewash. It hides much more than it reveals. Just as Gypsy Rose Lee did. It makes no reference for example to the 4,000 plus National Servicemen who acted as Russian interceptors in the 1950's. They provided an endless stream of "sigint" for GCHQ which enabled the western allies to maintain a delicate balance in the cat-and-mouse game called the Cold War. The activities of these servicemen are widely published and available to the British public. So why does this book strenuously air-brush these activities out of the picture? Because having promised an open and honest account of GCHQ for many years and by their choice of author they have hope to avoid any adverse response from Putin.

Basically SAVING PRIVATE RYAN for the Brits. First half is great. Then it starts to become unbelievable with sequences involving (I'm trying to avoid "spoiler alerts") a German pilot, river crossing, abandoned baby, singing in the woods (better done in OH WHAT A LOVELY WAR), lengthy water escapades and a mumbling Benedict Cumberbatch who may or may not be on message - I couldn't tell. The final credits reveal the script is inspired by conversations with Mendes's grandfather - which would explain the episodic and sometimes fragmented narrative. But the performances, production design, camera work and direction are ace.