Best Historical Spy
Field Grey is a historical crime and espionage novel by British author Philip Kerr, published in 2010 and featuring his recurring German detective Bernie Gunther. The story moves among several periods in Gunther's life, linking his service in prewar and wartime Germany with later events in Cuba, Wes...
The miniseries Reilly, Ace of Spies recounts the extraordinary life of Sidney Reilly, a real-world British intelligence officer active in the early 20th century. It explores his dangerous missions infiltrating Russia and uncovering Bolshevik plots during the turbulent 1980s. Neill’s portrayal bring...
Prague Fatale is a 2011 historical detective novel by British author Philip Kerr, featuring his recurring protagonist Bernie Gunther. Set in 1941 during World War II, the story follows Gunther, a German detective, as he navigates the dangerous political landscape of Nazi-occupied Prague. The novel c...
"Prussian Blue" is a historical detective novel written by Philip Kerr and published in 2017. As the twelfth installment in the Bernie Gunther series, the narrative follows the titular German detective as he navigates the complex political landscape of Nazi Germany. The plot alternates between 1939,...
OSS 117: Cairo, Nest of Spies, released in 2006, depicts French secret agent Hubert Bonisseur de La Bath’s mission to Cairo. He investigates the disappearance of his colleague, Jack Jefferson, uncovering an intricate network of espionage. The film was directed by Michel Hazanavicius and stars Jean D...
The Lady from Zagreb is a 2015 historical spy novel by British author Philip Kerr, featuring his recurring protagonist, German detective Bernie Gunther. Set during World War II, the narrative follows Gunther as he navigates the political machinations of the Third Reich, including interactions with J...
Super Spy is a 2007 graphic novel by Matt Kindt, published by Top Shelf Productions. It presents interconnected espionage vignettes set during World War II, using a non-linear narrative structure to depict the lives, missions, and fates of various intelligence operatives. The work combines painted i...
A Hero of France is a 2015 espionage novel by American author Alan Furst, set in 1941 Paris just prior to the German invasion of the Soviet Union.
Watch on the Rhine depicts the story of Kurt Muller, a former German citizen living in America who undertakes a perilous mission during World War II. The film highlights his struggle against Nazi sympathizers and his determination to thwart fascist efforts within the United States. Paul Lukas’ perf...
Charlie Wilson’s War details the actions of U.S. Representative Charlie Wilson and CIA agent Gust Avrakotos in facilitating Operation Cyclone. This operation provided covert aid to the Afghan mujahideen fighting against the Soviet Union during the late 20th century. The film recounts their efforts t...
The Sympathizer is a 2024 historical drama miniseries adapted from the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Viet Thanh Nguyen. Developed for television by Park Chan-wook and Don McKellar, the story follows a half-French, half-Vietnamese communist spy embedded within the South Vietnamese military. After t...
Dark Voyage is a 2004 historical spy novel by Alan Furst, notable for its maritime setting aboard a Dutch freighter conducting covert operations in 1941.
Mata Hari is a 1931 drama directed by George Fitzmaurice, portraying the life of Mata Hari, an exotic dancer executed for espionage during World War I. Greta Garbo starred in the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer production, which proved to be her most commercially successful film. A censored version of the movie...
"Your Scandalous Ways" by Loretta Chase (2008) is a Regency-era romance set in Venice, pairing a British spy with a notorious English courtesan.
Hornet Flight is a 2002 historical thriller by Ken Follett about a Danish teenager who discovers a secret German radar installation and flees to England.
“The Eagle Has Landed” is a Cold War drama set in 1970s Austria. The film recounts the perilous mission to retrieve a downed British reconnaissance plane and its American pilot following heightened East-West tensions. It’s notable for its suspenseful portrayal of espionage and political intrigue, pr...
The Scarlet Pimpernel is a historical adventure novel by Hungarian-British author Baroness Emma Orczy, first published in 1905. Set during the French Revolution's Reign of Terror, the plot follows Sir Percy Blakeney, an English aristocrat who masquerades as a wealthy fop to conceal his identity as a...
The King’s Man is a 2021 prequel to the British Kingsman film series. The story explores events surrounding World War I and details the origins of the Kingsman organization, featuring an ensemble cast including Ralph Fiennes and Gemma Arterton. It adapts elements from Mark Millar and Dave Gibbons' c...
