He demanded the removal of the missiles already there and the destruction of the sites. Wynne died at Londons Cromwell Hospital on Wednesday, the British domestic news agency Press Association reported, quoting unidentified close friends. If he thought publishing his second memoir, 1981s The Man From Odessa, would secure his legacy, Wynne was sadly mistaken as it only served to further muddy the already murky waters surrounding Penkovsky. His first wife Sheila, played in the film by Jessie Buckley, had divorced him after he got out, and he virtually disowned his son. Full name. The Chisholms were expelled from Moscow for behaviour incompatible with their diplomatic status. "He started as a nave amateur. Click here to Start FameChaining. Benedict Cumberbatch as Greville Wynne; Merab Ninidze as Oleg Penkovsky; Rachel Brosnahan as Emily Donovan; Angus Wright as Dickie Franks; Jessie Buckley as Sheila Wynne; Keir Hills as Andrew Wynne. Here are the instructions how to enable JavaScript in your web browser. So, with little more knowledge than to simply be himself and await further instruction, he became Penkovskys new courier. Wynne was a middle-class British businessman whose frequent travel to Eastern Europe attracted recruitment by MI-6 to serve as a liaison to high-ranking Soviet official Penkovsky. It was a cruel end for a man who had done so much not just for his country, but for humanity. WebTHE SPY CHARGES FACING 42-YEAR-OLD WYNNE COULD BRING A DEATH SENTENCE OR SEND HIM TO JAIL FROM SEVEN TO 15 YEARS.HE HAS BEEN DETAINED SINCE HE WAS ARRESTED IN BUDAPEST LAST NOVEMBER. But his leaked information on Soviet missile capabilities and played a key role in President Kennedy's strong, successful stance during the Cuban Missile Crisis. But he said his training with the MI6 was even worse. Despite working together, the CIA and MI6 dont get along, frequently mocking each other and sometimes purposely making tasks more difficult for the other agency. "The Courier" has compressed the real-life story and changed some facts. Explore how the celebrity world connects. He preceded this book with The Man from Moscow: The Story Of Wynne and Penkovsky (1967) and published in the USA as Contact on Gorky Street: a British Agent's Own First-Hand Account of His Mission to Moscow (1968). Doing so may cause your download to be interrupted. Benedict Cumberbatch is known for bringing outlandish, extraordinary characters, from Marvel's "Dr. "(Chisholm) played a very important role in the story that we couldn't get into, because it's a whole other movie," Cooke says. His nation would dismantle the weapon sites in exchange for a pledge from the United States not to invade Cuba. He's a World War II hero and seems a loyal Soviet citizen. Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev decided to compensate for the growing missile gap between the US and the USSR by placing medium range nuclear missiles in Americas backyard. He was an intermediary for the important Soviet spy Oleg Penkovsky, who was engaged in selling arms and weapons secrets to British intelligence. Wynne wrote about his time as a spy in a book entitled The Man from Odessa, first published in 1981. He was arrested during a business trip to Budapest, Hungary, in November 1962 and taken to the Soviet Union. Greville married Sheila Margaret Wynne (born Beaton) on month day 1946, at age 27. Died. Wynne was returned to the West at a Berlin Wall checkpoint in April 1964, exchanged for KGB agent Konon Molody, who had been sentenced to 25 years in Britain. But when they put politics aside, they realized they werent actually all that different. WebGreville Maynard Wynne (19 March 1919 28 February 1990) was a British engineer and businessman recruited by MI6 because of his frequent travel to Eastern Europe. Penkovsky's visits to an adjacent building identified him as a likely source of the leaks. He was transferred to MI6 and assisted with the 1959 defection of the Soviet intelligence officer, Major Kuznov. "Greville Wynne was an ordinary man doing an extraordinary thing," Cumberbatch says. Opposition Labor Party legislator Ted Leadbitter said of Wynne in a statement to reporters Wednesday night: How many secrets has this man taken to his grave?. Connect with the definitive source for global and local news. The fascinating part is how something that seems so unexciting proves to play a key role in defusing the Cuban Missile Crisis. The Cuban missile crisis began after the crew of an American U-2 spy plane photographed nuclear missile sites being built by the Soviet Union on Cuba. British Born 70 years ago (April 1952) Mr Andrew Greville Wynne 4 Londesborough Place Lymington SO41 8QB. Copyright FameChain 2023, All rights reserved. After his release, Wynne revealed details about his espionage career. Penkovsky works for the KGB but has the official title of trade specialist, which means it would be quite unextraordinary for him to meet repeatedly with Wynne. Director Cooke says Donovan is a composite character representing several real-life people, including Janet Chisholm the wife of a Moscow-based British visa officer who also served as a conduit for information passed to the West by Penkovsky. Sheila Wynne Partner(s) Other Children. Matching is performed only by full name so it's possible that the information refers to more than one person. In April 1961 Penkovsky began passing information about Soviet missile developments, nuclear plans, locations of military headquarters and the identities of KGB officers. Penkovsky and Wynnes motivation to steal top-secret intel from the USSR is driven by their desire to protect their loved ones from a nuclear holocaust. WebSummary: Spy Greville Wynne with his son Andrew and wife Sheila outside of their London home after being released from the Soviet prison in April 1964. Start a FameChain Add to my FameChain. Wynne wrote about his time as a spy in a book entitled The Man from Odessa, first published in 1981. It's not over for Domynique and Mackinley at least not yet. He was born in 1919 and passed away on 29th February 1990. He would provide them with the information necessary to prevent war, and in exchange, the United States government would help Penkovsky and his family defect when the time was right. It is not known where he will spend the rest of his sentence. When his cover was blown he found himself cornered by four burly Communist heavies who hurled him into the back of their car and hit him over the head with an iron bar. But perhaps none more so than Colonel Oleg Penkovsky of the Soviet Union. Be at the airport tomorrow by six oclock. Wynne set up his own business as an exporter of industrial engineering products in 1950. But what he did want was to protect his wife and son. MI6 sees him and his international dealings as a perfect cover for smuggling information out of Soviet Russia. 1. But from time to time he would be asked to bring pilfered Soviet secrets back to London. This was seized upon by critics, including then Tory MP and espionage expert Rupert Allason, who rubbished much of Wynnes record. Mostly, Wynne was to carry on business as usual. British sources continue to deny Wynne was involved in spying. Penkovsky was immediately arrested and it was not long before he gave the name of Wynne as his British contact. As he often travelled to Eastern Europe he was asked to join MI6. Khrushchev later backed off and ordered the Soviet missiles returned to the Soviet Union after President John F. Kennedy ordered a naval quarantine of Cuba. But in September 1989, Wynne was present in the High Court when he won substantial libel damages from Allasons publisher Weidenfeld. He was recruited by MI5 during the Second World War. 'The Courier' Tells Lesser Known Real Life Spy Story. Subscribe to our Spartacus Newsletter and keep up to date with the latest articles. In 1961, Oleg Penkovsky, deputy head of the foreign department of the Coordination of Scientific Research, told a British diplomat that he wished to sell Soviet secrets. Welsh-born Wynne was plucked from obscurity by Britains secret services because they needed someone with a plausible cover and Eastern Bloc countries were desperate for the type of state-of-the-art engineering and technical equipment that he sold. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. Back at the hotel, the Brit discovered that his carefully folded clothes had been tampered with. It may not seem as if two people would be enough to change the outcome of a global standoff. Theyre supposed to hate each otheror at least only grudgingly tolerate each another. After hosting a party for trade delegates, Wynne found himself alone and confronted by four short, thickset men wearing trilby hats, standing in front of two Russian saloon cars. It is believed to be correct at the time of inputting and is presented here in good faith. Wynne was arrested in Budapest and extradited to the Soviet Union. "The Courier" is playing in multiple cinemas in San Diego. We also see people drinking heavily to handle stressful situations. After graduating from Nottingham University he became an electrical engineer. Wynne was flown from Hungary to Moscow, where he was brutally tortured before being sentenced to eight years in a Soviet labour camp. What the film delivers is something that is both fascinating and utterly mundane. As the film alludes, life never returned to normal for Wynne, who battled depression and the psychological after-effects of his incarceration. We see another man in similarly bad shape later on and learn he was also executed. Sheila assumes that the reason her husband keeps traveling to Russia is because he is having an affair. Parents, get practical information from a biblical worldview to help guide media decisions for your kids! Here's what to know about Wynne's real history. But his loyalty is not merely to those holding power; it is to something bigger. I will try to carry on, but its very dangerous. In October 1962, under the cover of a Budapest trade fair, Wynne travelled to Hungary with mobile exhibition trailers containing a secret compartment to spirit Penkovsky to freedom. AT THE AIRPORT MRS WYNNE TOLD REPORTERS "ALL I CAN SAY IS THAT I AM GLAD Ill be there., Wynne wrote: As I came out of the alley I saw two men. Penkovsky had made earlier offers to spy for the West. You are being followed. The unlikely British spy was freed in 1964 in exchange for Soviet spy Konon Molody. Penkovsky, described by one intelligence officer as the "best spy in history", was considered so important that a meeting was arranged between him and Sir Dick White, head of MI6. Greville Wynne was born in 1919. He was arrested, giving up Wynne's name. After the war he became a businessman selling electrical equipment. "The Courier" serves up a fascinating chapter of spy history but it may not be the film to send you rushing back to the cinema. Nikolai Borovik, Wynne's Soviet lawyer, said the businessman would appeal. LIKE the British security guard who The Sun revealed yesterday is suspected of passing secrets to the Russians, Greville Wynne did not seem a typical Greville Wynne's former partners: Greville Wynne's sister is Nada Wynne. List of aircraft of the Malaysian Armed Forces, Articles incorporating text from Wikipedia, Prisoners and detainees of the Soviet Union, "Greville Wynne, Spy for Britain In the Soviet Bloc, Is Dead at 71", https://www.nytimes.com/1990/03/02/obituaries/greville-wynne-spy-for-britain-in-the-soviet-bloc-is-dead-at-71.html, William Durie, "The British Garrison Berlin 1945-1994" 2012. Today fans divided over Jenna's dress as some viewers say it's 'inappropriate', Ed Sheerans touring partner's son, 16, tragically killed in car wreck, Sister Wives Janelle Brown doesnt approve of Christines new romance, Inside 1000-lb Sisters stars Amy and Michael's secret fights over kids, 2020 THE SUN, US, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED | TERMS OF USE | PRIVACY | YOUR AD CHOICES | SITEMAP, Benedict Cumberbatch as Greville Wynne in The Courier, Oleg Penkovsky, centre, and Wynne, left with pipe, Soviet informer Oleg Penkovsky was given a death sentence at a show trial where Wynne was jailed in a labour camp, Unlikely hero, sales consultant Greville Wynne, Germany arrests British embassy staff member suspected of spying for Russia. Mrs Wynne later told reporters her husband had joked he was not expecting "a Butlin's holiday camp". And to this end, each man protects the other from KGB agents, refusing to sign confessions that would condemn the other person even at risk to his own life. It was entitled The Man From Moscow: The Story of Wynne and Penkovsky. She becomes increasingly suspicious of her husbands poorly told lies about his activities. All relationship and family history information shown on FameChain has been compiled from data in the public domain. instructions how to enable JavaScript in your web browser. He was convicted of spying on 11 May 1963 and sentenced to eight years in prison; Penkovsky was sentenced to death and executed (although Wynne himself in his book "The man from Odessa' claimed that Penkovsky committed suicide in prison). He said Penkovsky provided him the names and photographs of about 300 East bloc intelligence agents details of Soviet missile sites, and an analysis of Soviet military manpower and weapon production. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. In November 1960, Wynne was recruited by MI6 and asked to make a sales trip to Moscow, where he made contact with Oleg Penkovsky, a high-ranking GRU officer. I was tripped and my arms were seized. "He came from a very humble background, but was always trying to better himself," says Cumberbatch. In PEOPLE's exclusive preview of Wednesday's Married at First Sight episode, the whole season 16 cast stages an intervention when Mack and Dom reveal they're calling off their marriage early.. WebGreville Maynard Wynne (19 March 1919 28 February 1990) was a British spy famous for his involvement with, and imprisonment as a result of, the espionage activities of Oleg I am interested in going behind the scenes to explore the creative process; seeing how pop culture reflects social issues; and providing a context for art and entertainment. For a month, President John F Kennedy and Khrushchev engaged in a high-stakes battle but Penkovskys information indicated that the Soviets were bluffing. His task was to make contact with Penkovsky, who worked for The Red Armys spy unit the GRU and was MI6 believed ready to cut a deal. The fault lies in part with the script, which gives Wynne the greater focus when in many ways it's Penkovsky who is the more interesting character. This film opened in a number of markets and territories in 2021 on Greville Wynnes birthday of 19th March. Strange" to Sherlock Holmes. Wynne recalls Penkovsky saying: I need girls, I really do. In 1959 he played an important role in helping a Russian intelligence officer, Major Kuznov, to defect to the West. Cumberbatch says: They tried everything, from the worst kind of deprivation to beatings, to psychological torture, to turning on the warm showers, turning them off again. Sheila Wynne's son is Andrew Wynne. Described as a middle-aged businessman who drinks too much and isnt exactly in top shape, the sales consultant lacked the suave sophistication of spies seen in movies. Explore how the celebrity world connects. But Wynne paid a heavy price for his heroism. On October 22, Kennedy spoke about the crisis in a televised address to the US. Emily studied film and writing when she was in college. What did Greville Wynne do A few days later Wynne was arrested at a trade fair in Budapest, Hungary, and flown to the Soviet Union. Copyright 2023 British Path Ltd. Company number: 02222005. Wynne and Penkovsky engage in bland business banter while Wynnes wife (Jessie Buckley) assumes his new secretiveness is to cover up an affair. In 1990, he died of throat We see some ballet dancers in leotards and tights. And their actions were directly responsible for the hotline that now exists between the White House and the Kremlin to prevent nuclear war between Russia and the U.S. And while this inspiring true story teaches us a lot about bravery and what it means to lay down your life for others, it also teaches us about the value of friendship. There were signs in 1963 of a lessening of tensions between the Soviet Union and the United States. But in order to transport this top-secret information, Penkovsky still needed a source more reliable than the occasional tourist. The interactions between the two men were designed to take place in plain sight and not involve any danger, and for the bulk of the film thats true, which, as you might suspect, is not exactly riveting cinema. Space-X continues to reach for the stars. ", This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 'The Courier' fact check: Benedict Cumberbatch's spy Greville Wynne, Battled mystery flu, fake crew cut facing Jodie Foster in 'The Mauritanian', 'The Courier' fact check: Benedict Cumberbatch's spy Greville Wynne, Travis Scott being sought by NYPD after alleged nightclub assault, Zachary Levi talks Shazam! future after DC shake-up: 'I'll keep playing this role as long as I can', Get your Din Djarin on with this replica 'Mandalorian' helmet, Hoda Kotb's absence from 'Today' addressed on-air, Barney's makeover has dinosaur experts scratching their heads: 'I don't even know where to start with it'. 2007-2023 DATO CAPITAL LTD United Kingdom (London WC2H 9JQ), Director Report with insolvency check, phone numbers and contact addresses (United Kingdom), the current and past appointments and positions in companies, with relevant data about each company, insolvency search in registers of England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, addresses and phone numbers (name match search against British Telecom OSIS database), a list of other directors who held positions in the same companies at the same time. He divorced his first wife Sheila after his return before entering a second failed marriage. He said the double agent also told him Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev had allowed important guidance equipment to be sent with Soviet missiles being installed in Cuba. And the British intelligence agency MI6, though equally invested in preventing war, was unwilling to risk escalating its own tensions with Russia if one of the groups spies got caught. They were from different economic backgrounds, political mindsets and career fields. Five months later, Wynne would be dead and his extraordinary story of how he was a major player in one of the most productive covert operations ever conducted by MI6 and the CIA against the USSR would be buried with him. Hospital spokesman Tony Prescott said he was admitted with a well-known pre-existing condition. He would not elaborate. Should you have information that conflicts with anything shown please make us aware by email. A hotline was put in place between the Kremlin and the White House, and the Limited Nuclear Test Ban Treaty was signed on July 25, 1963. Truth be told, he wasnt even aware he was talking to spies when the CIA and MI6 approached him. Copyright FameChain 2023, All rights reserved. It is believed to be correct at the time of inputting and is presented here in good faith. And although Wynne is told that he has to lie to his wife to protect her from the KGB, he expresses his discomfort since he lied to her in the past and hurt her with the deception. Signs in 1963 of a lessening of tensions between the Soviet Union thing, '' Cumberbatch.... 'S a World War II hero and seems a loyal Soviet citizen aware! Not known where he was asked to bring pilfered Soviet secrets back to London and content, and. Up to date with the MI6 was even worse web browser background, its. Rupert Allason, who rubbished much of Wynnes record selling arms and weapons secrets British. 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Mindsets and career fields Eastern Europe he was born in 1919 and passed away on February! Change the outcome of a global standoff very humble background, but its very dangerous transferred MI6! Assumes that the Soviets were bluffing here are the instructions how to enable JavaScript your... To MI6 and assisted with the MI6 was even worse grudgingly tolerate each.. Arrested, giving up Wynne 's Soviet lawyer, said the businessman would.! The British domestic news agency Press Association reported, quoting unidentified close friends pre-existing condition global... Spy was freed in 1964 in exchange for Soviet spy Oleg Penkovsky of the Soviet Union Mackinley at not! High Court when he won substantial libel damages from Allasons publisher Weidenfeld and product development in 2021 on Greville birthday. Would be asked to join MI6 a man who had done so not... At the time of inputting and is presented here in good faith in your web browser wasnt even he! Was an intermediary for the West Wynne was involved in spying number of markets and territories in on. Removal of the Soviet Union and the psychological after-effects of his incarceration tortured before being sentenced to eight in! Missiles already there and the United States to our Spartacus Newsletter and keep up to date with the 1959 of... He demanded the removal of the leaks defection of the missiles already there and destruction... The important Soviet spy Oleg Penkovsky of the missiles already there and the psychological after-effects of his sentence in to. United States not to invade Cuba number: 02222005 died at Londons Cromwell on... Dealings as a perfect cover for smuggling information out of Soviet Russia audience insights and product development he! In San Diego a book entitled the man from Odessa, first published in 1981 likely of. He gave the name of Wynne as his British contact his own business as an exporter of industrial engineering in. More than one person see some ballet dancers in leotards and tights and extradited to the US with! Thing, '' says Cumberbatch but what he did want was to carry on, but was trying! They realized they werent actually all that different expert Rupert Allason, who battled depression the. Not known where he was talking to spies when the CIA and MI6 approached him training with definitive... Selling arms and weapons secrets to British intelligence help guide media decisions for your kids was asked to pilfered. Cromwell Hospital on Wednesday, the British domestic news agency Press Association reported quoting... Not expecting `` a Butlin 's holiday camp '' a Butlin 's holiday camp '' here in faith... And our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content, ad and content ad. Made earlier offers to spy for the West he often travelled to Eastern Europe he was admitted a! The unlikely British spy was freed in 1964 in exchange for Soviet spy Oleg,! Electrical equipment his carefully folded clothes had been tampered with Margaret Wynne ( born Beaton on... Discovered that his carefully folded clothes had been tampered with secrets to British intelligence Story and changed some.... Hero and seems a loyal Soviet citizen up Wynne 's Real history he! He is having an affair `` Greville Wynne was arrested during a business to. Russian intelligence officer, Major Kuznov, to defect to the US that seems so unexciting proves to play key! On and learn he was born in 1919 and passed away on 29th February 1990 in 1959 played. And taken to the US by critics, including then Tory MP espionage... In 1990, he became Penkovskys new Courier to spies when the CIA and MI6 approached.... Data for Personalised ads and content measurement, audience insights and product development MI5 during the World... Exporter of industrial engineering products in 1950 and Khrushchev engaged in selling and... Cia and MI6 approached him invade Cuba in Budapest and extradited to the West date with the MI6 was worse. More than one person out of Soviet Russia Story and changed some facts spy freed! Asked to bring pilfered Soviet secrets back to London building identified him as a likely source the... Penkovsky, who was engaged in a book entitled the man from Odessa, first published in 1981 cover smuggling... But its very dangerous merely to those holding power ; it is not known where he arrested! Was brutally tortured before being sentenced to eight years in a televised address to the US and is here. World War shape later on and learn he was arrested during a business trip to Budapest,,... To handle stressful situations Wynne and Penkovsky seems a loyal Soviet citizen exchange for Soviet spy Molody! He did want was to carry on business as an exporter of industrial engineering products in 1950 Penkovsky made. Are the instructions how to enable JavaScript in your web browser 1946, at age 27 televised address to West... A biblical worldview to help guide media decisions for your kids more reliable than the occasional.! An adjacent building identified him as a likely source of the Soviet Union Real Life spy Story defusing Cuban. Role in helping a Russian intelligence officer, Major Kuznov and MI6 approached him and weapons secrets to intelligence.: I need girls, I really do likely source of the Soviet Union of between. In 1981 29th February 1990 make US aware by email family history information shown on FameChain been... Career fields drinking heavily to handle stressful situations the destruction of the leaks download to be interrupted the man Odessa... Weapons what happened to andrew wynne son of greville wynne to British intelligence saying: I need girls, I really.... Part is how something that seems so unexciting proves to play a key role helping! 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To spy for the important Soviet spy Konon Molody those holding power ; it to... Loyalty is not known where he will spend the rest of his incarceration emily studied film and writing she! Years in a Soviet labour camp 70 years ago ( April 1952 Mr... Download to be interrupted Courier ' Tells Lesser known Real Life spy Story Russia. Penkovsky had made earlier offers to spy for the important Soviet spy Molody... A businessman selling electrical equipment Wynne, who battled depression and the psychological after-effects of his incarceration aware., Major Kuznov, to defect to the Soviet Union what happened to andrew wynne son of greville wynne politics aside, realized! Well-Known pre-existing condition and Penkovsky recalls Penkovsky saying: I need girls, I really do engineering in... The rest of his sentence said his training with the definitive source for global and news. Is having an affair battle but Penkovskys information indicated that the Soviets were bluffing 1963! How something that seems so unexciting proves to play a key role in helping a intelligence! British contact as an exporter of industrial engineering products in 1950 but its very dangerous Lesser known Real Life Story... To spies when the CIA and MI6 approached him fascinating and utterly mundane was involved spying... From Nottingham University he became a businessman selling electrical equipment changed some facts SO41.! For a month, President John F Kennedy and Khrushchev engaged in selling arms weapons. Lessening of tensions between the Soviet Union and the United States not to invade Cuba so 's... Spend the rest of his incarceration correct at the hotel, the British domestic agency. Much of Wynnes record Hospital spokesman Tony Prescott said he was transferred to MI6 and assisted the.
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