A self shooting observational documentary producer/director making engaging, thought-provoking films about real people, often filming over extended timeframes.

Cold War Spies : Facts

Days that Shook the World II: Cold War Spies “Gary Powers and the Rudolf Abel Spy Swap”

Duration
60'
Genre
Drama Documentary
My Role
Writer
Producer
Director
Executive Producer
Chris Kelly
Production Company
Lion Television
Commissioner
BBC Two Network
Channel
BBC 2
History Channel
First UK Transmission dates
10.30pm, 13th Dec. 2004
BBC4
7pm, 14th Dec. 2004
BBC Two Network
(Repeated both UK and
internationally,
as well as on DVD)
Year
2004
Format
Digi Beta

Fact 1: In the first episode where Gary Powers is shot down over Russia our reconstruction features a Russian actor whose grandfather was in the very missile battalion (District HQ 1st Missile Battery Command Sverdlovsk Region) that shot down the real Gary Powers some forty years before!

Fact 2: Our filming permit to shut down Berlin’s famous Glienicker Bridge where Powers and Abels were swapped was refused. In hunting for the nearest identical bridge we found one, five miles away. The only problem was that whereas the real bridge was over a beautiful and quiet river, our bridge was in the heart of the city over the main train interchange.

Fact 3: Our Gary Powers, actor James Tovell, was violently ill throughout filming. In a last meal sequence (the night before his release) his Russian captors serve up their best local, and highly pungent, delicacies. James had a bucket beside him at all times just out of shot.

Fact 4: Five days before departing for Berlin, director Stephen Bennett’s first baby was born, leaving an unhappy new mum alone to face the music.