Codename: Kyril – The Complete Series (1987/Spy TV Mini-Series/Network U.K./PAL Region 2 DVD Import)

 

Picture: C     Sound: C+     Extras: C-     Episodes: C+

 

 

PLEASE NOTE: This DVD can only be operated on machines capable of playing back DVDs that can handle Region Two/2 PAL format software and can be only be ordered from our friends at Network U.K. at the website address provided at the end of the review.

 

 

Hoping to be another great spy mini-series, Codename: Kyril (1987) has an impressive all-star cast in a story about betrayal, sleeper agents, moles and betrayal in Cold War.  Little did anyone know that the war was going to end in a few years, but actor turned director Ian Sharp (The Professionals) gave us a sometimes interesting tale of the KGB trying to find a traitor deep inside their ranks and use their man in MI-6 (Edward Woodward in a great play against his Callan and Equalizer roles).

 

The writing and storyline are laid-out well, yet I never found this too memorable and despite the great cast of actors that also include Joss Ackland (K-19: The Widowmaker), Peter Vaughn (Straw Dogs), Denholm Elliott (Alfie), Espen Skjonberg, Hugh Frazer (The Duelists) and Richard E. Grant (Withnail & I, Color Me Kubrick), John Hopkins’ teleplay of the John Trenhaile novel is uneven, sometimes drawn out and sometimes simply does not hold together.  At least this is the two-part, 230 minutes version and not the 90 minutes butchery of a TV movie that is much worse and is not included.  An interesting curio finally on DVD, Codename: Kyril will make diehard fans of the genre happy.

 

The 1.33 X 1 image is filmed, very likely in shot in 35mm color film, but has detail issues and is color-dull throughout.  Where are the original film masters?  The Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono is a little better, but can show its age and be a little hot at the edges.  Extras include stills that sometimes show how good the color was.

 

 

As noted above, you can order this DVD import exclusively from Network U.K. at:

 

http://www.networkdvd.net/

 

or

 

www.networkdvd.co.uk

 

 

-   Nicholas Sheffo