The Courier: The True Story of Greville Wynne and Oleg Penkovsky

You’re invited to attend a complimentary advance virtual screening of The Courier! The true-life spy thriller is the story of an unassuming British businessman Greville Wynne, played by Benedict Cumberbatch, who is recruited into one of the greatest international conflicts in history. At the behest of the UK’s MI-6 and the CIA, he forms a covert, dangerous partnership with Soviet officer Oleg Penkovsky in an effort to provide crucial intelligence that helps prevent a nuclear confrontation and defuse the Cuban Missile Crisis. 

Registered guests will receive a personal link to view the film (beginning Friday, April 9) in advance of a special Live Virtual Spies & Spymasters Happy Hour + Q&A on Wednesday, April 14; 5 p.m. ET.

Join us for a conversation about the new film with director, Dominic Cooke, who became passionate about the little known story of Wynne and his intense and intriguing Cold War connection with Penkovsky, “the spy who saved the world.” He’ll be joined by Spy Museum Historian and Curator, Dr. Andrew Hammond who will give a brief overview of the true spy story behind the movie and share artifacts from the Spy Museum related to the case. Former CIA chief of disguise, Jonna Mendez will describe how the fallout from the Penkovsky case shaped the way the CIA operated in Moscow—the subject of her book The Moscow Rules. 

You’re welcome to ask questions after the talk – whether they relate to the film or the facts!

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To get us in the right frame of mind, bartender Taha Ismail from the Round Robin Bar at the Willard InterContinental Hotel will be shaking up a cocktail fit for 1960s reveling businessmen and Soviet officials—who might have downed such a drink at the venerable bar. (Recipe below) 

Drink: The Red Scare
1 sugar cube Dash of Peychaud's Bitters
.5 oz rum
.5 oz lemon or pineapple juice
.5 oz port wine
.5 oz pomegranate juice (or cranberry juice)

In a wine glass, add a cube of sugar and a dash of Peychaud's Bitters. In a mixing glass, over ice, combine the rest of the ingredients. Mix well. Pour into the wine glass. Garnish with a twist of a lemon. Enjoy! You’re welcome to ask questions after the talk – whether they relate to the film or the facts!

Enjoy!