Realistic Spy Thrillers: Movies Praised by the CIA for Accuracy
There are many spy movies that portray the CIA well, but some of the most notable include:
- “Three Days of the Condor” (1975) — This film stars Robert Redford as a CIA researcher who uncovers a government conspiracy while on the run from assassins.
2. “The Spy Who Loved Me” (1977) — This James Bond film features a villainous CIA agent who teams up with a Soviet agent to steal nuclear submarines.
3. “Syriana” (2005) — This film stars George Clooney as a CIA agent investigating corruption in the oil industry.
4. “Argo” (2012) — This film is based on the true story of a CIA operation to rescue American hostages in Iran in 1980, and stars Ben Affleck as the CIA agent in charge of the mission.
5. “Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit” (2014) — This film stars Chris Pine as Jack Ryan, a CIA analyst who uncovers a terrorist plot to destroy the US economy.
6. “Bridge of Spies” (2015) — This film stars Tom Hanks as a lawyer who is recruited by the CIA to negotiate the release of a captured American pilot during the Cold War.
These are just a few examples, and as we all now, there are many more movies which are based on the CIA and their operations. Personally, I really enjoyed watching “Three Days of the Condor” with Robert Redford.
Interestingly, through the Association of Former Intelligence Officers (AFIO), I attended a few seminars where CIA operatives talked about the spy thriller movies they enjoyed. Although the CIA doesn’t publicly praise specific spy movies, there have been exceptions. Well-known CIA officials have commented on particular movies, publicly.
Yes, some movies based on true CIA operations have been praised by former CIA officials for their accuracy and attention to detail. For example, “Argo” which is based on the true story of a CIA operation to rescue American hostages in Iran in 1980, was praised by the former CIA operative Tony Mendez who was in charge of that operation, for its accuracy in depicting the events of the mission. I met Tony in 2009 at an AFIO luncheon in Cleveland. He explained, for two hours, the complete Operation Argo plan to rescue the diplomats and exfiltrate them out of Iran. RIP, Tony: Parkinson’s Disease took his life several years ago.
Similarly, the movie “Zero Dark Thirty” which is based on the hunt for Osama bin Laden, was praised by former CIA Director Leon Panetta for its realistic portrayal of the intelligence gathering and analysis that led to the operation.
Robert Morton is a member of the Association of Former Intelligence Officers (AFIO) and enjoys writing about the U.S. Intelligence Community. He authors the Corey Pearson- CIA Spymaster series. Check out his latest spy thrillers: MISSION OF VENGEANCE.