Like any normal teenager, I have a passion for British mini-series period pieces. So when series three of Downton Abbey ended this January, I was left, like I’m sure many others were, with somewhat of a gap to fill.
Spies of Warsaw, a two-part mini-series on BBC America, is not as engaging as one would hope a pre-World War II espionage feature would be, but is a beautifully-filmed and enjoyably brooding remedy to such a need.
Roughly two hours long, the first episode premiered on April 3. Based on Alan Furst’s 2008 novel, Spies of Warsaw follows the story of French colonel and spy Jean-Francois Mercier during the years leading up to WWII in Europe. Mercier is played by British actor David Tennant, known best for his previous work as the 10th Doctor on BBC’s Doctor Who.
Warsaw’s plot revolves around Mercier’s political and personal affairs – more specifically, those with the actions of German soldiers, and his relationship with Anna Skarbek (Janet Montgomery), a French lawyer for the League of Nations.
Warsaw is an unrushed thriller, carefully plotting out the situations of unrest and romance. It’s more captivating to observe than to watch, however. The framing of shots of forests shrouded in mystery, the dirty street shots of Poland, classic old cars rambling down unpaved roads, and lavish parties are a treat to take in. Additionally, the costumes are impeccable – from the high to the low of 1937 society, everything from the military uniforms to the ball gowns are beautiful.
The suspenseful espionage scenes are very entertaining – in one instance, Mercier and his colleagues are seen crawling under barbed wire in a dark forest, trying to cover tank traps while being chased by soldiers and dogs. Afterwards, Mercier dons a tuxedo to attend Skarbek’s party, saying that he was busy with “paperwork – reams of it,” with a smirk reminiscent of Craig’s James Bond.
A particularly well-done scene is when Mercier walks throughout the sunlight-dappled Black Forest, armed with a pair of binoculars. While spying on a German base preparing tanks and weaponry, Mercier is discovered by a German soldier. His measly excuse of birdwatching is not convincing, and he is left with no other choice but to stab the young soldier and escape, later showing his camera film to the French Military intelligence. It’s a quiet victory, not celebrated or dwelled upon, but memorable nonetheless.
However, the pace of Warsaw is very slow. The hushed dialogue and assortment of soft-spoken European accents make the storylines difficult to follow, and clocking in at two hours per installment, it’s easy to lose attention.
I found the music of Warsaw, however, to be very interesting. At times it is eerie and foreboding, at others it is a frenetic, modern jazz score — which, although anachronistic, is rather fitting during the fistfights and chase scenes.
Warsaw is also more risqué than other programs on the BBC – Mercier and Skarbek’s love affair doesn’t leave much to the imagination. However, much like my overall response to the show, the meaning and substance behind their relationship is difficult to understand, and is it easier to sit back and merely watch.
Spies of Warsaw aired on April 3 at 9 p.m. EST. The second installment will air on April 10.
