05 Nov The Iron Curtain
(1948) After coming to work at the Soviet Embassy in Ottawa during WWII a decoding expert makes the decision to defect to Canada. The film is based on the true story of Igor Gouzenko who in September of 1945 walked out of the Embassy secreting 109 documents and set off a firestorm, exposing an intricate spy network.
It wasn’t easy for Gouzenko to find someone who would take him seriously. After all, the Soviet Union was our “ally.” After the trial (both in the movie and in real life) which convicted 18, the Gouzenkos got new identities and were given protection. They lived near Toronto and raised eight children.
In later years, Gouzenko occasionally appeared on TV disguised with a white hood. He died in 1982.
This movie was fascinating to watch. It followed the facts fairly closely. Two of my favorites, Dana Andrews and Gene Tierney played Comrade and Mrs. Gouzenko.
Soviet sympathizers staged disruptions and protests while the film was being shot on location in Ottawa.
It has been said that this was the beginning of the Cold War.
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