Spy Wars with Damian Lewis: The Man Who Saved the World (Full Episode)

At a time when the Cold War spying game was in full swing, Oleg Gordievsky was one of the KGB's rising stars...and biggest traitors. For years, he provided top-secret Russian intelligence to the British, but he is best remembered for risking his life in 1983 to pull the world back from the brink of nuclear annihilation. Presented by host Damian Lewis and backed by firsthand accounts by Gordievsky himself, we detail the spy's incredible career as a double agent and his gripping defection out of Russia.
From the Series: Spy Wars with Damian Lewis: The Man Who Saved the World bitly.com/2TrZY70

[@mikeemery6741]

Thank you Oleg Gordievsky, You have made the world a better place with your sacrifices. From my heart Sir!

[@groggg1962peeler]

ya, Russia should also thank him for saving their country...........

[@currentaffairsanddocumenta9663]

They need to make a movie about Oleg Gordievsky. What a story!

[@CBielski87]

leave it to the US run Smithsonian to only give limited access to productions like this online

[@chrissinclair4442]

Stanislav Lunev too

[@namelasname758]

They did it's called spy games. He died

[@davelack553]

@@Lakridza67 I guess you're referring to The Spy and the Traitor by Ben Macintyre. It is excellent.

[@sherryt2711]

@@davelack553 I just finished the book yesterday. Absolutely chilling.

[@davidschmidt6013]

I had NO IDEA Damian Lewis was British. His American accent in Band of Brothers naturally made me think he was American born. Well done, Major Winters!!

[@Lucy-dk5cz]

David Schmidt what Damian Lewis wasn’t in WW2!?!

[@johnilarde8440]

I mean, there are plenty of British Actors that can speak American English in movies and Shows.. like James McCavoy..

[@NigelCopy]

Eton educated as well, you know.

[@karlanthonymargate7362]

@@NigelCopy and Liverpool supporter

[@dantaylor7344]

You'd never make a spy.

[@FredQuijada]

This is, without a doubt, one of the best documentaries I have ever seen on the subject. Gordievsky is a great hero for the cause of freedom and peace, no matter what anyone says. And more importantly, I still can't believe that Damian Lewis has perfected accents as well as he has.

[@babilabub]

Feels like Damien Lewis would change into Nicholas Brody anytime during the narration. Perfect man to narrate this excellent story.

[@statikcitten9]

When I first saw him I was like "OF COURSE they got BRODY to narrate THIS"😆😆

[@david_kariuki]

And they had Kerry drive him through the borders.

[@vomfejones1]

Homeland 😎 sometimes these actors end up taking the characters they depict. One thing i love about this documentary is the thorough research and delivery of events🇿🇼🇿🇼🇿🇼

[@toms621]

If you haven't seen it watch 'A Spy Amongst Friends'.

[@CharlesMartel676]

Damian Lewis is an absolutely amazing actor, just unbelievable.

[@dttra566]

They couldn't have picked a better person to narrate the story.

[@stevesandford1437]

While this documentary outlines the very basics of the case, the real story and its details are fascinating. Ben Macintyre's book, 'The Spy And The Traitor' tells the full story and reads like a fictional spy-thriller! (Particularly the circumstances of his escape/extraction from the USSR to Finland, which was carried out not by MI6/SIS operatives but rather by ordinary British diplomats and their wives. And a baby!!!) Of course, as readers, we know that Oleg Gordievsky got out, however, reading the book, the reader says, "This is NEVER going to work!!!" xx SF

[@serpentines6356]

Yeah, after watching this I figured just hiding in the trunk was pretty lame, and obviously so. I read how they really hid him. Very clever.

[@dttra566]

I was thinking to myself how could MI6 operatives be driving in diplomatic cars. That is in violation of diplomatic protocols. Ordinary British diplomats? Wow!

[@dttra566]

@@serpentines6356 I need to buy that book.

[@danblanchard1858]

spy-thriller yes and teaches us so much ,as well along the way. Great read!

[@davidhewson8605]

This man put his principals above all else !. His family joined him later. What was he feeling in car boot to Finland ?. Will get book. Thanks all. Dave.

[@funDAYsmiling]

I love Damian Lewis! The guy has a great voice (really), and I’m sure this is why he’s made the show “Billions” so good.

[@JD-cn5yo]

He is also in the war show “Band of brothers,” where he played Majors Winters from the 101st us airborne division. It’s a true story too!

[@kimiwearsspectacles]

It's not the same without him

[@marksommerfeld1445]

Thank you VERY much sir. I was on active duty in the US armed forces during this, I am just one of the many lives you've saved. Stay safe

[@craigmcdaniel5733]

Mark Sommerfeld I, too, benefitted. Was a USAF officer during this time and deployed to Europe and Middle East.

[@johnmalone5693]

I was a civilian, and I am also most grateful to you Mr Gordievsky. Thanks to you, myself and many billions of others had the chance to raise families rather than scrabble for scraps in a radioactive wasteland. Stay safe Sir.

[@firstlastyoutube]

I was a street dog, thank you Mr. Gordievsky

[@Viper-py4pg]

Thank you.

[@Iuttamkamboj]

@@firstlastyoutube you still are

[@maximiliankolbe_NIN]

What a great time to be a spy. The Cold War could produce endless documentaries, movies and books. Fascinating time in our world history.

[@mwbright]

I would never sell out my country, unless I was offered just one hour with my long passed Doberman Pinscher. Then I'd sell everything, even if it made us lose a World War. I wouldn't hesitate.

[@raulgil7389]

Ironically yes Fear of all fears

[@raulgil7389]

Is Reencounter a good idea ?

[@TheRisskee]

As an American, I'm deeply ashamed at my country's annoying tendency to not leave well enough alone. I remember seeing another documentary about Ames, the American KGB turncoat and as soon as they mentioned him sussing out who the possible KGB source of MI6, it sent a shiver down my spine because I knew it would be bad. My country could've gotten this heroic man killed. And I'm sure, if president Reagan would have found out, it would have made him sick. I hope this man knows we greatly appreciate him and his selflessness. ❤

[@Princeduclare]

Thank you very much for uploading the full episode.

[@myriaddsystems]

What an unbelievably brave man, saved the entire world!

[@jacksimpson-rogers1069]

This is one of three Russians who prevented the failure of the anti-war scheme called MAD. The others were Stanislav Petrov and Vasili Arkhipov.

[@nickdanger4795]

There was a mention of one other time nuclear war was averted in this film. Cuban missile crisis. A Soviet sub was spotted by our planes and ships and was told to surface and warned with depth charges. They had been out of touch and thought armeggedon had started and were going to launch before they were destroyed. 3keys to launch and 2 were in their slots with the captain demanding the 3rd. It was a political officer who held it and refused the captain. They surfaced to find the crisis was over and returned home without telling us until the Soviet collapse. The man was admonished and treated like a pariah. Died almost unknown. The Soviet Union was an an evil empire. Respect to Mr. Gorbiovsky and the unsung hero. Add them to Mankind's Hall of Fame.

[@SECRETORDEROFTHEKNIGHTSTEMPLAR]

Exactly

[@serpentines6356]

I recently read about him. Thank God, goodness, his instincts, his logic, his amazing gutsy resolve, all of it. Vasily Aleksandrovich Arkhipov.

[@reinadegrillos]

Yes, and USA is the epitome of good and kindness, lol. The only country in the world that attacked cities with nuclear bombs.

[@nickdanger4795]

@@reinadegrillos no Hiroshima if no pearl harbor first. We're no angels, but USSR was in a whole different level of wrong. Russia still exhibits some of the traits today. If we were going to destroy them, like they professed, their collapse was the golden opportunity. We didn't, but they still act like it's our goal.

[@reinadegrillos]

@@nickdanger4795 There is no country you have not invaded or meddled in it's politics, you are hated all over the world.

[@ShoelessNomadThailand]

Mr Lewis one of the world's finest actors. Love him

[@mikemontgomery2654]

I'm still amazed at the stories that happened under people's noses during the Cold War. Being born in the early 80's, I could never have imagined just how much of a tumultuous time I was living through.

[@KA-ChocolateGravy]

We absolutely LOVE this series! Please keep them coming!

[@astromikael]

Great vid. My grandfather worked in Danish intelligence during the 60's, 70's, 80's. He never talked about his work but I do know that he specialized in Soviet matters - so he probably at least knew of this business and maybe more than that.

[@annascott3542]

Very cool.

[@friendlychemist5587]

Your grandfather might be my grandfather colleague in those days. He also worked with Danish intell agency... Ask your grandfather did he know or remember Lukas Mikkel. My grandfather now is nearly in his 80's i guess...

[@wandakowalski7063]

If you want a more accurate story of Gordievsky, read Ben MacIntyre's The Spy and the Traitor. It is like reading a thriller and provides a more accurate description of the the man and how he gave up a lifetime in the KGB to work for the British.

[@dakotachannel8142]

I miss his show Life. One of the best shows ever.

[@andromaxbse6459]

What was that?

[@chrissinclair4442]

Best work he has done or show written/plotted/directed.

[@beck3740]

Damian's voice feels so peaceful to hear.

[@deifor]

I just finished the book, The Spy and the Traitor. Very good, reads like a novel. I was a kid in 1985 and I was in Moscow at that time because my father was one of those youths who gathered for the 12 Democratic Youth Festival or something like that. I got goosebumps when I read it.

[@bundasnow6965]

i will buy this book. Are google play book have this book yet?

[@deifor]

@@bundasnow6965 i got it on Amazon

[@bundasnow6965]

@@deifor thankyouuu

[@liubolun]

“You salute the rank, not the man” “You speak the language, not the accent”

[@davecom3]

That scene was so satisfying. Sobel put in his place by the better man.

[@GOLEG11]

Where’s that from?

[@liubolun]

@@GOLEG11 Band of Brothers, S1E10

[@heidimiller642]

This wouldn't matter if it weren't for the double agents. Some men have done nothing to deserve their rank. A good spy might know that. He should know it. That's his job. The accent influences the language to the point that one word sounds totally different under a regional accent. With so much tension in the air, this stuff matters.

[@liubolun]

@@heidimiller642 It was a reference from the HBO series "Band of Brothers".

[@KeylargoVideo]

I would watch Damian Lewis mow a lawn. Love his acting.

[@erfanrahmani]

Thanks for the upload, made me so happy to watch it during quarantine

[@swarajnikale8689]

What a life this man has lived. The story is so fascinating.

[@AECRADIO1]

I still enjoy spy novels, 40 years after I left Germany, in 1981.

[@chrissinclair4442]

Numbers post?

[@bullwinklejmoos]

Except this isn’t a spy novel, it’s the real McCoy.

[@chrissinclair4442]

@@bullwinklejmoos we'll never know the truth, same thing. For all we know supposed apprehended spys where just making problems for people like Robert Maxwell, Leslie Wexner, Jeffrey Epstein, Ghislaine Maxwell, Leon Black, The Rothschild Family (Also first citizens of Terra Mar), Victoria's Secret, PINK, Harvard, Apollo Global Management, Terra Mar, Mossad, CIA, British Foreign Office Of The Crown...and the list goes on and on.

[@gabrielkwiecinskiantunes8950]

This series is dope. I had to binge the whole thing.

[@manishagangawala3921]

Excellent presentation of a real life defection. A close British acquaintance was operating in Germany during this period, it is therefore reliving the experience with all the thrills & apprehension of things going wrong.

[@majr72]

About time your channel puts out an entire episode. Keep doing it.

[@mongieboy]

I love the dramatic way Damian Lewis was looking through miniature film and slapping papers on the desk! Like he's scanning top-secret material. And the single filing cabinet of course! 😂

[@javlonjuraev6328]

"They thought we were preparing for war" - yes, usually when we see army rehearsing war games under Regan's command, we immediately suspect that you are getting prepared for a picnic 😂

[@emmazhang9168]

picnic not picknick！

[@javlonjuraev6328]

@@emmazhang9168 edited. English is not my native language.

[@LJ-ht4zs]

Reagan's rhetoric could have brought us all death. He forgot that being US President wasn't one of his B movies.

[@renatacantore-gross8842]

Thank you Oleg for your sacrifices that helped to save democracy.

[@OsmanK699]

And civilization too

[@carbinephantom]

Good video! Really appreciated uploading the full episode.

[@robertbohnaker9898]

Great story of conviction,transformation, and yes redemption. Awakening of a man’s soul and his yearning for Freedom . Bravo 👏🏻.

[@jakedunnegan]

Great true story! And Damian Lewis excels once again ~

[@kimberlyperrotis8962]

I’m not very interested in spy stories, even true ones like this, but I’ll watch anything with Damien Lewis.

[@kenboulder212]

You should be interested. But probably you're a millennial.

[@Flamester7TV]

I just find it amazing at the fact that the man tasked with finding the source of the British informative was a KGB spy, almost as if this was straight out of a movie's storyline. When they first showed his picture I thought, something is up with this guy.

[@carolsimon9203]

One of the greatest ironies of all time from which neither British intelligence service really ever recovered from. Some innocent higher ups never shook the strain and stain of eventually being pulled in for interviews.

[@ross-lt4mc]

Don’t every try to tell me what to do

[@Macolicious88]

LOVE this show and especially Damien Lewis

[@staceykelley1202]

This is so well done. Thank you.

[@KiwiTheNerd]

OMG, this is awesome.. thank you!

[@SevenDeMagnus]

Thanks for saving the world sir Oleg. God bless.

[@julienelson421]

Always glad to watch anything with Damien Lewis in it. This was very good!

[@myriaddsystems]

Unbelievable courage of this man.

[@MakerInMotion]

When you see actors you know speaking in their normal voice, half of them turn out to be from the UK.

[@mark-shane]

British accent is normal ! Easy to fake American accent as Damien does in Billions

[@katschrodinger954]

That was a shock to hear his accent. I didn't know he was from the UK.

[@vittoriacolona]

Hollywood is raiding the UK and Australia for actors and actresses. Because they come across as more mature, calm and able to handle themselves and essentially behave like fully loaded adults. They find that Americans (and Canadians too) come across like overgrown teenagers. And FYI I live in Canada, I see the difference.

[@MakerInMotion]

@@vittoriacolona I saw video of Australians getting in fistfights at the supermarket over toilet paper.

[@DimBeam1]

Yeah he's English. Although he normally doesnt talk so posh

[@robertschweppie5256]

I GREATLY ADMIRE YOU. THE MAN THAT SAVED THE WORLD . YOU SAVED MILLIONS OF PEOPLES LIVES. MR OLEG GORDIEVSKY I SALUTE YOU.

[@davidmativo9946]

One of the very best documentaries on espionage I have found on YT. You may be tempted to think it's fiction, a true-life thriller!

[@heidimiller642]

This explains everything that happened in my life. Thank you for making this video.

[@michaelaldan4354]

amazing....the courage of one man is the salvation of many

[@MuhammadAli-iw9jz]

This was better than most espionage movies and novels!

[@Oliver-tm7jm]

The audiobook is 100x better. This only scratches the surface of the storey

[@drake71000]

@@Oliver-tm7jm Where can I get the audiobook?

[@matthijs3134]

Surely there is a movie about this story? What a real life hero

[@michaelliguori856]

Finally a full episode

[@Ella-gn4fv]

This is very informative.. Interesting to learn what transpired in other parts of the world that contributed so much to what we are today. Thank you!👍

[@trailrunner9113]

As good as this story is, Ben Macintyre's book, The Spy and the Traitor, is even better. Phenomenally researched and written. Hollywood could not have told a better story.

[@chrismac2234]

Yes. Ben is the only person who has done the research.

[@misteryummyearth1055]

A mixture of trust , loyalty and bravery in a bizarre twist of sides

[@hectorbrown656]

Thank you very much for this incredible documentary about a brave man . Damien Lewis narration was perfect.

[@NorwayT]

Great dramatization of one of the most intriguing and important spy stories of the Cold War. But there is so much to this case. A friend of mine is a retired intel officer who by chance became one of Oleg Gordievsky's handlers. There is extremely much more to this story than what is compressed into these meager 44 minutes.

[@serpentines6356]

Well, of course there is so much more to the story! That's the way stories go!

[@NorwayT]

@Yuri Ashol I believe there is a book out about his defection. You should look it up. Gordievsky was a big deal at the time, so he is mentioned in numerous books. But I'm not going to publicize private conversations on the Internet between me and my friends. My only point is that, if you search around a bit, I am sure you can find some accounts of one of the most crazy escapes from the Soviet Union ever. It was an escape way beyond anything you'll see in any BS movie out of Hollywood.

[@NorwayT]

@@serpentines6356 if you look up a reply I just gave in this thread, you'll see what I meant.

[@JTD472]

This is hardly a “dramatization”. Anyway would love to hear more. I’ll look for your comment. Thanks

[@eputinngr8220]

Damian Lewis~ Bobby Axelrod(From Billions) Clicked the documentary the moment I saw his photo... Great work Smithsonian Channel!

[@robertdunphy8036]

So glad i was directed this way.powerful doc.brilliant

[@ryanB74]

1983....I was 10, playing all day in that summer, with no worries at the time.. just thanks

[@toshitchoudhary9773]

Damian voice is so peaceful to hear

[@Btvstudio]

Gotta love actors who can learn many accents, Damian speaks great American English on Billions, it's hard to believe that he's just acting, much respect.

[@mohammadmostafaii7535]

Very interesting documentary, I enjoyed it. A real hero to the free world.

[@marcostrander9518]

Terrific video! I hope my students can learn a good deal from this true spy documentary!

[@winniekendi800]

I love you Damien. You got me hooked on Homeland...your British accent is everything and more❤

[@petersicheri9670]

Real history..yup what I needed

[@lizannewhitlow1085]

Fascinating. Thank you.

[@thomas-sinkala]

Damian Lewis is just pleasing to look at.

[@RasMajnouni]

I want to be his biological Mother.

[@ReveredDead]

My God I need to make a movie based off of this guy.

[@berdugong-druglordmanyakis1608]

Marvelous storytelling!!! Please produce more interesting and heart pounding spy stories like this smithsonian.. i love your channel. I immediately hit ‘subscribe’ after watching this. More power to you guys.. Keep it up!

[@Kunda.Create]

same here!!

[@olabodeadeleye4771]

Damian Lewis is a very brilliant actor I love so much. I love his exploits in billions and homeland. I cried the day he was hanged In homeland despite his patriotism.

[@Falcon7001]

This was a great series Smithsonian. DO MORE!

[@valgehiir]

It was very strange that car with ywo UK diplomats was able to cross Soviet Finnish border, even though Finland was not 'proper' West, and did have silent agreement with Kremlin to assist in return of Soviet defectors. The extraction of Gordievsky was probably more complex than we are told here. The book 'Spy And Traitor' by Ben Mcintyre about life of Gorievsky does not say more than we see here. Gordievsky is true hero!

[@serpentines6356]

Yeah.I wonder that too. Maybe a whole lot of money passed around?

[@andykerr3803]

​@@serpentines6356 Look at Finland today...

[@jumahamis227]

Playing call of duty cold wars now, some plots are truly inspired by these heroic figures.

[@CareelBay]

I absolutely LOVE the pre agreed sign he’d got to freedom. No words - just hearing the first strains of “Finlandia” ❤

[@elbi5333]

Great documentary and masterly narrated by Damian!

[@EBAYvillager]

This shows what Citizen patriots are capable of. God bless all of you!!!

[@vxrdrummer]

All the best spies are called Oleg! The other Oleg provided mega amounts of info to the West on the Nuclear forces and policies of the USSR. These guys are heroes.

[@skymaster4743]

Oleg Penkovsky Oleg Gordievsky Oleg Kalugin Turns out the Olegs make good spies and defectors. Lol

[@christinasornbutnark1208]

I ❤️❤️❤️ this dude in Billions! Which brought me to this amazing story that I may have otherwise missed. So glad I did not. Thank you.

[@bhusangurung1961]

Started watching this by seeing Damian Lewis in the title... Nice to see u again Major Winters

[@SergioDiFiore_0]

Awesome! Really good! We own our peace to unknown men like him...

[@Emillionaer]

All the stories about the sovjet's plans on occupying Denmark during the Cold War are quite interesting. Was close to becoming the playground for WW3.

[@mikehendershot9926]

This was the Best Doc I've ever seen !!!

[@xdt4226]

Thank you,Sir!🙏

[@MsPea]

It's puzzling that Gordievsky didn't just defect while he was in London, rather than return to the Soviet Union when he had a pretty good idea the KGB was on to him. Instead he had to go through the whole exfiltration process, which was so dangerous for everybody involved..

[@risabh2519]

The entire episode can be read in a famous book *spy and the traitor* by MacIntyre. *5 stars* best thriller ever. Do read Edit : Yes man it is the best, this video is just a very small part of this 10 year documentary

[@hscollier]

Avi rish Based on your recommendation I read other reviews on this book. John Le Carré said it’s the best spy book he ever read! Now I’m starting to read it. Thank you!

[@valgehiir]

Yep, it is basically this book, watered down. I recommend the book to everybody, Gordievsky is a hero, and we should never forget.

[@risabh2519]

@@hscollier Oh i read it for free, i am from 3rd world you know !

[@Duncan_Campbell]

I came here to recommend that book as well.

[@johnbaugh2437]

Excellent book! All of Macintyre’s books are great.

[@jimminniehan2548]

Well done, thank you

[@iseeyou9347]

watching this after I have read the book, there are huge amounts of details that was not mentioned here which makes the story so much exciting

[@readmails3033]

One nation's traitor and a Hero to the entire human race.

[@etlandbicprendi5282]

The book about Gordievski by Ben Macintyre remains the best one I have ever read so far and likely in the future

[@Military101]

Agent zig zag is amazing aswell

[@etlandbicprendi5282]

@@Military101 agreed!

[@WinterConstant]

Excellent, thank you for sharing.

[@chiefersutherland5609]

Umm yes please! Thank you so much for uploading these, Smithsonian!!! ❤

[@rusgc9210]

Great, been going crazy trying to find a way to watch this after seeing the review in the WSJ on Friday!!

[@2b2kthelastorder_a49]

This is soo epic.... well done 👍👍👍👍

[@Bootmahoy88]

Wonderfully presented chronicle of a very complex time.

[@tronghungdao251]

STRENGTH OF THE HEART & LOVE FOR FREEDOM NO ONE CAN 'T STOP IT 👌👍👏

[@NopWorks]

Thanks for uploading full episode. Please keep in mind that I'd pay for that Smithsonian Channel Plus subscription if it was available internationally.

[@Journeyjunckies]

Great stuff Damian you did an incredible job on the voice over. Your such a brilliant actor to. You did crazy justice to your role in Homeland, Billions and so many other titles. Much much love

[@MrPotsy81]

"Band of Brothers". 🙏 What a story! And what an ensemble cast. Great job!

[@elenivargis126]

one of *the best* spy stories ever!!

[@jstone247]

I just adore Damien Lewis.