The Gentleman Spy - Moscow's Man Inside MI6 | True Life Spy Stories

George Blake was the embodiment of the quintessential British gentleman. Charismatic, intelligent, and radiating charm, he was, to MI6, the very model of an intelligence officer.
However, beneath this polished exterior lay a mastermind of deception. Enthralled by the promise of a Communist utopia and disillusioned by NATO military tactics during the Korean War, Blake turned his back on his homeland, betraying national secrets and fellow agents to the Soviets during the tense 1950s era of the Cold War.
Unlike many of those whom he betrayed, Blake went on to enjoy a long life in Moscow, courtesy of the Kremlin. With decades to ponder his life’s choices, he harboured no regrets. To the very end, he remained a contented spy, his conscience unburdened, believing that in the world of espionage, no one is truly innocent.
If you would like to support my channel please consider buying me a coffee! ☕ bmc.link/philipthompson
#philipthompson #truespystories

[@PhilipThompson]

As a few viewers have pointed out, I erroneously referred to the B-17 whereas I should have spoken of the B-29 in relation to the carpet bombing during the Korean War. Apologies.

[@millonthefloss]

Try fŕfffyĝggĝ

[@F_Tim1961]

you also stated at one point that Blake was interred which means he had to have died at that time. you mean interned. Big difference. TE Fidler

[@Mendelmandela]

Kindly keep this narrator for future productions .. additionally create key dramatic moments in story lines

[@sergiomt48]

No don’t do that keep it as is

[@DrMouthful]

Thats aight you dont gotta worry about mistakes like that, learning is the best bruh

[@if6was929]

YT content providers take note, this is how its done, no blaring music or unnecessary sound effects. Expertly narrated, this is a well written, informative and engrossing documentary! Additionally, there's no need to beg for likes and subs, viewers will want more when the content is good! Kudos, Mr. Thompson!

[@ykjo5613]

I couldn't have said it better myself! 🎉

[@armandopinedamd2869]

Excellent presentation. But for me he was a traitor. If he really was disgusted for his government he could do something. Anyway at that time a lot of Jewish descent people were fond of the Soviet Union due to the Russian Progroms. They did a blind eye of all the atrocities of Lemon, Stalin etc it was a sentiment of vengeance, idealization and justification for murder. Blake new of the connection of Stalin, Mao and North Korea. No excuses

[@ykjo5613]

​@@armandopinedamd2869Russia still mistreats and enslaves North Koreans

[@joevette6290]

I love spy documentaries but this one is the motherlode of them all !! No distracting background annoying music jut the hard facts and with precision reporting!!!!

[@claudettedelphis6476]

Totally agree with you. Frederick Forsyth is a very favourite of mine as well as John Le Carre.

[@Microwavable]

Loved it. I especially like the fact you don't use blaring music, sound effects, or anything unnecessary in the audio department. So many good shows or movies have been made unwatchable by this.

[@mike62mcmanus]

They need some Gangster Rap music.

[@northerngirl4666]

Oh, fully agree. Too many bloggers appear to be wanna be Hollywood blockbuster directors. All that noise cheapens the history.

[@hello-rq8kf]

agreed, i love watching these videos while practicing my instrument so having no background music makes that a lot easier

[@georgschenkfilm]

So true

[@ECAConcepts]

Even some of the good ones like Mark Felton will throw in some random shocking noises at times which will make me shit my pants at 2 AM.

[@goingoutonmyshield2811]

This was absolutely the best KZbinumentary Ive ever seen on G.Blake

[@catalinnicoara]

Excellent job. Finally a professional approach on constructing a documentary. My friend.. you're one to follow.

[@de1018]

Excellent work! Straight up, no bs, no filler, no fluff! Thank you for this!!!

[@Rhombohedral]

As a Dutch living in Rotterdam, I extra thank you for this episode and your wonderful way of presenting this history👍

[@claudettedelphis6476]

The Dutch are my very fabourite people. The home of Rembrandt, Vermeer and Van Gogh to name a few. The Rijksmuseum is beyond splendid.

[@Rhombohedral]

@@claudettedelphis6476 🥰😘

[@alex-E7WHU]

Send poffertjes plz..🤩

[@Rhombohedral]

@@alex-E7WHU I'll ask Poffertjessalon Seth to send you a triple helping with butter and powdered sugar straight away !

[@heli-crewhgs5285]

The narrator’s voice is just right for this type of production.

[@matta5749]

it's AI. I very much prefer a human voice

[@doreekaplan2589]

Egyptian, Jewish, Dutch, British, Calvinist.

[@NobregaAlberto]

And finally Communist.

[@Nashvillain10SE]

,,,communist.

[@kaloyannikolov406]

Why isn’t there a movie about this guy ?!? Talk about a fascinating life…

[@unionkabyle9306]

Hollywood just for "good" Spoon!

[@mikepike7270]

It would be seen as communist propaganda

[@Bootmahoy88]

Indeed. My feeling as well.

[@user-xd1wc6un2k]

There's his good book.

[@claudettedelphis6476]

Totally agree with you.

[@tkhiem]

I can't get enough of your channel! Your content is truly top-notch. Your captivating voice, with its soothing quality, makes it a joy to listen to your narrations. You have a remarkable ability to connect with your audience, making us feel like we're right there in the thick of these historical spy missions. Moreover, your well-written scripts are not only informative but also engaging, keeping me hooked from start to finish. Thanks for the incredible work you do, combining your fantastic storytelling with the intriguing world of espionage history. Your channel is a true gem!

[@daisys8052]

You said it: "Hooked from start to finish.."

[@barto4678]

Are we sure it's not AI voice?

[@tkhiem]

haha @@barto4678, now that you mentioned it, I think that might be a possibility

[@barto4678]

@tkhiem I don't know, I just subscribed. Lots of channels use AI. Listen for mispronounced words, and numbers. Then we'll know lol

[@traceyhordern222]

Thanks for the tip!

[@charlesabernathy5842]

The forty years Blake received frightened Kim Philby to his core.

[@yuglesstube]

What a superb documentary! Many thanks.

[@DansilSchroeder]

Brilliantly researched, scripted, voiced and produced. I hope your channel continues to grow, because I'm down right addicted to listening to your stories

[@Pte_Dodge]

Thank you for another great video!

[@0therun1t21]

I learn more about history and war from spy stories than any other way because I think they're the most interesting thing about it. Your presentation is the best I've found, thank you! I've always thought Minox cameras were so beautiful, the measurement chain accessory is especially cool.

[@holaforistas]

I like this story. George Blake was a real hero. Love george Blake books.

[@WJohnson-qz9hg]

better than anything ive watched on TV in years.

[@YuryMeshkov]

Great man! I am sure there are some good people continuing his legacy in MI6 today. We'll learn about them in due time.

[@ic.84]

This man lived an amazing life no doubt about that.

[@omgnobrain]

Good for him. I liked his quote about belonging.

[@beowulfcollectables]

First time I have watched something like this, wow, so informative, I enjoyed this very much, thank you.

[@m.miskicreativeartarchitec733]

Well done. Loved it. Bravo!

[@GaryPritchard]

That was the most fascinating documentary to date Philip. So interesting and well presented. This could certainly be made into a spy thriller. Your productions get better and better each time. Please keep it up. Can’t wait for the next one

[@chailatecookies7341]

Great video, amazing narration. Thank you for sharing it with us

[@mistyblues6762]

Thanks for the video, hadn't heard of this person before

[@leobustos740]

Incredible work, absolutely enthralling story telling. Keep it up !

[@ykjo5613]

WOW! What a story! Thank you for this 🎉

[@Canarywharfdebz]

Brillant documentary, thank you for this. I have read quite a few books about George Blake and his autobiography. Looking forward to your next spy story.

[@gwenynmel5682]

Funny how many spies came from Cambridge

[@A_10_PaAng_111]

All these universities are breeding grounds for communist ideologies, etc.

[@TalesfromVirginia]

Traitors are executed in times of wars.

[@antonietadeoliveira4900]

Thank you for another marvelous creation!!!

[@adrianovasconcelos2739]

Excellent doc. To the point,, informative, superb narration. Thanks

[@DawnSuttonfabfour]

That was excellently done in all ways. New sub. Keep it up.

[@isaacjeanteube]

Love it. Thank you

[@sparky7915]

Great video!!

[@gayan2517]

A man of conviction.

[@nancycornett9949]

Very interesting! Thank you.

[@Proteus6684]

More videos mate please. Could be about anything for all I care, you have a great way of making them. Very interesting stuff

[@PhilipThompson]

Thanks! I'm cranking them out as fast as I can, but this channel is very much a hobby I have to fit in to my regular work schedule! 😅

[@sidm479]

Just subscribed! Great job Sir

[@menhera2]

Fascinating 😮 especially for me 😎 I was friends with his oldest son when we were toddlers

[@noelsplectrum9]

I was honestly thinking about George Blake today and by sheer luck,or they can hear my thoughts now,I stumbled upon your channel. Thank you.

[@NobregaAlberto]

The algorithm works in mysterious ways

[@srenkampmortensen5554]

Very interesting and perfectly narrated😊

[@zalliscsgo8934]

Thank you for your content sir !

[@siegfriedsassoon5071]

You: There was a real possibility there was a mole in MI6 Me: You think. You Brits may as well have given the bloody Russians the keys to 10 Downing Street and Buckingham Palace

[@corneliuscornia4436]

😊😊

[@jeffharper9703]

​@@corneliuscornia4436 Oh aye daddy'o !☝

[@tomonetruth]

Excellent production.

[@rohinajohnston3916]

Excellent love to hear the history, ..Thanks .

[@levitemakuwa3835]

interesting. Great narration

[@damienmoulton9797]

You call it so well. Wow. Your a true pro. Cheers and thks

[@prabhat4897]

Wow loved it ♥

[@beachboy0505]

His punishment was that for the rest of his life, he was stuck in Moscow. He put on a brave face.

[@claudettedelphis6476]

It was his choice, perhaps he enjoyed some quiet moments.

[@giuseppenero110]

Better than a British prison no doubt

[@alex-E7WHU]

​@@giuseppenero110 better than Britain at the moment.

[@BR1TTA1N]

@@alex-E7WHU none of my cousins being sent to war for a madman’s wants

[@malikroy9069]

This is an excellent autobiography of a man who persevered against all odds and also managed to live longer than 99% of people on this planet. Whether you hate him or like him, you have to admire this man's tenacity for life, certainly not in the range of what a normal human being would do and that's why he will remain an enigma for many centuries to come.

[@abc-wv4in]

I don't admire him at all.

[@sophiachavez3377]

An enigma?? An ordinary man who couldn’t see the evil of the country for whom he spied. So stupid that he believed that he didn’t cause at least 40 deaths; so gullible he believed the Marxist fallacy. A man who betrayed his country certainly didn’t “win” anything. Hope he enjoyed his 50 years in the Russian deep freeze because he may be “enjoying” the opposite now.

[@lovelovelovehappyhappyhappy]

Thank you

[@jesusnunez7798]

Amazing content

[@grantbuchanan7295]

Excellent

[@hanselpollack4075]

Interestingly, I can’t manage, even a guess, where your own sentiments lie.

[@peter9180]

George Blake was born a Jewish Dutchman which hardly makes for a quintessential British gentleman.

[@corneliuscornia4436]

😊😊

[@kaylakurucz7214]

So your assertion is there are no quintessentially British Jewish gentlemen?

[@peter9180]

Not if you add the Dutch bit.

[@kaylakurucz7214]

@@peter9180 define quintessentially British….

[@user-co6hw2vv4j]

Great man full respect 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@Jeff-ty1ek]

A small technical issue - they were B29s not B-17.

[@Trav81888]

Your content is second to none Mr Thompson. Keep up the great work. PS- we have the same surname.

[@joeylowry874]

Brilliant work sir! Cant wait for the next one!!

[@richardshiggins704]

Excellent resumé of a dubious if not in his eyes a very successful career .

[@howdeedoodee6603]

Sehr gute, detailreiche Dokumentation.

[@giuseppenero110]

A high security prison only when they had no films to watch; wonder if the Warden kept his job?

[@ivanconnolly7332]

He was adept at deception ,himself and others.

[@efnissien]

Blake was right that the people involved with espionage that he coughed over were no better or worse than he, (it's actually something Ian Fleming muses over in 'Casino Royale' as Bond recovers from his torture by Le Chiffre.). It's a shitty game, and Blake hardly won. He was exiled and had lost his wife and kids (even though reconciled- it's not like he could pop around if they fell ill or turn up for their weddings)

[@BWo-bb1yw]

Is english a second language for you?

[@efnissien]

@@BWo-bb1yw Actually it is, but my standard is probably better than yours anyway. (English - should be 'capitalized' by the way.) Yes, just spotted typo.

[@sophiachavez3377]

Spying for one’s country is a tough job; betraying one’s country by spying for the enemy is beneath contempt.

[@timor64]

I love all your videos. I wonder about the title Britain's Greatest Traitor? So many choices.....

[@Hartley_Hare]

The thing that gets me about a lot of them was that they led such comfortable, affluent lives and turned around to kick the people who had provided them with those lives right in the fork. My family have had next to bog all for generations, but have fought in two world wars and quietly got on with paying taxes and Doing The Right Thing. I find it very hard to hate them more than I do.

[@timor64]

@@Hartley_Hare Certainly Philby fits this picture of complete privilige. Blake was well-off but never accepted by the Establishment - half foreign and half Jewish. I agree he was priviliged compared to the millions with very little who gave their all for their country / the Empire. During the war Blake gave his all for the UK as well. It was afterwards he became disillusioned and turned.

[@susanraby-dunne8180]

Very interesting.

[@jackreacher8858]

If a movie is going to be make , the great actor who look just him would be perfect for the role . Robert Duvall for sure .

[@abc-wv4in]

Hard to believe those who helped him escape prison were acquitted. Justice was not done.

[@DevRSVR]

Very good documentary. One slight correction if i may. Bourke is pronounced Burke. Great channel though. Keep it up!

[@doreekaplan2589]

George was not a Jew through his father. Only possible if his mother was Jewish.

[@robinwells8879]

To say that he played the game and won might be stretching it somewhat. He chose the loosing side and forfeited his family as the price. I would call that a Pyrrhic victory at best. 😂

[@PhilipThompson]

I agree. And, in hindsight, if I made this video again I would not say what I did!

[@robinwells8879]

@@PhilipThompson I wouldn’t have you change a thing. It’s a fine documentary.

[@skydeclair]

So England been falling downing for years,

[@daisys8052]

Thanks for another classy video, Philip. Even though excellence and you are synonymous, it still feels good to say so. As for British intelligence, Blake, along with the other Cambridge spies, tells a pathetic story. But good to see the principles of justice upheld in Britain even in the worst case.

[@Martyn2021]

If you have the time please would/could do a similar documentary on the author John Le Carre better known in spy David Cornwell, as he has a interesting background similar to Mr Blake here. In fact I have a feeling that when writing the book a perfect spy he used mostly autobiographical information in several incidents with Mr Blake. To create Magnus Pymm

[@donaldolin7219]

As they say…..the good die young.

[@user-jl9cn1dh2m]

Great documentary, thank you. Although I find strange that they don't mention in the documentary that he met in Scrubs another great Soviet spy Gordon Lonsdale, AKA Conan Molody, and they made friends and later on met in Moscow.

[@DeBeard]

Thx god i finally find a documentary on cold war spies that is presented in an objective manner, most of other documentaries were trying to tell stories in a political right way, which is pretty disgusting😢

[@uforferdetnilsson2595]

another excellent video - but i fail to see what Blake actually won

[@Horgi-vv2kh]

A traitor is a Traitor no matter what or where he lived in Russia always a Traitor forever!

[@EChai900]

You left out a lot of information. E.g., the first girl he wanted to marry in England (his background was not proper enough for her family). He volunteered to fight first for Germany but they could not verify his Aryan bonafides so he was rejected. That's when he really turned. Very pertinent information that you left out.

[@alanyates5088]

I missed the voice of Philip: loved the accent.

[@NS_Voice]

I see a common similarity between the American soviet spies and British spies...

[@AADP]

An outstanding men

[@ahaji1472]

The spy of all spy and he outlived all of them.

[@frankfahrenheit9537]

The question arises whether his deeds had any consequences besides the 40 dead agents and the stepping down of a few bureaucrats. Sovied Union was doomed 1990.

[@sophiachavez3377]

You count 40 dead agents as little or nothing?

[@cynic5581]

The Stalin dying b-roll had me cracking up. Looks like me when I see a really big spider. Great video btw

[@kennedymcgovern5413]

Every time I watch a story about Blake, I am tempted to be made angry. Then I have to remember, he is British, not American. Indeed, it was the Irish that helped him escape. Being an Anmerican Cold Warrior, I am no fan of the Soviets. But sometimes you have to make a deal with a devil in order to fight a bigger devil. My country had to team up with the Soviets to beat the Nazis. My ancestrial country had to team up with them to beat the British. It all works out in the end.

[@user-STARe]

Who should we cooperate with in order to defeat America? I mean, she's the founding devil. It's pointless to focus on the little devils.

[@sophiachavez3377]

No it doesn’t. Your spelling needs improvement.

[@condogwow]

In the 20th and 21st centuries, America was and is the big imperialist devil. Wrought havoc on the world trying to stamp out organically forming socialist and collectivist movements.

[@alex-E7WHU]

Except now your country is funded nazzis in Ukraine. Be angry.

[@fahmyayoob5775]

What else could he say except calm and contented....in Britain prison awaited him and in USSR he had to say what he was ordered to say.... he had no choice

[@user-rc9ew3ky6n]

A traitor for sure, but you have to admit the man lived a life.

[@GhostlyEddie]

Wow what a cad. Can you imagine all the spying and double crosses going on today with so many hotspots in the world. Anyway I appreciated your documentary and learned a lot.

[@P4RK3R1Z3D]

I don't understand how an interest in Russian literature leads to embracing the Soviet Union. Did he have any idea what they did to writers like Pasternak, Bulgakov, Der Nister, even Dostoyevsky, for Christ's sake! The Russian literary style was ruined by the Soviets!

[@Johnny-w15]

B-17?? But. Really good documentary

[@AGrackin]

Part of the reason Blake and Kim Philby and the others got away with it for so long was the sheer snobbery of British intelligence in those days. He is 'one of us', can't possibly be a bad guy. You get that loud and clear in the bio's of the so-called Cambridge 5, Burgess, MacClean, Philby, etc.

[@markburk4590]

The black and white graphic overlayed at 15:36 is The Chrysler Building, not The Empire State Building.

[@Dreddwinner]

❤

[@eurogulf1661]

Does anyone know this movie name (inside job or the traitor within) and where it is available. I remember having seen this about 20-25 years ago but cannot find it now

[@nikinewton7917]

A very facinating story. This was definitely a very intelligent man. I abide his statement that every spy has done wrongs. It's rather an extreme though job, with set's of iron nerves. James Bond in extreme. Blake, hat off to you Sir, with love.........

[@Suhayl-bek]

learn english bruva