The Impossible Spy (DVD)

Based on the true story of Elie Cohen, Israel's national hero, whose daring mission took him from Argentina to Damascus where he successfully entered the upper echelons of the Syrian government. The secrets he obtained became crucial in Israel's victory in the 1967 Six-Day War. A portrait of spies and spying that is as chilling as it is compelling, and as riveting as any James Bond adventure. The legendary Elie Cohen was persuaded to become a secret agent and ended up leading a double life -- as a mild-mannered husband and father in Israel, and as a wealthy businessman who infiltrated the highest levels of the Syrian government. Incredibly, Cohen was so successful that he was nominated to be the Defense Minister of Syria. The story begins in 1959. Cohen was a family man leading a quiet, normal life working as an accountant in Tel Aviv when he is recruited by Israel's Mossad secret service and assigned a mission that would forever change his life, and the history of Israel. John Shea ("Missing," "Lois and Clark," "Baby M") delivers a riveting performance as Elie Cohen whose mission took him from Argentina, where he established a new identity as a wealthy Syrian businessman, to Damascus. Risking his life at every turn, Cohen's guile and fluency in Arabic enables him to climb to the upper echelons of the Syrian government and gain access to the most vital secrets of the enemy's military machine. This top-secret information, which he related to Israeli intelligence, became a crucial element in Israel's victory in the 1967 Six-Day War. Eli Wallach ("Baby Doll," "The Misfits," "Tough Guys") co-stars in this explosive account of intrigue and espionage in the volatile Middle East. 2005 was the 40th anniversary year of Elie Cohen's death (May 18, 1965) June 5-11, 2007 will be the 40th Anniversary of The Six-Day War--for which Elie Cohen's mission was substantially responsible for the quick victory.

• documentary