Watch The Good Shepherd. Lecture 3 of 4. The Good Shepherd.

The Good Shepherd is a 2006 spy thriller movie directed by Robert De Niro and starring Matt Damon, Angelina Jolie, and Alec Baldwin. The movie explores the life of an intelligence officer, Edward Wilson, who rises through the ranks of the CIA during World War II and the Cold War. The film is over two and a half hours long and is known for its intense and stylish direction, impressive performances, and complex plot.

The movie begins in 1961, when Edward Wilson (Matt Damon) is the head of the CIA and is tasked with finding a traitor in the agency. The story then flashes back to 1939 when Wilson is a student at Yale University and is recruited to join a secret society called Skull and Bones. The society is a front for the Office of Strategic Services (OSS), which is the precursor to the CIA. Wilson is recruited by a mysterious man named General Bill Sullivan (Robert De Niro), who recognizes Wilson's potential as an intelligence officer.

The movie follows Wilson as he rises through the ranks of the OSS and later the CIA, becoming increasingly involved in the agency's murky and dangerous work. Along the way, he falls in love with a deaf woman named Margaret (Tammy Blanchard) but is forced to leave her behind in order to pursue his career. He also becomes embroiled in a complicated web of betrayal and espionage, as he uncovers a Soviet spy within the agency.

The movie is known for its intense and stylish direction, with De Niro using long takes and muted colors to create a sense of tension and secrecy. The film also features impressive performances from the cast, including Matt Damon as the stoic and reserved Edward Wilson and Angelina Jolie as his estranged wife, Clover. Jolie's character is based on the real-life socialite Cordelia Scaife May, who was married to a CIA officer and eventually became a Grateful Dead fan and an environmentalist.

The Good Shepherd is a highly complex and intricate movie, with a plot that weaves together historical events and fictional characters. The movie covers a broad sweep of American history, including the founding of the OSS, the Bay of Pigs invasion, and the Watergate scandal. The film also touches on issues of loyalty, patriotism, and the costs of intelligence work, as Wilson struggles to maintain his moral compass in the face of constant danger and deception.

Overall, The Good Shepherd is a gripping and well-crafted spy thriller that offers a fascinating glimpse into the shadowy world of intelligence work. The movie is notable for its stylish direction, strong performances, and intricate plot. While it may be too complex and slow-paced for some viewers, those who enjoy a good historical spy drama are sure to enjoy this film.

The Good Shepherd. Lecture 3 of 4. The Good Shepherd. is a 2011 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 23 minutes.