Watch Tracking Edith

Tracking Edith is a chilling and riveting documentary movie that delves into the life and intrigues of Edith Tudor-Hart, an Austrian-British photographer and Soviet spy during the Cold War era. The documentary is captivatingly directed by Peter Stephan Jungk and narrated by Rebecca Front. It features interviews with Edith’s family members, historians, archivists, and former intelligence agents, as well as riveting narratives, footage, and photographs, to give an immersive depiction of Edith’s life as a spy.

The movie opens with a brief introduction to Edith Tudor-Hart, whose family moved from Austria to the UK in the early 20th century. Edith was a talented photographer who took iconic photographs of miners and poverty-stricken communities in the UK during the 1920s and 1930s. However, unbeknownst to her contemporaries, Edith was also a committed communist and remarkably talented spy who worked for the Soviet Union’s intelligence agency under the pseudonym 'Ruth Werner'.

The movie expertly highlights Edith’s proficiency and versatility as a spy, who, using her photography network, sent invaluable information to the Soviet Union about British atomic bomb research, MI5 operations, and police brutality, among other things. The documentary also reveals how Edith’s spy work impacted the lives of those around her, including her family, whose members were harassed, arrested, and tortured by the UK government.

The movie does well to present Edith Tudor-Hart as a complex and multi-dimensional spy, whose motivations for betraying her country were never overtly political but instead stemmed from her deep-rooted desire to make a difference in society. The documentary shows how Edith's experiences living in poverty during her formative years, coupled with the rise of fascism in Europe, shaped her political views and ultimately led her to spy for the Soviet Union.

Moreover, Tracking Edith succeeds in presenting a nuanced portrayal of Edith's contemporaries, particularly her husband and fellow communist, Klaus Fuchs, who was also a Soviet spy. The movie shows how Klaus openly discussed his betrayal with Edith and how the duo worked together to avoid detection by MI5 agents. The documentary also highlights the harrowing betrayal of Klaus by Edith, who the former believed to be someone he could trust and confide in.

Another remarkable aspect of the movie is how it highlights the impact of Edith’s spy work on her social activism, particularly within the medical community. The documentary shows how Edith worked as a nurse during the Spanish Civil War and World War II and used her spy work to glean invaluable information about Soviet medicine and healthcare. The movie also highlights how Edith's photography and activism influenced her cousin, Kim Philby, who was also a Soviet spy.

In conclusion, Tracking Edith is an emotionally stirring and informative documentary that serves both as an illuminating exploration of the life and intrigues of Edith Tudor-Hart and a reflection of the events that shaped the 20th century. The movie successfully presents Edith as not only a spy but also a multifaceted individual who dedicated her life to making a difference in society. With its excellent narration, footages, photographs, and interviews, the movie presents a compelling and profound commentary on the intersection of politics, espionage, and activism during the Cold War era.

Tracking Edith is a 2019 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 31 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.0.