Israeli-American spy thriller The Angel examines the fragile peace brokered in the Middle East in the 1960’s amidst international pressure on Egypt to lead the way averting a catastrophic war.

Based on the true story “The Angel: The Egyptian Spy Who Saved Israel” the main protagonist is Ashraf Marwan, the son in law of President Sadat who has recently ascended to power on the back of the Six Day War and the death of President Nasser. Marwan cuts a frustrated figure as he tries to win the admiration and acceptance of his Father who would have preferred his daughter to choose a better partner.

In his quest to impress Marwan compromises his integrity and places his family in danger. Turning his predicament into an advantage, he finds an unlikely ally on the Israeli side in the form of Mossad handler known as “Alex” and secretly sets about collaborating with him to sabotage military efforts in both countries and undermine hawkish politicians in order to strike peace.

The whole thing was a bit rushed and I can’t help but think it would be a superb mini-series if storyboarded correctly given the historical significance of events depicted. We even get a special cameo from Libya’s despotic leader Colonel Gaddafi who is positioned as a hedonistic power broker.

Good entertainment, well acted and a dramatised snapshot into the Middle East peace process.

7.25/10