A Call to Spy is a historical drama film that depicts the true story of Vera Atkins, a British intelligence officer who recruited and trained female spies during World War II. The movie focuses on Atkins' efforts to build a network of female spies that included Virginia Hall and Noor Inayat Khan, both of whom played critical roles in the war effort.
Virginia Hall, an American from Maryland, was an accomplished linguist who had a prosthetic leg due to a hunting accident. Despite her disability, she was determined to serve her country and became a master of disguise and espionage. She played a crucial role in providing intelligence to the Allies and facilitating the escape of downed airmen and other resistance fighters.
Noor Inayat Khan was the daughter of an Indian mystic and musician, and a descendant of Tipu Sultan, the ruler of Mysore. She was raised in Paris and was a pacifist who struggled with the idea of using violence to resist Nazi occupation. However, she ultimately joined the British Special Operations Executive (SOE) as a wireless operator and went on to become the first female radio operator to be sent to France. She continued to transmit vital information even after her network had been compromised, before being captured by the Gestapo and sent to a concentration camp, where she was executed.
The movie portrays the challenges faced by these women as they operated in a male-dominated field, risking their lives to support the war effort. It also highlights the bonds of sisterhood that developed between them, as they worked together in dangerous and often hostile conditions. With a talented cast that includes Sarah Megan Thomas as Vera Atkins, Stana Katic as Virginia Hall, and Radhika Apte as Noor Inayat Khan, A Call to Spy is a gripping and inspiring film that celebrates the bravery and resilience of these pioneering women.