The Spy Behind Home Plate

Name: The Spy Behind Home Plate
Genre: Documentary
Released: May 24, 2019
Duration: 101 min
Rating: 67

2019

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Generally favorable reviews based on 7 Critic Reviews

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The Spy Behind Home Plate

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Movie Details & Credits

mTuckman Media | Release Date: May 24, 2019 | Not Rated

Summary: In this first ever feature-length documentary about the enigmatic Morris "Moe" Berg, award-winning filmmaker Aviva Kempner again focuses her camera on a little-known Jewish hero. From the streets of Newark to five major league teams during baseball's Golden Age to his secret life spying for the OSS during WWII, Berg's improbable story isIn this first ever feature-length documentary about the enigmatic Morris "Moe" Berg, award-winning filmmaker Aviva Kempner again focuses her camera on a little-known Jewish hero. From the streets of Newark to five major league teams during baseball's Golden Age to his secret life spying for the OSS during WWII, Berg's improbable story is told with rare historical footage and revealing interviews with family and an All-Star roster from the worlds of history, sports and spycraft.… Expand

Director: Aviva Kempner

Genre(s): Documentary

Rating: Not Rated

Runtime: 101 min

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

William Bibbiani

Jun 17, 2019

The film doesn’t take an extra step towards cinematic showiness, nor does it glamorize or sensationalize Berg’s life. It’s just a nice time talking about World War II and baseball, sharing stories and retelling old jokes. It’s a respectable ode to Berg’s unusual, remarkable life. Read full review

Kenneth Turan

Jun 6, 2019

[An] authoritative and engrossing documentary. Read full review

Ken Jaworowski

May 30, 2019

There’s much to absorb throughout “The Spy Behind Home Plate,” and sometimes details speed by too fast or digressions go on a bit long. Still, Kempner’s passion for her remarkable subject is always evident. Read full review

Marjorie Baumgarten

Jul 17, 2019

The Spy Behind Home Plate is a documentary that should appeal to anyone with an interest in stories about the Golden Age of baseball, World War II spy missions, and unusual corners of American Jewish history. Read full review

Pat Padua

May 20, 2019

The film has more than enough true material to fuel an effective thriller, but director Aviva Kempner doesn’t quite manage to bring this fascinating figure to life. Read full review

Movie Nation Roger Moore

May 13, 2019

The Spy Behind the Plate feels played, stuffed with filler, overrun with experts of varying merit, and doesn’t break enough new ground to warrant the effort. Read full review

John DeFore

May 23, 2019

It's much more dry than one might expect, demonstrating the truth of something interviewees suggest more than once: As intriguing a person as Berg was, it was not easy to know him. Read full review

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BHBarry

Jun 21, 2019

The Spy Behind the Plate is a feature length documentary written, produced and directed by Avila Kempner. Using interviews, films and photographs of those who knew him, it tells the story of Morris "Moe" Berg who, as a professional baseball player, attorney, writer and member of the OSS (theThe Spy Behind the Plate is a feature length documentary written, produced and directed by Avila Kempner. Using interviews, films and photographs of those who knew him, it tells the story of Morris "Moe" Berg who, as a professional baseball player, attorney, writer and member of the OSS (the predecessor agency to the CIA) helped his country as a spy prior to and during World War II. Well versed in 10, some say
12, foreign languages this major league catcher with degrees from Princeton and Columbia rose from his first generation background to become one of the most interesting and provocative figures in the field of espionage and sports. Well edited and written, the film deserves and gets an 8 rating as the audience is given the opportunity to learn much about this relatively unknown American hero. be… Expand

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