Red Joan

Red Joan - Official Trailer - In Cinemas Apr 19
LionsgateFilmsUK

Not a bad little movie. Judi Dench is getting old, you may remember her from her role as M in several of the James Bond films. The film flashes back and forth between WW2 when Joan was a hot shot assistant to the guys working on the atomic bomb in the UK and the present day when Joan is being arrested and charged with treason. It's very well put together. The interrogator asks present day Joan a question, which sends Joan down memory lane and now here we are, back during WW2, back when everything in question happened. Reminds me of me when someone asks me a question about the good old days. Well, except for that bit about treason.

The story is based on the real life person Melita Norwood, who really did send classified stuff to the Russians.  ". . . to protect other investigations it was then decided not to prosecute her."

The reason's given in the film for Joan's actions are different than the one's given in the Wikipedia article. Joan's rationale for helping the Russians was that if they had the bomb as well, there would be a standoff as neither side would be willing to start a nuclear war. Looks like she was right. So far anyway. I doubt the Russians will start a nuclear war, but I wouldn't be surprised is some Asian muslim-theocrat dominated government doesn't set one off. On the other hand, a government like that might not be able to get all their scientific ducks in row. It takes a big, well coordinated organization to develop a nuclear weapon and a delivery system, and it doesn't take but one disgusted or incompetent fool to foul up the whole operation.