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Summary
- Errol Morris is set to release his latest documentary, The Pigeon Tunnel, which provides an intimate look at the life of legendary spy-turned-writer John le Carré.
- The documentary explores le Carré’s ability to distinguish friend from foe, a skill honed during his time with MI5 and MI6, and takes its name from his memoir inspired by a childhood memory of witnessing a pigeon hunt.
- The Pigeon Tunnel was significant for le Carré and served as his chance to put his ultimate persona on the record, while also carefully constructing his legacy.
Errol Morris, renowned documentarian, is set to unveil his latest work, The Pigeon Tunnel, at the Telluride Film Festival. This captivating documentary provides a close and personal look at the life of David Cornwell, more widely recognized by his pseudonym, John le Carré, the legendary novelist who transitioned from being a spy to a writer. Although the Telluride lineup has only recently been revealed, we are thrilled to offer an exclusive sneak peek at the trailer of this Apple TV+ documentary, which is scheduled for its online premiere on October 20.
In The Pigeon Tunnel, Morris and Cornwell engage in a revealing conversation that sheds light on Cornwell’s acute ability to discern friend from adversary, a critical skill honed during his tenure with MI5, the U.K.’s domestic counter-intelligence agency, and MI6, its foreign intelligence counterpart. The documentary takes its name from le Carré’s memoir published in 2016, which, in turn, was inspired by a childhood memory of Cornwell witnessing a pigeon hunt.
Born in 1931 as David John Moore Cornwell, le Carré transitioned from a career in espionage to become one of the most celebrated and widely-read authors of spy novels. His extensive bibliography includes Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, The Spy Who Came in from the Cold, Russia House, The Tailor of Panama, The Constant Gardener, and The Night Manager. These works have all been adapted into films or television series. Notable actors such as Alec Guinness, Gary Oldman, and Denholm Elliott have portrayed George Smiley, le Carré’s most renowned character, and a British intelligence officer.
David Cornwell’s Reflective Confession in The Pigeon Tunnel
The documentary was produced by Simon and Stephen Cornwell, both sons of the author. In a brief essay, they, along with their sibling Nicholas Cornwell, provide insights into the dynamic interaction between the director and their father. This interaction was facilitated by the Interretron, an innovative teleprompter-like device created by Morris, which enabled him to converse with the interviewee through a camera. The interview took place at Cornwell’s Wrotham Park estate in 2019, a year prior to his passing at 89.
Cornwell’s sons stated in their essay:
“For David, the conversation with Errol was imagined as a definitive swan song. David knew already that it would be his last significant interview, his chance to put his ultimate persona on the record. For years before he first met Errol, David would speak glowingly of The Fog Of War, [Morris’s 2003 documentary], of the importance of Robert McNamara’s final testament, and of Errol’s ability to penetrate almost imperceptibly the heart of both the man and the matter. David wanted to make his own confession. But at the same time, perhaps he also wanted a last opportunity to sculpt his image and leave a reflective legacy that was every bit as carefully constructed as his fiction.”
Errol Morris directed and wrote The Pigeon Tunnel, with Morris, Dominic Crossley-Holland, Steven Hathaway, Simon Cornwell, and Stephen Cornwell producing. The executive production team includes Hossein Amini, P.J. van Sandwijk, Michael Lesslie, Joe Tsai, Arthur Wang, Michele Wolkoff, and Katherine Butler. The film’s musical score is composed by Philip Glass and Paul Leonard-Morgan, both long-time collaborators of Morris.
Following its inaugural screening at Telluride, The Pigeon Tunnel is slated for its international unveiling at the Toronto International Film Festival on Monday, September 11. This fascinating documentary is not to be missed by fans of John le Carré, espionage enthusiasts, and admirers of Errol Morris’ poignant storytelling.
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