The Catcher Was a Spy

The Catcher Was a Spy

Year: 2018

Runtime: 98 min

Language: English

Director: Ben Lewin

BiographyDramaWar

During World War II, Princeton-educated baseball catcher Moe Berg leads a secret life as a spy for US intelligence. Recruited for a dangerous mission, he infiltrates Europe to locate and neutralize the Nazis’ leading nuclear scientist, hoping to prevent them from developing an atomic bomb. Balancing his athletic career with espionage, Berg must rely on his intellect and skill to survive a perilous game of deception and outwit his adversaries.

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Timeline – The Catcher Was a Spy (2018)

Trace every key event in The Catcher Was a Spy (2018) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Moe's Baseball Career

In 1936, Moe Berg is a prominent member of the Boston Red Sox. His coach, Joe Cronin, urges him to retire due to his declining performance, while his teammates suspect he may be hiding his true self, adding strain to his personal and professional life.

1936 Boston
2

Clandestine Relationship

During this period, Moe engages in a secret relationship with Estella Huni. Despite their connection, Estella grows increasingly frustrated with Moe's unwillingness to publicly acknowledge their bond, creating tension between them.

3

Tour of Japan

While touring Japan, Moe has a sexual liaison with Kawabata. He simultaneously documents Japanese military installations on film, gather valuable intelligence that will later play a role in the war effort.

Japan
4

Pearl Harbor Attack

In December 1941, the United States officially declares war on Japan following the devastating attack on Pearl Harbor. This event marks a turning point, escalating U.S. involvement in World War II and setting the stage for Moe's transformation from athlete to spy.

December 1941 Pearl Harbor, Hawaii
5

Recruitment by OSS

Moe approaches OSS Director Bill Donovan with his footage of Japanese installations. Bill recruits Moe despite his evasive nature regarding his sexuality, introducing him to key figures who brief him on the urgent situation regarding the German atomic bomb initiative.

6

Meeting with Scientists

Moe meets scientists Robert Furman and Samuel Goudsmit, who inform him about the German efforts to create an atomic bomb led by Werner Heisenberg. They reveal that the only lead to Heisenberg's location is a professor in Italy, who may provide crucial information.

7

Rescue in Italy

Moe, Samuel, and Furman travel to Italy to rescue Professor Edoardo Amaldi from German troops. They successfully extract him just before the area falls into enemy hands, learning more about Heisenberg's situation during their escape.

Italy
8

Doubts About Heisenberg

During their discussions, Samuel expresses skepticism about Heisenberg's loyalty despite his scientific prowess. The possibility arises that Heisenberg may not actively pursue the bomb's creation, raising moral dilemmas about Moe's impending mission.

9

Mission to Assassinate Heisenberg

Despite concerns about Heisenberg's intentions, Bill Donovan orders Moe to proceed with the assassination. Moe grapples with the ethical implications of killing a man who might secretly want to help the Allies.

10

Invitation to Zurich

Samuel learns that Heisenberg will attend a conference in Zurich, where Moe is discreetly smuggled in. It is during a party that Heisenberg becomes suspicious of Moe's true agenda, hinting at a deeper understanding between the two men.

Zurich
11

Critical Confrontation

On a bridge in Zurich, Heisenberg confronts Moe, suspecting him to be an American operative. In a moment of moral clarity, Moe realizes that Heisenberg may be more complex than he anticipated and ultimately allows him to escape.

Zurich
12

The Truth Revealed

After the war, it is confirmed that the anticipated German bomb never existed, reshaping the narrative around the Nazi's atomic ambitions. Moe is offered the Presidential Medal of Freedom, a testament to his service, which he chooses to decline.

13

Heisenberg's Disclosure

In the aftermath, Heisenberg voluntarily provides the Allies with the locations of Germany's heavy water reserves. This act demonstrates his complex character and the ambiguous moral choices made during the war.

14

Moe's Emotional Struggle

Despite his experiences and wartime achievements, Moe grapples with unresolved feelings towards Estella, who marries in 1945. Meanwhile, Moe remains a bachelor, forever marked by the choices and moral conflicts he faced during a tumultuous time.

1945

Last Updated: November 02, 2024 at 13:45

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Characters, Settings & Themes in The Catcher Was a Spy

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