Spies and Lies
90 minute telefeature

A ripping yarn about conspiracy, incompetence, and an extraordinary hoax that challenged the highest levels of New Zealand government....and it's a true story.

1942. New Zealand is at war. Times are desperate. The Japanese invasion seems imminent.

At this perilous moment, confidence trickster Syd Ross completes his sentence and is released from Waikeria Prison. He makes a phone call and finds himself in front of Prime Minister Fraser. Syd tells a tale of sabotage and assassination, of a Nazi plot to take over New Zealand.

Fraser contacts Major Folkes, head of the Security Intelligence Bureau. Folkes seizes on Ross' story, gives Ross a new identity, a car, money and accommodation at The Grand in Rotorua. Ross is to gather evidence on the 'Nazi plot'. As he does so, Folkes puts together a secret dossier, embroidering Ross' lies and building a picture of a country in extreme danger.

Based on the book The Plot to Subvert Wartime New Zealand by Hugh Price.

Starring Antony Starr in the lead role of Syd Ross.

Press Reviews

Runtime:
90m

Producer(s):
Simon Bennett

Director(s):
Simon Bennett

Executive Producer(s):
John Barnett, Chris Bailey

Writer(s):
Dave Armstrong

Director
Simon Bennett
Executive Producer
Chris Bailey
Executive Producer
John Barnett
Producer
Simon Bennett
Writer
Dave Armstrong
Production Year
2010

Type
Telefeature

Genre
History

Stage
Distribution