Breach is a 2007 american spy thriller film directed by billy ray. Unlike in the movie, oneill never saw hanssen after the arrest. Ryan phillippe and chris cooper as fbi agents eric oneill and robert hanssen in breach. Unlike the fictional da vinci code, however, the movie is based on the true story of convicted fbi spy and opus dei supernumerary robert hanssen. I had my doubts about it, being the avid moviegoer that i am that they. According to the movie, robert hanssen is being brought back to fbi headquarters in washington d. Robert hanssen documentary watch a short biography about fbi agent robert hanssen, who is serving life in prison for working as a spy for the russians. Breach, a fastpaced movie directed by billy ray, attempts to answer some of these perplexing questions. Eric michael oneill born march 3, 1973 is an american former fbi counterterrorism and counterintelligence operative. Eric oneill talks breach exclusive evan jacobs jun 10, 2007.
The man who brought down robert hanssen gives a very candid interview about the. Feb 16, 2007 breach movie is based on the true story of robert hanssen, an fbi agent convicted of spying for the soviet union and later russia for more than two decades, and eric oneill, who worked as his. The man who brought down robert hanssen gives a very candid interview about the film and his work that brought about its creation. Breach dvd widescreen true story movie chris cooper, ryan phillippe laura linney. Robert philip hanssen born april 18, 1944 is a former federal bureau of investigation fbi. For over twenty years, robert hansen sold secrets to the russians. He was sentenced to life in prison after pleading guilty to 15 charges of espionage. Robert hanssen, in full robert philip hanssen, born april 18, 1944, chicago, illinois, u. It is very accurate when it comes to the main plot points. Breach centers on a new fbi agent placed to watch robert hanssen in order to catch.
Phillippe and chris cooper as fbi agents eric oneill and robert hanssen in breach. Whats it like to see yourself portrayed in a movie. Spy robert hanssen, fbis eric oneill breach movie true. Federal bureau of investigation fbi who was one of the soviet unions and russias most valuable double agents and the most damaging spy ever to penetrate the fbi. Published on jan 7, 2010 nightlife interview with eric oneill, undercover fbi operative who assisted with the capture of notorious spy robert hanssen and was featured in universal studious. Fbi agent robert philip hanssen is shown in this undated file photo, released by the fbi february 20, 2001. From the movie breach about convicted spy robert hanssen. Billy rays antithriller is based on the reallife case of robert hanssen, a. Originally presented in two parts by the cbs network, master spy is the true story of robert hanssen, a disgruntled fbi agent who, for 20 years, systematically sold out his country to the former. The screenplay, written by ray, adam mazer and william rotko, is based on the true story of robert hanssen. Breach movie is based on the true story of robert hanssen, an fbi agent convicted of spying for the soviet union and later russia for more than two.
I watched this movie last night and there was a point where robert hanssen played by chris cooper said something to the effect of this is the best pen, id never write with anything else. How accurate was the movie breach, the story of spy. Stahl reports that hanssen invited his best friend to watch him have sex. The inside story of how the fbis robert hanssen betrayed america points out that during this time, robert hanssen was not the only russian spy that had infiltrated us intelligence agencies. Oneill is hand picked to work for renowned operative robert hanssen within. In the movie breach, hanssen chris cooper sits at his desk watching a dvd of what appears to be the movie entrapment starring actress catherine zetajones. An fbi agent prepares to take down hanssen with a glock 17. Peter interviews eric oneill, the fbi investigator who went undercover as robert hanssen s clerk during the final months before hanssen was arrested for espionage. Pg inspired by the incredible true story of the greatest security breach in u.
A cia operative who spent more than 30 years with the agency and specialized in soviet and russian. Watch breach movie trailers, exclusive videos, interviews from the cast, movie clips and more at. In russia, in 1907, a rich lenient husband of a loose unfaithful woman is brutally murdered. Breach dvd widescreen true story movie chris cooper, ryan. I am well aware of the story of robert hanssen, and had to see the film because of that. Fbi supervisory special agent robert philip hanssen was a reprehensible traitor. Breach 2007 breach movie breach hollywood movie cast. In the position of personal assistant to hanssen, oneill works to uncover evidence against his boss that will help to strengthen the legal case gradually being built against him. Jul 04, 2019 from the movie breach about convicted spy robert hanssen. Note that it lacks the locking block pin on the frame, which is a feature found on gen 2. Breach is a based on a true story movie of robert hanssen, the fbi man tagged the worst spy in us history.
Once again, opus dei members are featured in a movie entitled breach. Breach contains some finely crafted spygame sequences, as when oneill tries to keep hanssen out of his office while haysbert and co. The peeping perv side of convicted fbi mole new york post. Spy robert hanssen, fbis eric oneill breach movie true story. Learn the true story behind this spy movie that stars chris. Sep 04, 2007 eric oneill was a young fbi surveillance operative who in 2001 was plucked from his undercover unit and tasked to spy on robert hanssen, a senior fbi counterintelligence officer or. The movie covers how hanssen played by chris cooper was finally caught with the help of a. Fbi upstart eric oneill enters into a power game with his boss, robert hanssen, an agent who was put on trial for selling secrets to the soviet union. Biography of robert hanssen, spy who betrayed the fbi. That we did not lose the cold war ought blind no one to the fact that robert philip hanssen, for his own selfish and corrupt reasons, placed every american citizen in harms way. Breach is a very intense film based on the true story of robert hansen who commited the worst breach in us history. Breach dvd chris cooper actor, ryan phillippe actor, billy ray director rated. It also provides knowing glimpses into the home lives of the young married oneills, the careerwoman kate, and the putative family man, robert hanssen.
The movie covers only the last six weeks of hanssen s twodecadelong espionage career, opening in the late fall of 2000, when hanssen first came under the investigative microscope. Posing as hanssen s assistant at a new, bogus fbi office, eric is initially kept in the dark by his superior, kate burroughs laura linney. There are minor plot points that were added or altered, usually to illustrate a larger point in an abbreviated amount of time. Breach is the suspense thriller based on the true story of robert hanssen, an fbi agent convicted of spying for the soviet union and later russia for. On february 18, 2001, robert philip hanssen was arrested and charged with committing espionage on behalf of the intelligence services of the former soviet union and its successors. The worst spy in us history, robert hanssen and the movie. Mar 11, 2019 robert phillip hanssen was born in chicago, illinois, on april 18, 1944. Eric oneill phillippe is assigned to work with renowned operative robert hanssen cooper, the sole subject of a longterm, topsecret investigation. Apr 06, 2019 robert hanssen left, a 25year career fbi man, pleaded guilty to, among other charges, counts of espionage for russia. On february 18, 2001, robert hanssen, a 56year old fbi agent, was arrested, by the very agency he worked for, for selling secrets to the russians. There was aldrich ames, john anthony walker, ronald pelton, earl pitts, etc.
Hes been tasked with watching robert because, as his boss says, robert is a bit of a sexual deviant. The man who betrayed the west describes the hunt to trap hanssen. Details about breach dvd widescreen true story movie chris cooper, ryan phillippe laura linney. Investigate the real fbi spy robert hanssen and operative eric oneill behind the movie breach. His father served on the police force in chicago and was serving in the u. He invites eric to watch, asking eric what he thinks of her. Breach internet movie firearms database guns in movies. He was the subject of a 2002 madefortelevision movie, master spy. Breach is the suspense thriller based on the true story of robert hanssen, an fbi agent convicted of spying for the soviet union and later. Unfortunately, this film fails to live up to the potential that one might expect from a fascinating story and a fine cast. A cia operative who spent more than 30 years with the. How an fbi agent risked his life to expose boss as russian spy.
Eric oneill, a computer specialist who wants to be made an agent is assigned to clerk for hanssen and to write down everything hanssen does. Ive seen the movie a million times but it still gives me the creeps, especially that. It is based on the true story of young fbi hopeful, eric oneill, who is recruited to expose his new boss, agent robert hanssen, accused of feeding secrets to the soviet union. Feb 20, 2007 oneill served as a special consultant to the movie breach. Breach stars ryan phillippe fillehpee, laura linney and chris cooper. Oneill served as a special consultant to the movie breach. I am a student of the robert hanssen affair, and thus i had high hopes for this film, particularly given that william hurt stars as robert hanssen. Eric oneill, a computer specialist who wants to be made an agent is assigned to clerk for robert hanssen, a senior agent with 25 years in the fbi, and to write down everything hanssen does. According to a bbc report, hanssen was suffering from guilt over a lifelong obsession with pornography, when.
He is now in prison for life and spends 23 hours a day in solitary confinement for reasons i have not been able to discover though id like to. Now, could the mole be someone from the bureau, not the cia. Robert hanssen shares the title of one of americas most notorious moles with aldrich ames. Breach 2007 cast and crew credits, including actors, actresses, directors, writers and more. The story of fbi spy robert hanssen makes for a film that offers a tale of reallife espionage that. It is said he was the greatest security breach in u. In february, 2001, robert hanssen, a senior agent with 25 years in the fbi, is arrested for spying. Eric oneills role in the capture of robert hanssen was dramatized in the 2007 film breach, in which chris cooper played the role of hanssen and ryan phillippe played oneill. Robert phillip hanssen was born in chicago, illinois, on april 18, 1944. Eric oneill talked about the robert hanssen spy case.
The screenplay, written by ray, adam mazer and william rotko, is based on the true story of robert hanssen, an fbi agent convicted of spying for the soviet union and later russia for more than two decades, and eric oneill, who worked as his assistant and helped bring about his downfall. Lesley stahl has learned that robert hanssen, the fbi agent who betrayed his country, also betrayed his church and his wife. Breach looks at the story through the eyes of eric oneill, the young, upandcoming junior agent assigned by investigators in the bureau to spy on hanssen. Aug 16, 2016 this is based on the real event of the fbi agent robert hanssen who provided the russians with top secret of the u. The video chronicles hanssen s life as a spy and attempts to explain why he became a traitor. Robert hanssen american law enforcement agent and spy. Find out where to watch, buy, and rent breach online on moviefone. Eric oneill phillippe is assigned to work with renowned operative robert hanssen cooper, the sole subject of a. What was the pen that robert hanssen kept touting in breach. The cast phillippe, cooper, laura linney, dennis haysbert, kathleen quinlan, caroline dhavernas, and others is firstrate, and every actor turns in a fine performance.
Jun 19, 2001 the public psychoanalysis of accused fbi spy robert hanssen has taken yet another turn. The robert hanssen story, with the teleplay by norman mailer and. Young agent eric oneill ryan phillippe is assigned to keep track of hanssen s movements. Mar 25, 20 read cnn s fast facts about convicted spy robert hanssen.
Breach is a very good film that quite competently tells the story of how oneill becomes the key figure in finally bringing robert hanssen to justice. She and her two lovers are suspects, but what about the stranger she met just before. Many wonder, how could a seemingly pious, dedicated and hardworking man be at. Breach is based on the true story of former 25 year veteran fbi intelligence agent robert hanssen. Assistant eric oneill right tells in his new book how he helped bring. Reallife fbi agent robert hanssen spent 22 years serving as a mole for the russians. This evening sean and i went to see the movie breach its based on the true story of fbi agent robert hanssen who served as a spy for russia and the soviet union for at least 15 years. Fbi application for arrest warrant for hanssen the movie breach and hollywoods take on espionage. Powered by chris coopers masterful performance, breach is a tense and. This is based on the real event of the fbi agent robert hanssen who provided the russians with top secret of the u. Determined to draw this suspected doubleagent out of deep cover, oneill finds himself in a lethal game of spy vs. This scene shows hanssen loading a dead drop while under surveillance from the fbis special surveillance group ssg and counterespionage. Breach dvd full frame true story movie chris cooper ryan.
764 693 421 1474 395 1318 56 1539 1092 920 122 223 565 156 71 894 496 883 881 1259 75 704 154 672 552 58 99 594 562 1469 73 762 1194 641 22 784 1462 1040 290 279 1243 1384 422 5 382 649