| The Good Shepherd | |
|---|---|
&sq=Qlik&lang=&file=File:GoodShepherdBigPoster.jpg) Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Robert De Niro |
| Written by | Eric Roth |
| Produced by |
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| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Robert Richardson |
| Edited by | Tariq Anwar |
| Music by | |
Production companies | |
| Distributed by | Universal Pictures (North America and select international territories) Morgan Creek International (International) |
Release date |
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Running time | 167 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $80 million[1] |
| Box office | $100.3 million |
The Good Shepherd is a 2006 American spy film produced and directed by Robert De Niro and starring Matt Damon, Angelina Jolie, and De Niro, with an extensive supporting cast. Although it is fictional, loosely based on events in the life of James Jesus Angleton, it is advertised as telling the history of the birth of counterintelligence in the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).
Edward Wilson (played by Damon), a senior CIA officer, discovers a mole in his department following the disastrous Bay of Pigs invasion in 1961. The film delves into Wilson's complex life, starting from his college years at Yale University in 1939, his initiation into the Skull and Bones fraternity, and his recruitment into intelligence work during World War II. His personal life is marked by a strained marriage to Margaret "Clover" Russell, played by Jolie, and a series of affairs that underscore the sacrifices and moral compromises inherent in espionage work. The narrative unfolds through a mix of present-day events and flashbacks, exploring the origins of the CIA, Wilson's involvement in key historical events, and the personal toll of a life dedicated to secrecy and intelligence. The film features an ensemble cast including Alec Baldwin, William Hurt, Joe Pesci, and John Turturro, among others. "The Good Shepherd" is a fictionalized account of the early days of the CIA, blending historical facts with dramatic elements to explore the complexity of intelligence work, and its impact on individual lives.
The film was released on December 22, 2006, to mixed reviews. It grossed $100 million against an estimated $80 million production budget.
- ^ Simon Dang (May 29, 2009). "Robert De Niro Talks Plans For A 'Good Shepherd' Trilogy". The Playlist. Archived from the original on June 21, 2020. Retrieved June 19, 2020.