OSS 117: Cairo, Nest of Spies 2008

The film opens with a striking black-and-white prologue titled “BERLIN 1945,” showcasing Hubert Bonisseur de La Bath (OSS 117) and his partner-in-arms Jack Jefferson as they seize control of a Nazi aircraft, successfully recovering stolen V2 plans from the clutches of tyranny. As the credits roll, the story transitions to Rome several years later, where de La Bath finds himself entangled in a secret rendezvous with the mysterious Princess Al Tarouk from Egypt. She instructs him to deliver an envelope filled with enigmatic photographs to his superiors in Paris.

Upon reaching the City of Light, de La Bath discovers the harrowing details of Jack’s demise as he reflects on their past friendship through a series of poignant flashbacks. His superiors quickly send him to Cairo, where he is charged with investigating the strange disappearances of an OSS agent and a Soviet cargo ship laden with arms. Set against the backdrop of the brewing Suez Crisis, the atmosphere in Cairo is rife with tension as radical factions like the “Eagle of Keops” create turmoil. Adopting the guise of a poultry wholesaler, he finds himself caught in a labyrinth of deceit surrounding the vanishing incidents of both Jack and the cargo ship. A former associate of Jack’s, Larmina, plays a crucial role as his contact in this complex mission.

At a high-stakes party at the embassy, Larmina introduces de La Bath to three influential livestock tycoons — Moeller, Pelletier, and Setine. The tension in the room thickens when a British spy attempts to reveal critical information about Jack’s death, only to fall victim to a hooded assassin before de La Bath can intercede. As the plot thickens, de La Bath must navigate a world fraught with espionage and betrayal while confronting his own tumultuous past.

As night descends, the haunting melodies of the muezzin’s call to prayer disrupt de La Bath’s fitful sleep, prompting an explosive confrontation at the nearby mosque. Frustrated, he storms the tower and berates the muezzin for disturbing his peace, taking over the microphone to vent his anger to the city. This brazen act incites fervent religious fanatics, led by a passionate Imam, who rally for a revolt in response to his sacrilegious audacity.

Larmina’s disapproval of de La Bath’s mocking attitude towards Egypt escalates, ultimately leading her to betray him by conspiring with the Eagles of Keops, aiming to take him captive. Brutally beaten by his captors, de La Bath is tossed into the perilous Suez Canal but manages to escape, emerging with a newfound zest for life. As tensions rise, Setine, a cunning Russian spy, orchestrates a brazen attack on de La Bath at a steam bath. Increasingly suspicious of her true intentions, de La Bath realizes she may be connected to the essential arms shipments that have gone missing.

In a thrilling tale of espionage, de La Bath is drawn into a dangerous trap by Moeller, a Nazi sympathizer who is keen on locating the lost arms shipment. This leads him to a secret Nazi stronghold concealed within the ancient pyramid’s walls. Displaying both wit and resourcefulness, de La Bath flips the situation in his favor, outsmarting his captors. Confronting Larmina next, he vindicates himself by revealing the Eagles’ role in her father’s tragic death, thus regaining her trust.

Now enlightened, Larmina uncovers that the Imam has been covertly negotiating to purchase the missing arms shipment for the Eagles, setting the stage for their next move against the forces threatening Cairo. As they approach the fishing dock to intervene, an unexpected skirmish at a chicken coop complicates matters when Pelletier appears, bent on eliminating de La Bath and taking control of the poultry industry.

At the dock, a shocking twist unfolds when Jack, very much alive, unveils himself as the hooded figure behind the British spy’s murder at the embassy. It becomes apparent that Jack has been clandestinely trafficking arms to the Eagles, and shortly thereafter, Al Tarouk confronts him, accusing him of betrayal.

In a rapidly escalating confrontation that culminates in violence, Jack’s life is claimed in the ensuing struggle. Amidst the chaos, Larmina seizes the opportunity to incapacitate the Imam with a well-timed strike, while de La Bath reflects on his friendship with Jack, caught in a nostalgic reverie.

The showdown reaches a culmination when Larmina and Al Tarouk engage in a fierce, chaotic battle, stripping away their clothing as they fight for supremacy. Enthralled by the dramatic spectacle, de La Bath observes as Al Tarouk gains the upper hand, scrambling to retrieve her weapon. Desperate to halt the unfolding violence, de La Bath’s impulsive instincts lead to a tragic mistake, resulting in Al Tarouk’s death.

With the arms shipment destroyed and immediate threats neutralized, de La Bath and Larmina share a passionate kiss, signifying a moment of connection amid the disarray. Back in Paris, his superiors commend de La Bath for his success and set their sights on Iran, hinting at the true challenges yet to come.