In 1901 master spy Sidney Reilly (Sam Neill) involves a minister's wife in scandal during an escape from the Russian oil fields of Persia.

Sidney Reilly passes on information that enables the Japanese fleet to sink the Russian Pacific Squadron.

Reilly is sent on a mission to a German armaments factory to obtain the plans of a naval gun.

Reilly finds himself in competition with the Rothschilds to buy Edwards D'Arcy's Persion Oil concession.

Reilly befriends a Russian minister who could help secure a desirable contract.

Sidney proceeds with his byzantine plan to get Count Massino to approve his German contract.