The Good Shepherd Ending Explained, Plot, Cast, Release Date, Where To Watch, And More
by M Nishali
Updated Jan 19, 2024
The Good Shepherd
"The Good Shepherd" is a spy film released in 2006, directed by Robert De Niro and starring Matt Damon, Angelina Jolie, and De Niro himself. The movie, while fictional, is loosely inspired by the life of James Jesus Angleton and is centered around the early days of counterintelligence in the CIA.
Matt Damon's character, Edward Wilson, navigates through the complex world of espionage, sacrificing personal relationships for loyalty to his country. The film explores the challenges and moral dilemmas Wilson faces in his role. Despite receiving mixed reviews, "The Good Shepherd" achieved commercial success, grossing $100 million against its $80 million production budget.
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The Good Shepherd Ending Explained
In the ending of "The Good Shepherd," senior CIA officer Edward Wilson faces the consequences of a life dedicated to espionage. After discovering his son's involvement in a covert operation, Wilson rejects an offer to become a double agent, choosing loyalty to his country over family. As tensions with the Soviet Union rise, Wilson's personal relationships crumble, leading to tragic events, including the death of his son's lover, Miriam.
The film concludes with Wilson accepting a key role in the CIA's counterintelligence division. In a poignant moment, he decides to read his father's long-avoided suicide note, revealing his father's admission of betrayal and a plea for decency and truth. The ending reflects the heavy toll of a life in the shadows, marked by sacrifice, moral complexities, and the pursuit of truth in the world of espionage.
The Good Shepherd Plot
"The Good Shepherd" follows the life of Edward Wilson, a senior CIA officer, from the Bay of Pigs invasion in 1961 to the formation of the CIA's counterintelligence division. Facing suspicions of a mole in the CIA, Wilson's journey takes us through World War II espionage, his initiation into Yale's Skull and Bones fraternity, and complex relationships with Laura and Clover.
As he advances in the intelligence world, Wilson grapples with betrayals, family conflicts, and moral dilemmas. The story peaks when he discovers his son's involvement in covert operations, leading to a poignant ending where Wilson, after rejecting a double agent offer, decides to finally read his father's long-avoided suicide note. The film explores themes of loyalty, sacrifice, and the blurred lines between truth and deception in the realm of espionage.
The Good Shepherd Cast
Matt Damon
Edward Wilson Sr.
Angelina Jolie
Margaret "Clover" Russell Wilson
Robert De Niro
General Bill Sullivan
Alec Baldwin
FBI Agent Sam Murach
William Hurt
CIA Director Philip Allen
Joe Pesci
Joseph Palmi
John Turturro
Ray Brocco
Billy Crudup
Archibald "Arch" Cummings
Tammy Blanchard
Laura
Michael Gambon
Dr. Fredericks
Timothy Hutton
Admiral Thomas Wilson
John Sessions
Valentin Mironov #1 / Yuri Modin
Keir Dullea
Senator John Russell Sr.
Martina Gedeck
Hanna Schiller
Gabriel Macht
John Russell Jr.
Lee Pace
Deputy Director Richard Hayes
Eddie Redmayne
Older Edward Wilson Jr.
Tommy Nelson
Edward Jr. - Age 6-7
Mark Ivanir
Valentin Mironov #2
Oleg Stefan
Stas Siyanko / Ulysses
Liya Kebede
Miriam
Actor
Character
The Good Shepherd Release Date
"The Good Shepherd," a spy film directed by Robert De Niro, was released on December 22, 2006. Set against the backdrop of the Cold War, the movie explores the fictionalized history of the Central Intelligence Agency's birth. Starring Matt Damon, Angelina Jolie, and De Niro himself, the film delves into the world of espionage, counterintelligence, and the moral dilemmas faced by CIA officer Edward Wilson, played by Damon.
Despite a mixed reception from critics, "The Good Shepherd" managed to gross $100 million worldwide, surpassing its estimated $80 million production budget. The movie's release marked a cinematic journey into the intricacies of intelligence operations, providing audiences with a glimpse into the secretive realm of Cold War espionage.
Where To Watch The Good Shepherd?
Viewers can currently find "The Good Shepherd" on various streaming platforms. The movie can be available for rent in the platforms like Google Play, iTunes, Amazon, and Vudu. While efforts are made to add new providers constantly, the film's availability might change.
The Good Shepherd Ending Explained - FAQs
In the ending, CIA officer Edward Wilson grapples with the fallout of espionage. Rejecting a double agent offer and choosing loyalty, he joins the CIA's counterintelligence. The film closes as Wilson, after years of avoidance, reads his father's suicide note, uncovering a plea for decency and truth.
"The Good Shepherd" was released on December 22, 2006.
The film revolves around the early days of counterintelligence in the CIA, exploring the life of senior CIA officer Edward Wilson, played by Matt Damon.
The film was directed by Robert De Niro.
"The Good Shepherd" is available on various streaming platforms.