Defence of the Realm (Defense of the Realm)

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100%

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Reviews Counted: 6

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Reviews Count: 0
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Average Rating: 3.3/5

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Movie Info

This fast-paced thriller examines the amorality of a nation's secret services and the responsibility of journalistic investigations in an era of nuclear tensions and bureaucratic deceit. The film examines an unspooling series of events occurring after a near crash of a nuclear bomber at an American Air Force base in the English countryside. When Dennis Markham (Ian Bannen), a well-respected member of Parliament, is reported by a London paper to have been seen leaving a woman's home, and the woman is found to also be familiar with a dignitary from East Germany, his loyalty to his country is questioned, and he is forced to resign. The author of the newspaper exposé, Nick Mullen (Gabriel Byrne), continues his investigation with his colleague Vernon Bayliss (Denholm Elliott). But when Vernon dies from a mysterious heart attack, Mullen suspects something deeper at work and finds evidence of a complex web of deceit concerning a secret Air Force base. With the help of Vernon's secretary, Nina Beckman (Greta Scacchi), Nick fights the dark forces in order to bring the truth to light.

Rating:

PG (adult situations/language, violence)
Genre:

Drama, Mystery & Suspense
Directed By:

David Drury
Written By:

Martin Stellman
In Theaters:

Jan 1, 1985 wide
On Disc/Streaming:

Jun 3, 2003
Runtime:

96 minutes
Studio:

Nelson Entertainment

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Cast

Gabriel Byrne
as Nicholas 'Nick' Mullen

Denholm Elliott
as Vernon Bayliss

Greta Scacchi
as Nina Beckman

Ian Bannen
as Dennis Markham

Fulton Mackay
as Victor Kingsbrook

Bill Paterson
as Jack Macleod

David Calder
as Harry Champion

Frederick Treves
as Arnold Reece

Robbie Coltrane
as Leo McAskey

Annabel Leventon
as Trudy Markham

Prentis Hancock
as Frank Longman

Michael Johnson
as Humphrey Channing

Mark Tandy
as Philip Henderson

Daniel Webb
as Danny Royce

Lyndon Brook
as Pugh

William Job
as Hilton

Oliver Ford Davies
as Anthony Clegg

Daniel Benzali
as Lt. Col. Lehane

Graham Fletcher-Cook
as Micky Parker

Steven Woodcock
as Steve Dyce

Beverley Anderson
as Newscaster

Harriet Bagnall
as Peace Girl

John Challis
as Challis

Alexei Jawdokimov
as Dietrich Kleist

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Critic Reviews for Defence of the Realm (Defense of the Realm)

All Critics (6) | Top Critics (1) | Fresh (6) | Rotten (0)

Mostly pleasing old-fashioned political thriller.

Oct 5, 2011 | Rating: B | Full Review…

Dennis Schwartz
Ozus' World Movie Reviews
There are marvelous performances by several British character actors, especially Denholm Elliott and Ian Bannen, and feelings of nerve-racking paranoia are evoked as a reporter, played by Gabriel Byrne, uncovers unexpected motives while investigating a Ca

Jun 14, 2007 | Rating: 4/5

Douglas Pratt
DVDLaser