Defence of the Realm (Defense of the Realm) poster & wallpaper
Get movie widget Recommend it Add to Favorites

Gabriel Byrne, Greta Scacchi, Denholm Elliott, Ian Bannen, Fulton Mackay ... see more see more... , Bill Paterson , David Calder , Frederick Treves , Robbie Coltrane , Daniel Benzali , Lyndon Brook , Graham Fletcher-Cook , Oliver Ford Davies , Alexei Jawdokimov , William Job , Annabel Leventon , Mark Tandy , Daniel Webb , Michael Johnson , Beverley Anderson , Harriet Bagnall , John Challis , Prentis Hancock , Steven Woodcock

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 exam... read more read more...ines 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. ~ Paul Brenner, Rovi

Flixster Users

60% liked it

985 ratings

Critics

100% liked it

6 critics

PG, 1 hr. 36 min.

Directed by: David Drury

Release Date: January 1, 1985

Invite friends to see

DVD Release Date: June 3, 2003

Stats: 46 reviews

report incorrect info

Photos

Defence of the Realm (Defense of the Realm)
Upload a Photo | View All Defence of the Realm (Defense of the Realm) Photos

Your Rating


clear rating

Flixster Reviews (46)

  • DS291284
    September 10, 2007
    DS291284
    A political thriller with both Byrne and Scacchi giving good performances as journalists investigating a political scandal that gets them into more trouble than they bargained for. The story is indeed complex, requiring an attentive viewer seeking food for thought rather than a v... read moreiewer in search of only entertaining thrills (though the suspense scene at the elevator is indeed nerve-wracking). Others may be turned off by its literal, fact-based approach that gives more intellectual thrills than visceral thrills, but fans of such films as "All the President's Men", "Breach", and "Shattered Glass" will enjoy this film immensely!

View All Defence of the Realm (Defense of the Realm) Reviews

Critic Reviews

Dennis Schwartz
October 5, 2011
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews

Mostly pleasing old-fashioned political thriller. Full Review

Douglas Pratt
June 14, 2007
Douglas Pratt, DVDLaser

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 Byrn...

March 26, 2009
Variety

Click to read the article Full Review

Vincent Canby
May 20, 2003
Vincent Canby, New York Times

Click to read the article Full Review

Pat Graham
January 1, 2000
Pat Graham, Chicago Reader

Click to read the article Full Review

Rita Kempley
January 1, 2000
Rita Kempley, Washington Post

Click to read the article Full Review

Roger Ebert
January 1, 2000
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

Click to read the article Full Review

Paul Attanasio
January 1, 2000
Paul Attanasio, Washington Post

Click to read the article Full Review

Emanuel Levy
November 12, 2004
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com

No review available.

Carol Cling
May 14, 2004
Carol Cling, Las Vegas Review-Journal

No review available.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Cast

More Like This

Click a thumb to vote on that suggestion, or add your own suggestions.

  • The Odyssey
    The Odyssey (100%)
  • The Parallax View
    The Parallax View (100%)

More Movies like Defence of the Realm (Defense of the Realm)

Facts

No facts approved yet. Be the first

Defence of the Re... : Watch Free on TV

Defence of the Realm (Defense of the Realm) Trivia

Movie Quizzes

No quizzes for Defence of the Realm (Defense of the Realm). Want to create one?

Video Clips

No video clips yet. Want to upload one?

Meet Other Fans

Add Defence of the Realm (Defense of the Realm) to favorites

Recent News

No recent headlines. Got one?

Recent Lists

Make a List |

View All Lists

Most Popular Skin

No skins yet. Interested in creating one?