Rent Defence of the Realm (1985)

Sleeper - Defence of the Realm review by RD

Defence of the Realm is a real sleeper. It has a cast that most people would die for, including the underrated Byrne as the lead but most importantly it's in many ways an old fashioned thriller. Despite the 80s action-thriller boom, this eschews action for plot and for character. It's not perfect though, the main offender being the film has a bizarre 80s soundtrack that doesn't really fit with the film but otherwise I've always felt this to film to be a real diamond in the rough.

Superb British Political Thriller - Defence of the Realm review by GI

A rare treat, a British political thriller with a noir style and the break out film of star, Gabriel Byrne. Made at the height of the Thatcher years this neat, tense film captures the paranoia of the times with increased Government activity against anyone they considered subversive. Byrne plays an investigative journalist, Nick, who breaks a story about a high profile politician (Ian Bannen) and his links with a KGB agent. Applauded by his bosses and forcing the politician to resign Nick rides high even though his fellow reporter and an old friend of the politician, Vernon (Denholm Elliott, in a BAFTA award winning performance) tells him his story is wrong. When Vernon dies mysteriously Nick investigates further and uncovers a conspiracy involving an American nuclear airbase and the death of a young boy. This film will appeal to anyone who loved the British TV series, Edge Of Darkness, as they both tap into the idea of a sinister surveillance culture within the UK. There is little onscreen violence but the film twists and turns creating a sense of dread as Nick becomes more aware of being watched and targeted. Great cast that includes Greta Scacchi, Fulton Mackay, Bill Paterson and Robbie Coltrane. A forgotten gem and a film well worth seeking out.

Elliott Shines - But Too Briefly. - Defence of the Realm review by NC

The cast brought me here. Any film with Denholm Elliott, Ian Bannen and Bill Patterson can't be all bad. Add to that the ultra-reliable Frederick Treves and Fulton Mackay and surely there must be something worth watching. Alas and alack, all that talent have bit parts only. Elliott, immense when on the screen, is killed off early, and the film becomes far less watchable from then on. I can't help thinking that an almighty trick has been missed by making the film a vehicle for the younger, lesser talent of Gabriel Byrne rather than one of Britain's finest ever actors.

Slickly done, and there are brief moments of joy at the start when Elliott and Bannen are together, but ultimately it's a conspiracy thriller which fails to thrill very much, involving people you're not given a chance to care about very much. Greta Scacchi appears presumably because someone realised there was such a thing as females on the planet, and so hastily concocted a role for one.