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Defense of the Realm

Original title: Defence of the Realm
  • 19851985
  • PGPG
  • 1h 36m
IMDb RATING
6.5/10
2.2K
YOUR RATING
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Defence of the Realm (1985)
After a newspaper reporter helps expose a Member of Parliament as a possible spy, he finds that there's much more to the story than that.
Play trailer1:27
1 Video
31 Photos
  • Thriller
After a newspaper reporter helps expose a Member of Parliament as a possible spy, he finds that there's much more to the story than that.After a newspaper reporter helps expose a Member of Parliament as a possible spy, he finds that there's much more to the story than that.After a newspaper reporter helps expose a Member of Parliament as a possible spy, he finds that there's much more to the story than that.
IMDb RATING
6.5/10
2.2K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • David Drury
  • Writer
    • Martin Stellman
  • Stars
    • Gabriel Byrne
    • Greta Scacchi
    • Denholm Elliott
Top credits
  • Director
    • David Drury
  • Writer
    • Martin Stellman
  • Stars
    • Gabriel Byrne
    • Greta Scacchi
    • Denholm Elliott
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 32User reviews
    • 13Critic reviews
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Won 1 BAFTA Award
      • 7 wins & 2 nominations total

    Videos1

    Trailer
    Trailer 1:27
    Trailer

    Photos31

    Defence of the Realm (1985)
    Defence of the Realm (1985)
    Defence of the Realm (1985)
    Gabriel Byrne and Greta Scacchi in Defence of the Realm (1985)
    Gabriel Byrne and Denholm Elliott in Defence of the Realm (1985)
    Ian Bannen and Annabel Leventon in Defence of the Realm (1985)
    Ian Bannen and Denholm Elliott in Defence of the Realm (1985)
    Denholm Elliott in Defence of the Realm (1985)
    Gabriel Byrne in Defence of the Realm (1985)
    Ian Bannen in Defence of the Realm (1985)
    Greta Scacchi in Defence of the Realm (1985)
    Gabriel Byrne and Greta Scacchi in Defence of the Realm (1985)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Gabriel Byrne
    Gabriel Byrne
    • Nicholas 'Nick' Mullenas Nicholas 'Nick' Mullen
    Greta Scacchi
    Greta Scacchi
    • Nina Beckmanas Nina Beckman
    Denholm Elliott
    Denholm Elliott
    • Vernon Baylissas Vernon Bayliss
    Ian Bannen
    Ian Bannen
    • Dennis Markhamas Dennis Markham
    Fulton Mackay
    Fulton Mackay
    • Victor Kingsbrookas Victor Kingsbrook
    Bill Paterson
    Bill Paterson
    • Jack Macleodas Jack Macleod
    David Calder
    David Calder
    • Harry Championas Harry Champion
    Frederick Treves
    Frederick Treves
    • Arnold Reeceas Arnold Reece
    Robbie Coltrane
    Robbie Coltrane
    • Leo McAskeyas Leo McAskey
    Annabel Leventon
    Annabel Leventon
    • Trudy Markhamas Trudy Markham
    Graham Fletcher-Cook
    Graham Fletcher-Cook
    • Micky Parkeras Micky Parker
    Steven Woodcock
    • Steven Dyceas Steven Dyce
    Alexei Jawdokimov
    • Dietrich Kleistas Dietrich Kleist
    Danny Webb
    Danny Webb
    • Danny Royceas Danny Royce
    • (as Daniel Webb)
    Prentis Hancock
    Prentis Hancock
    • Frank Longmanas Frank Longman
    Michael Johnson
    • Humphrey Channingas Humphrey Channing
    Mark Tandy
    Mark Tandy
    • Philip Hendersonas Philip Henderson
    Nicholas Coppin
    • First Newsroom Deputyas First Newsroom Deputy
    • Director
      • David Drury
    • Writer
      • Martin Stellman
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
    • All cast & crew

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Gabriel Byrne once said of his scene-stealing co-star in this film "never act with children, dogs, or Denholm Elliott!"
    • Goofs
      While details are secret, it is generally assumed that a nuclear weapon has to be 'armed' before it would explode.

      It would be absurd to have bombs in an aircraft that would wipe out the entire airbase if an aircraft crashed on landing.
    • Quotes

      Vernon Bayliss: Vodka and Coca-Cola. Detente in a glass!

    • Crazy credits
      The research done for this film is shown by the acknowledgment at the end of the credits: "The Producers wish to thank the STAFF and MANAGEMENT of THE TIMES NEWSPAPERS FOR THEIR HELP."
    • Connections
      Featured in At the Movies: Heartbreak Ridge/Solarbabies/Little Shop of Horrors/Defense of the Realm (1986)
    • Soundtracks
      Passion Chorale
      (uncredited)

      Music by Johann Sebastian Bach

    User reviews32

    Review
    Top review
    6/10
    So-so, bit hard to follow
    It seemed quite promising, but was hard to follow in places, not helped by one or two outdoor scenes not transforming well onto a TV screen. I'd recorded it, so on several occasions was able to rewind to have another go at understanding it. It might help if I was to watch the entire film again from start to finish, but I can't be bothered. As I understand it, a youth fleeing from the police clambers over a very nasty looking fence onto the runway of an American air base and gets killed by an aircraft that's landing with a nuclear bomb on board. This precipitates an emergency exodus from the base. Cue cover-up, investigated by local MP who gets set up, leading to investigation by reporter.

    Byrne does well as the reporter, but as is often the case Denholm Elliott impresses the most. Greta Scacchi is very bland.
    helpful•13
    7
    • Marlburian
    • Jan 11, 2006

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • November 21, 1986 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United Kingdom
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Button - Im Sumpf der Atommafia
    • Filming locations
      • Haddenham, Buckinghamshire, England, UK
    • Production companies
      • The Rank Organisation
      • National Film Finance Corporation (NFFC)
      • Enigma Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $750,000
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $19,938
      • Nov 23, 1986
    • Gross worldwide
      • $750,000
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 36 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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