Defence of the Realm
| Defence of the Realm | |
|---|---|
| File:Defence of the realm.jpg | |
| Directed by | David Drury |
| Written by | Martin Stellman |
| Produced by | Robin Douet (producer) Lynda Myles David Puttnam(executive producer) |
| Starring | Gabriel Byrne Greta Scacchi Denholm Elliot Robbie Coltrane |
| Cinematography | Roger Deakins |
| Edited by | Michael Bradsell |
| Music by | Mike Figgis |
| Distributed by | Hemdale Film Corporation |
Release dates | September 6, 1986 |
Running time | 96 min. |
| Country | UK/USA |
| Language | English |
Defence of the Realm is a 1985 political thriller directed by David Drury. Starring Gabriel Byrne, Greta Scacchi, Denholm Elliot and Robbie Coltrane.
Set at the height of the Cold War in the 1980's this film examines the morality of a nation's secret services and the responsibility of journalistic investigations in an era of nuclear tensions and bureaucratic deceit. The film is reminiscent of other cold war thrillers such as Hidden Agenda, The Manchurian Candidate and Edge of Darkness.
The film takes it's title from the 1914 Defence of the Realm Act (DORA) which was passed at the start of the First World War in which the Government had executive powers to suppress criticism, imprison without trial and commandeer economic resources for the war effort.
Plot Summary
Following a near crash of a nuclear bomber at an American Air Force base in the English countryside, Dennis Markham (Ian Bannen), a prominent member of Parliament and opponent of the American's nuclear presence in the United Kingdom , is reported by a London paper to have been seen leaving a woman's home. When the woman is found to also be familiar with a dignitary from East Germany, his loyalty to his country is questioned, he is forced to resign, reminiscent of the 1963 Profumo Affair. The author of the newspaper exposé, Nick Mullen (Gabriel Byrne), continues his investigation with his colleague Vernon Bayliss (Denholm Elliott) who suspects that Markham is being framed for his views. 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 Markham's secretary, Nina Beckman (Greta Scacchi), Mullen continues to investigate the affair despite the best attempts of the British Government to stop him..
Miscellanea
- The film is credited with introducing Gabriel Byrne to an American audience
- This was Scottish actor Fulton Mackay's last appearance on film.
- Denholm Elliot won a BAFTA for best supporting actor.