Solemplex
To me, this movie is perfection.
Reptileenbu
Did you people see the same film I saw?
CrawlerChunky
In truth, there is barely enough story here to make a film.
Edwin
The storyline feels a little thin and moth-eaten in parts but this sequel is plenty of fun.
stangya sorensa
According to the dedication at the end,This film was shot in the offices of The Times and used that papers' staff; in 1986, the time it was shot, the paper's proprietor, Rupert "Dirty Digger" Murdoch had just a bruising year-long strike in which he chased the print unions off site; obviously a condition of being allowed to film was that the film not have an anti-Tory slant; this explains why the "evil" British Government in the film is a Labour government and the disgraced plotician is in the Labour Party; in reality there hadn't been a Labour government in UK since 1979. Murdoch obviously would only allow the film to be made if it attacked the Labour Party (at the time led by Neil Kinnock)
Leofwine_draca
DEFENCE OF THE REALM is a solid and engaging little British conspiracy thriller with much in common with Hollywood cinema. Sure, it's lower budgeted than those kind of films, and certain key scenes (like a plane crash) are excised through lack of funds to shoot them which makes it feel a little choppy in places. But this variously reminded me of the likes of THE CONVERSATION, ALL THE PRESIDENT'S MEN, and even the recent Oscar-winner SPOTLIGHT in its positing of dedicated journalists fighting against an oppressive and unseen foe.The film features Gabriel Byrne in his breakthrough role as a dedicated young journalist investigating a spy plot involving a government minister. The plot twists and turns throughout and I don't really want to say anything about it as that would spoil it. However, it's complex stuff and this is the kind of film that deserves, no, requires full attention, otherwise the viewer might be left feeling confused. There are fine suspense scenes, good twists, and lots of moments of creeping unease. The strong supporting cast includes roles for Robbie Coltrane, Denholm Elliott (particularly fine), Greta Scacchi, Fulton Mackay, Ian Bannen, and Bill Paterson.
didi-5
With a mouthwatering cast (Gabriel Byrne, Denholm Elliott, Fulton Mackay, David Calder, Ian Bannen, Greta Sacchi, etc.) this film promises a lot and more or less delivers. Set in a newsroom against the backdrop of political scandal and cover-ups, 'Defence of the Realm' keeps you watching and keeps you guessing.It is a shame that the ending is a bit of a let-down, coming far too abruptly and leaving the viewer cheated of a really tight finale. But it is a minor grumble, and although this film is far from a classic there is much to recommend it. And incidentally, good use of music at the moments where a bit of tension is needed.
LCShackley
According to IMDb, this movie was released in the USA in November of 1986, but I honestly don't recall hearing about it. I was drawn to it on cable this past week because it was a thriller and had a good cast; it was not a disappointment, but also not a classic.Gabriel Byrne holds the film together well as a journalist who ventures into dangerous waters whilst writing an expose of a supposedly corrupt politician (Ian Bannen). The supporting cast do a wonderful job, with a few observations: 1) Were some of Robbie Coltrane's scenes cut? His character comes and goes randomly. 2) Greta Scacchi doesn't really sizzle in this film as she has in others. 3) Even Oliver Ford Davies, who barely has a line, still impresses by his bureaucratic aura! This is one of the few 80s electronic film scores that I've heard recently which hasn't totally driven me mad after 10 minutes. It falls more in line with Jarre's classic WITNESS score; unobtrusive but effective. The sets and locations are wonderful. But it's a little tiresome to find out that the "McGuffin" is all about sinister Americans with their nasty nukes. Is that the best the scriptwriter could do? When I heard the first American accent I knew the Yanks were in for another cinematic whipping. But all in all, a thriller worth watching, even though you may resent the abrupt, explosive ending.
