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List Price: $14.98 | | Label: MGM (Video & DVD)
Salesrank: 38512
Released: June 3, 2003 |
| Our Price: $3.98 |
| Used Price: $4.95 |
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MPAA Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Media: DVD |
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Editorial Review:
"Taut, extremely entertaining" (Leonard Maltin) and laden with suspense, this fast-moving chiller stars Gabriel Byrne as a Cold War reporter who discovers that free speech comes at a deadly price. Co-starring Greta Scacchi and Denholm Elliott, Defense of the Realm is "electrifying, terrifying" and will leave you "limp from controlled tension" (Los Angeles Times)! When a tawdry sex scandal links a high-ranking British politician to a Russian KGB agent, ambitious newsman Nick Mullen (Byrne) swiftly gets the story on Page One. But when his scoop-of-the-decade begins to unravel the cover-up-of-the-century – involving military secrets, nuclear weapons and government murders – Mullen and the politician's beautiful secretary (Scacchi) finds themselves ensnared in a web of deadly intrigueÂ...where every move could be their last!
Description of Defense of the Realm:
In the politically charged atmosphere of Margaret Thatcher's Britain, newspaper reporters are hungry for the big story that will make them stars and their newspapers famous. Nick Mullen (Gabriel Byrne in his first starring role) is one such reporter for the London Daily Dispatch. A top member of Parliament (Ian Bannen) is the focus of the latest political scandal: he has been photographed with a prostitute who is known to have Russian contacts. Nick barrels into the scandal full-bore, despite warnings from his mentor (a deft Denholm Elliott). Nick receives a tip that makes his story a front-page item and he quickly becomes a celebrity himself. But as he soon discovers, there is much more to the story than he imagined. Director David Drury (Prime Suspect 3) keeps this highly complex, John le Carré-esque story moving swiftly. The clues are hard to find at times, but it is not because the story is told unclearly; rather, the filmmakers have decided that audiences can think for themselves and piece together the information along with Nick. An overlooked and truly entertaining thinking person's film. --Doug Thomas
Defense of the Realm Reviews:
Such A Shame...... 
2009-11-24 - Such a shame this movie could not have apent more time developing the storyline & in the process the various lead characters as in my opinion it comes the closest of any movie I have seen that tries to tell the truth about decision-making in the highest levels of government. The fact that various real-life events were referred to proved that this was not just another fictional thriller but someone trying to make a statement of reality concerning the situation as it actually is. However truthfully this reflects the state of affairs in Britain, it does also (& perhaps more so) for that of the US.
If more time & care had been taken with this film it would have been truly great. But since as with so many films it cut corners, I can only give it 4 stars.
When National Security is at risk, no-one stands in the way 
2009-02-26 - This could have been a plot for MI-5 (and probably was) but has an eery air of reality about it. Although the beginning of the film harks back to a 1960's scandal (no pun intended but see the movie Scandal), it has links with another recent movie, Bank Job.
There are similarities too, with the events of 1986, when US planes from a base in Britain bombed Libya.
This film is made with an all star cast and some compelling plots and sub-plots. The political links between newspaper proprietors and politicians and the British establishment are sketched out alluding to the covert meetings in gentleman's clubs. More sinister are the covert operations and the fine lines of distinction between the regular police and Britain's Security forces. It is hard not to think of the allegations of skullduggery surrounding the Princess Diana affair when the bombblast destroys the reporter's flat.
This thriller evokes a very suspense atmosphere which can almost be felt, particularly when the journalist is released from the clutches of the security forces after their interrogation into the chilly London dawn.
I could go on but would rather encourage others to watch this exceelent film.
"Trumpet Solitare for Gabriel"
2009-01-12 - This British political intrique is so fast-paced that you will have to watch in rapt attention so that you don't miss anything, or re-view. It is as entertaining as a movie can be. As a writer who has just finished writing a novel, I am always curious as to who could play the leads in my stories. Gabriel has an uncanny resemblence to my character--could this proud Irishman also emote the body language, timing and speech of my protagonist, an American historical figure? I have viewed as much of Gabe's filmography as I could over the last year and I am convinced he is THE ONE for my fantasy, time-travel,action adventure. He has quite a range, as I have discovered.
"Defense of the Realm" is one of my favorites from all his movies I have viewed. It is taut with innuendo and "what ifs" that occur as a result of his character's journalistic diggings into a political sex scandal. All of the players are very good as plots unravel before us.
Last night (1-11-09) Gabriel Byrne received a well-deserved Golden Globe. About time for this deserving, but somewhat obscure actor to be recognized.
Defence of the Realm
2008-05-09 - All about whistle blowing and why everyone should for a better world.
I like Gabriel Byrne and Greta Scacchi so I'm a little prejudiced. I guess this movie shows me up as a frustrated journalist.
I guess I would have done exactly what Gabriel Byrne did and suffer a similar fate.
A British movie with no screaming sirens, roaring helicopters and screeching tires. A break from Bruce Willis.
Very believable but beware of the ending.The Holcroft Covenant
fantastic cold war thriller
2008-03-02 - i love this movie. really captures the feeling of the early 80's when the cold war was in full swing. Gabriel Byrne, Denholm Elliot and Greta Scacchi are great. demonstrates the value of script and plotting vs explosions and car chases. pay attention because the plot is a little convoluted but all makes sense in the end. similar in feel to "All The President's Men" in that it is investigative journalism driven and plays on our fears of unseen forces and behind the scenes string pullers. highly recommended.
