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Poster for The Russia House

The Russia House

Seen it?

1990 | 118 min | Drama, Thriller, Romance

Sunday Safe Bet

Why it’s a Sunday Safe Bet

It earned strong reviews (70% on Rotten Tomatoes), though it had a lukewarm 6.1 out of 10 from audiences and soft box office. A safe bet when you want something reliable.

Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.

Is it for you?

Who'll love it
Made for anyone who likes to be kept guessing and romantics. If you loved Bridge of Spies or The Bourne Ultimatum, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
The mood
Tense, warm and romantic.
The pace
Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 58 min.
What might put you off
  • Rated R: meant for adults.
  • Audiences were cooler on it than critics.

Barley Scott Blair, a Lisbon-based editor of Russian literature who unexpectedly begins working for British intelligence, is commissioned to investigate the purposes of Dante, a dissident scientist trapped in the decaying Soviet Union that is crumbling under the new open-minded policies.

How it earned its rating

  • CriticsStrong

    70% on Rotten Tomatoes, 67 on Metacritic

  • AudiencesBelow par

    6.1 out of 10

  • AwardsNot counted

    No major awards or nominations

  • Box office & staying powerBelow par

    $23 million worldwide on a $22 million budget; still draws a steady audience long after release

  • Buzz & cultural impactSolid

    About 85K people sought it out in the past year

Trailer

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Cast & crew

Directed by Fred Schepisi

  • Sean ConneryBartholomew 'Barley' Scott Blair
  • Michelle PfeifferKatya Orlova
  • Roy ScheiderRussell
  • James FoxNed
  • John MahoneyBrady
  • Michael KitchenClive
  • J.T. WalshColonel Quinn
  • Ken RussellWalter
  • David ThrelfallWicklow
  • Klaus Maria BrandauerDante