
Defence of the Realm
Seen it?1986 | 96 min | Action, Thriller
Why it’s a Sunday Safe Bet
Critics loved it (100% on Rotten Tomatoes), though it had soft box office and little lasting buzz. 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 action fans. If you loved Foreign Correspondent, start here.
- The mood
- Tense.
- The pace
- Fast-moving, at 1 hr 36 min.
- What might put you off
- Rated PG. Worth a look first if you have very young kids.
A reporter named Mullen 'stumbles' onto a story linking a prominent Member of Parliament to a KGB agent and a near-nuclear disaster involving a teenage runaway and a U.S. Air Force base. Has there been a Government cover-up? Mullen teams up with Vernon Bayliss, an old hack, and Nina Beckam, the MP's assistant, to find out the truth.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsVery strong
100% on Rotten Tomatoes
- AudiencesNot counted
Not measured yet: not enough ratings
- AwardsNot counted
No major awards or nominations
- Box office & staying powerBelow par
$750K worldwide; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactBelow par
About 18K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
More like this
The Hunting PartyWeeknight WatchAnother spy action film, though it's more of a weeknight watch.
Foreign CorrespondentFriday Night FlickAnother critically acclaimed thriller that fewer people know today.
My SpyWeeknight WatchAnother spy action film, though it's more of a weeknight watch.
State of PlaySunday Safe BetAnother thriller, and a safe bet for a quiet night.
Harley Davidson and the Marlboro ManMonday Morning MaybeAnother action film. Fair warning: it's a Monday Morning Maybe.
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Cast & crew
Directed by David Drury
- Gabriel ByrneNicholas 'Nick' Mullen
- Greta ScacchiNina Beckman
- Denholm ElliottVernon Bayliss
- Ian BannenDennis Markham
- Fulton MackayVictor Kingsbrook
- Bill PatersonJack Macleod
- David CalderHarry Champion
- Frederick TrevesArnold Reece
- Robbie ColtraneLeo McAskey
- Steven WoodcockSteven Dyce