Stars: Gabriel Byrne, Greta Scacchi, Denholm Elliott, Ian Bannen, Fulton Mackay, Bill Paterson

Director: David Drury

Summary: Nick Mullen, a young reporter for a national daily newspaper, is beginning to drift into a cynical and bored routine when he suddenly stumbles across a political cover-up. With the aid of his colleague Vernon and his attractive secretary Nina, Nick sets out on a dangerous journey to uncover hidden truths.

DEFENCE OF THE REALM is a gripping thriller that stars Gabriel Byrne, Greta Scacchi, and Denholm Elliott. Nick Mullen (Byrne), a young reporter for a national daily newspaper, is beginning to drift into a cynical and bored routine when he suddenly stumbles across a political cover-up. With the aid of his colleague, Vernon (Elliott), and his attractive secretary, Nina (Scacchi), Nick sets out on a dangerous journey to uncover hidden truths.

WIN DVDs by rating this DVD

Average User Rating:

WIN DVDS by being amongst the first to review this DVD. Reviewing DVDs earns you bonus entries and lets you WIN DVDs!Please login before reviewing this DVD. If you're a new user, register for free and enter to WIN FREE DVDs!

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. Defence of the Realmoverlooked and truly entertaining thinking person's film. --Doug Thomas

Aspect Ratio:	4:3 Full Frame
Main Language:	English
Region:	Region 2
Special Features:	Interactive Menus, Scene Access
Year:	1985
Release Date:	October 11, 1999
Runtime:	91 minutes
Certification:
Catalogue Number:	37115 00153
Label:	Silver Collection
Keywords:	Defence, General, Realm, Thriller
Genre:	Thriller