Defence of the Realm

Defence of the Realm
For other uses, see Defence of the Realm (disambiguation).
Defence of the Realm
Directed by David Drury
Produced by Robin Douet (producer)
Lynda Myles
David Puttnam (executive producer)
Written by Martin Stellman
Starring Gabriel Byrne
Greta Scacchi
Denholm Elliott
Robbie Coltrane
Music by Richard Harvey
Cinematography Roger Deakins
Editing by Michael Bradsell
Distributed by Hemdale Film Corporation
Release date(s) January 1, 1985
Running time 96 min.
Country United Kingdom
United States
Language English

Defence of the Realm (US title Defense of the Realm) is a 1985 political thriller directed by David Drury. Starring Gabriel Byrne, Greta Scacchi and Denholm Elliott. The film also featured Robbie Coltrane.

The film takes its title from the 1914 Defence of the Realm Act (DORA), passed in the United Kingdom at the start of the First World War, which gave the Government executive powers to suppress criticism, imprison without trial and commandeer economic resources for the war effort.

Plot summary

Following a crash of a nuclear bomber at an American Air Force base in the English countryside, Dennis Markham (Ian Bannen), a prominent member of Parliament and opponent of the American nuclear presence in the United Kingdom, is reported by a London paper to have been seen leaving a woman's home. When the woman is found to also be familiar with a dignitary from East Germany, his loyalty to his country is questioned, he is hounded by the media and is forced to resign: a case reminiscent of the 1963 Profumo Affair.

The author of the newspaper exposé, Nick Mullen (Gabriel Byrne), continues his work with colleague Vernon Bayliss (Denholm Elliott) who suspects that Markham is being framed for his views. When Vernon dies from a mysterious 'heart attack', Mullen suspects something deeper at work and finds evidence of a complex cover up concerning a near nuclear accident and a secret US Air Force base. With the help of Markham's secretary, Nina Beckman (Greta Scacchi), Mullen continues to investigate the affair despite the best attempts of the British Government to stop him.

Awards

  • Denholm Elliott won a BAFTA for best supporting actor.

External links


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