Defence of the Realm

Defence of the Realm

Year: 1985

Runtime: 96 mins

Language: English

Director: David Drury

ActionThriller

Reporter Mullen uncovers a scandal linking a senior MP to a KGB operative and a near‑nuclear incident involving a teenage runaway and a U.S. Air Force base. Suspecting a cover‑up, he joins veteran journalist Vernon Bayliss and the MP’s aide Nina Beckam, putting them in the crosshairs of powerful forces desperate to keep the truth hidden.

Defence of the Realm (1985) – Spoiler-Free Movie Summary & Plot Overview

Get a spoiler-free look at Defence of the Realm (1985) with a clear plot overview that covers the setting, main characters, and story premise—without revealing key twists or the ending. Perfect for deciding if this film is your next watch.

In a Britain still trembling from the Cold‑War’s shadow, the corridors of power mingle with the clatter of a bustling newsroom, and every headline feels like a barometer of national anxiety. The country’s political landscape is a delicate tapestry of public scrutiny and hidden alliances, while an uneasy alliance between the United Kingdom and an American air force presence hints at dangers that lie just beyond the public eye. The film’s tone is a taut blend of journalistic urgency and atmospheric suspense, where rain‑slick streets and fog‑filled offices become silent witnesses to a story that refuses to stay buried.

Nick Mullen, an ambitious reporter with a nose for the truth, finds himself drawn into a scandal that could upend the very foundations of the establishment. His instinct tells him that the surface narrative—rumours of a senior lawmaker’s nocturnal rendezvous—mask something far more consequential. Partnering with a seasoned veteran of investigative journalism, Vernon Bayliss, Mullen navigates a world where sources are scarce, loyalties shift, and the act of asking questions can be as perilous as the answers they seek.

Dennis Markham, a prominent Member of Parliament, becomes the focal point of a media firestorm when whispers link him to an enigmatic foreign operative. Alongside him, his diligent aide Nina Beckam provides access to the inner circles of political intrigue, while also confronting the weight of what might be concealed beneath official narratives. Their interactions offer a glimpse into the personal dimensions of power, where public image and private ambition intersect in unsettling ways.

Against this backdrop, the trio senses an unseen force—an amalgam of governmental authority, intelligence agencies, and corporate interests—determined to keep the delicate balance untouched. The film sustains a palpable tension, suggesting that the pursuit of truth may not only threaten careers but also stir forces capable of reshaping the nation’s security landscape. The atmosphere remains charged with curiosity, inviting the audience to wonder how far the shadows reach and what might emerge when the press finally pierces the veil.

Last Updated: December 04, 2025 at 15:52

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Paranoid Journalism Thrillers like Defence of the Realm

Investigative reporters uncovering dangerous truths that powerful forces want buried.If you liked the tense, investigative atmosphere of Defence of the Realm, explore more movies where journalists risk everything to expose a conspiracy. These films share a mood of paranoia, a steady, methodical pace, and a heavy emotional weight, perfect for fans of gripping political thrillers.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative follows a protagonist, often a journalist or an outsider, who peels back layers of a cover-up through methodical research and risky source meetings. The deeper they go, the more they are isolated and threatened, creating a rising arc of personal danger that mirrors the uncovering of institutional deceit. The endings are often morally complex or ambiguous, leaving the systemic corruption largely intact.

Why These Movies?

These movies are grouped by their shared focus on the investigative process, a pervasive tone of paranoia, and the central theme of a lone individual confronting a monolithic, corrupt system. They deliver a specific kind of intellectual tension where the weapon is information, but the cost is often unbearably high.

Bleak Political Conspiracies like Defence of the Realm

Stories where uncovering a dark truth reveals a system too corrupt to defeat.For viewers who appreciated the heavy themes and ambiguous ending of Defence of the Realm, this section collects movies with similar bleak political conspiracies. Discover complex thrillers about government cover-ups and corruption of power that leave a lasting sense of cynicism and unresolved tension.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern involves a protagonist gradually piecing together a web of deception that implicates high-level officials or institutions. The conflict escalates from a simple mystery to a life-threatening confrontation with an untouchable entity. The journey is emotionally draining, and the resolution typically sees a pyrrhic victory—the truth may come out, but the cost is immense and the corrupt system remains largely unchallenged.

Why These Movies?

These films are united by their complex plots involving high-stakes cover-ups, a consistently tense and dark tone, and emotionally heavy conclusions that question the possibility of real change. They appeal to viewers who enjoy morally grey stories where the fight against corruption is a dangerous and often thankless endeavor.

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Defence of the Realm Summary

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Defence of the Realm Summary

Defence of the Realm Timeline

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Defence of the Realm Timeline

Characters, Settings & Themes in Defence of the Realm

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Defence of the Realm

More About Defence of the Realm

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