Salting the Battlefield

Salting the Battlefield

Year: 2014

Runtime: 93 mins

Language: English

Director: David Hare

CrimeDramaAction

David Hare completes his trilogy about MI5 renegade Johnny Worricker with this film. Johnny Worricker goes on the run with Margot Tyrell, evading capture as the authorities close in. Knowing he can’t escape his past, he decides his only option is to return to Britain and directly confront Prime Minister Alec Beasley, hoping to resolve the complex situation he finds himself in.

Salting the Battlefield (2014) – Spoiler-Free Movie Summary & Plot Overview

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In a world where the corridors of power are as opaque as the streets they occupy, Johnny Worricker finds himself cast out from the very agency that once defined him. A seasoned MI5 operative turned renegade, he carries the weight of secrets that could upend the fragile equilibrium of British politics. Beside him stands Margot Tyrell, a sharp‑witted ally whose loyalty and resourcefulness match his own, forming a partnership that is both a lifeline and a flashpoint as they evade the endless gaze of the security services.

The film unfolds against a backdrop of sleek European cities and the looming shadow of London’s intelligence complex, blending the cool detachment of a political thriller with the palpable tension of a man on the run. The tone is a careful balance of weary cynicism and lingering hope, inviting the audience to feel the strain of a life lived in perpetual concealment. As the authorities close in, the duo must navigate a maze of surveillance, hidden agendas, and the ever‑present threat of being drawn back into the very system they fled.

Amid this chase, Prime Minister Alec Beasley represents the ultimate embodiment of the establishment that Worricker once served. The decision to confront the Prime Minister directly signals a desperate gamble, a move that blurs the lines between personal redemption and political reckoning. The story promises a tight‑knit, atmospheric exploration of duty versus conscience, where every fleeting escape and whispered conversation hints at larger forces at play, leaving the viewer questioning where loyalty ends and survival begins.

Last Updated: September 24, 2025 at 05:01

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Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Spy dramas with bittersweet endings like Salting the Battlefield

Weary intelligence operatives trading personal happiness for a final, necessary victory.If you liked the weary resolve and strategic maneuvering in Salting the Battlefield, explore more movies about ex-spies forced back into action. These films focus on tense, cerebral confrontations and often end with a bittersweet victory that comes at a personal cost.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative follows a protagonist, often an exile or retiree, who is drawn back into their old world to confront a powerful antagonist or system. The journey is methodical and tense, relying on wit and contacts over brute force, and resolves with a pragmatic, morally gray outcome that leaves the protagonist in a state of resigned duty.

Why These Movies?

These films are grouped by their shared mood of weary professionalism, a steady pacing driven by strategic moves, and a consistent bittersweet tone where success is defined by containment rather than celebration.

Political cat-and-mouse thrillers like Salting the Battlefield

A tense game of strategic leaks and counter-moves within corrupt government systems.For fans of the tense, strategic chase in Salting the Battlefield, this list features similar movies about fugitives using their insider knowledge against a corrupt government. These stories prioritize suspenseful maneuvering and media manipulation over action, creating a consistently anxious and clandestine vibe.

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Narrative Summary

The plot revolves around a protagonist with insider knowledge being pursued by a powerful, corrupt entity. The narrative unfolds through a series of calculated moves—leaking information, making alliances, and forcing the antagonist's hand—creating a steady, escalating tension that feels like a high-stakes chess match.

Why These Movies?

They share a very specific mix of tone (tense), pacing (steady), and theme (political corruption, cat-and-mouse). The experience is defined by a methodical build-up of suspense through intellectual confrontation rather than physical action.

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Salting the Battlefield Summary

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Salting the Battlefield Summary

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Salting the Battlefield Timeline

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Salting the Battlefield

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