Defence of the Realm

A conspiracy yarn which looks to the tradition of Buchan as well as the more recent one of Three Days of the Condor. A far from crusading hack uncovers a mystery behind a political scandal and feels impelled to investigate. What's going on? Something not very nice at all involving nuclear weapons, that's what. Drury coaxes an excellent performance from newcomer Byrne, and directs with a style and sense of location rarely present in homegrown cinema. The Fenland scenes and those in London by night are notably atmospheric, and while the ending isn't entirely satisfactory, there is no questioning the quality and pedigree of the film.