Defence of the Realm Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.5
Audio		5.0
Extras		4.0
Overall		4.5

Defence of the Realm Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Dr. Svet Atanasov December 22, 2022

David Drury's "Defence of the Realm" (1985) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Network Releasing. The supplemental features on the release include new program with producer Lynda Myles; new program with production designer Roger Murray-Leach; new program with composer Richard Harvey; vintage promotional materials; and more. In English, with optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature. Region-B "locked".

The consequential fugitive

It is interesting to see how well Defence of the Realm bends the classic but inaccurate notion that a democratic government always works for the people that have elected it. In 1985, when David Drury directed Defence of the Realm, the world was still divided by the two superpowers that dominated the last century, the United States and the U.S.S.R., and in friendly territories, they had a monopoly on the information that defined them. Each superpower knew exactly how the other disseminated and controlled information to manipulate the masses, so both used filtered information to create the realities that suited them.

In the highest echelons of the governments that ran the superpowers, however, there were always people willing to do a lot more to maintain order in these realities. Some of these people genuinely believed that they were intellectually superior to everyone else and therefore it was their duty to maintain order by any means necessary. Some of these people simply had a completely different interpretation of the order they were supposed to protect. In the East, where the Soviets ruled with an iron fist, the masses were taught that the order was synonymous with the interests of the proletariat, which made it possible to defend communism with religious fanaticism. In the West, democracy was touted and legitimized as the antidote to communism, which made it possible to do a lot that was incompatible with it to defend it. If they knew how to play the game right, the people at the very top that did the ideological defending for the two superpowers were essentially invincible.

Defence of the Realm was conceived as a cinematic puzzle that gradually reveals the mechanics of the game that is summarized above. Its depiction of the gravitational forces that balanced the game is slightly outdated but this is something that is effectively offset by the clarity of its deconstruction.

In London, investigative journalist Nick Mullen (Gabriel Burne) begins working on a case that could expose a prominent politician as a communist spy. Also working on the case is his biggest competitor, Vernon Bayliss (Denholm Elliot), who has acquired confidential information that points to something different and much bigger. When Byliss suffers a heart attack and dies in his apartment, Mullen redirects his investigative efforts and eventually discovers a trail leading to the highest echelon of the British government. Despite repeated warnings to discontinue his work, Mullen then attempts to put the information he has acquired in proper context and, in the process, becomes a dangerous target.

Martin Stellman’s screenplay is so impressive that it is very easy to understand why Burne, Elliot, and Greta Scacchi, who reluctantly becomes the investigative journalist’s assistant, agreed to do Defence of the Realm with Drury, at the time a young and inexperienced director who had done only one other film. It produces an unusually tense yet rational Cold War tale whose observations about the crucial relationship between government power and democracy were beyond illuminating, so it seems like it would have been extremely difficult not to turn it into a great film.

Somewhat ironically, what makes Defense of the Realm very unique is its own successful manipulation game, which uses the various unexpected twists and turns in the investigative reporter’s work to force the audience to ponder much bigger themes and developments. For example, the film rightfully points out that when a government uses unlimited power to neutralize anyone and anything that is deemed a threat to democracy then democracy itself becomes irrelevant. Why? Because unlimited power and democracy are incompatible. Also, the film again rightfully points out that if those at the highest echelons of government have a license to assemble and protect their version of democracy then they are protecting a system that is as corrupt and dangerous as “the other side”. Terrific film.

Defence of the Realm Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Presented in its original aspect ratio of 1.85:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, Defence of the Realm arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Network Releasing.

The release is sourced from a beautiful exclusive new 2K master that was struck from the original camera negative. The release could have benefited from small encoding optimizations -- though I have to say that I did not encounter any troubling anomalies, it is just that a few of the darker sequences looked a tad looser than they should -- but the overall appearance of the film is lovely. Delineation, clarity, and depth gravitate around very good, occasionally reaching excellent in well-lit close-ups. There are no traces of problematic corrections, such as degraining or sharpening. Contrast is balanced very well. The color grading job is very convincing. Obviously, in native 4K the color palette would be expanded and the dynamic range of the visuals will be superior, but I was very happy with what I saw on my system. There are no stability issues. The entire film looks very clean and healthy. (Note: This is a Region-B "locked" Blu-ray release. Therefore, you must have a native Region-B or Region-Free player in order to access its content).

Defence of the Realm Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

There is only one standard audio track on this Blu-ray release: English LPCM 2.0. Optional English SDH subtitles are provided for the main feature.

The audio is clear, stable, and easy to follow. During a few mass scenes, portions of some exchanges may appear slightly uneven but this is how they were captured by the recording equipment. The range of nuanced dynamics is modest. The film was apparently done with a fairly small budget so the lack of a rich sound design with plenty of memorable contrasts isn't surprising either.

Defence of the Realm Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Trailer - a remastered vintage trailer for Defence of the Realm. In English, not subtitled. (2 min).

• Producing Defence of the Realm - in this exclusive new program, producer Lynda Myles recalls how Defence of the Realm came to exist and discusses some unique challenges that had to be overcome during its production, the key themes that are intertwined in its story, and its lasting relevance. In English, not subtitled. (23 min).

• Design of the Realm - in this exclusive new program, production designer Roger Murray-Leach recalls his first encounter with producer Lynda Myles and his work on Defence of the Realm. In English, not subtitled. (17 min).

• Cue Notice - in this exclusive new program, composer Richard Harvey discusses in great detail the creation of the original soundtrack for Defence of the Realm and how the music interacts with the drama. In English, not subtitled. (25 min).

• Boom! - in this exclusive new program, boom operator Clive Copland recalls what it was like to work with David Drury and the excellent cast of Defence of the Realm as well as the film's British ambience and visual style. In English, not subtitled. (8 min).

• On Location - in this program, critic Robert Powell visits some of the locations seen in Defense of the Realm and comments on how they have changed over the years. In English, not subtitled. (14 min).

• Image Gallery - a collection of vintage promotional materials for Defence of the Realm. Included are posters, lobby cards, stills, press book, and more.

• Booklet - 20-page illustrated booklet featuring critic Neil Sinyard's essay "Waiting to Know: Defence of the Realm", reprinted archival materials, and technical credits.

Defence of the Realm Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

How far can politicians go while claiming that they are defending democracy? David Drury's thriller Defence of the Realm will provide you with a very good answer and plenty of food for thought. In my opinion, this film is even more relevant now since the world is no longer divided by two superpowers and more is done by governments around the globe in the name of democracy. I had not seen it before and thought that it was simply terrific. Network Blu-ray release is sourced from a lovely exclusive new 2K master and has a very nice selection of new bonus features. If you decide to pick it up for your library, please keep in mind that it is Region-B "locked". HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.