The Russia House

1990

Action / Drama / Romance / Thriller

37
Rotten Tomatoes Critics - Rotten 50% · 20 reviews
Rotten Tomatoes Audience - Spilled 50% · 5K ratings
IMDb Rating 6.1/10 10 19485 19.5K

secret cia central intelligence agency (cia) based on novel or book secret mission lisbon, portugal

Plot summary

Barley Scott Blair, a Lisbon-based editor of Russian literature who unexpectedly begins working for British intelligence, is commissioned to investigate the purposes of Dante, a dissident scientist trapped in the decaying Soviet Union that is crumbling under the new open-minded policies.

Director

Fred Schepisi Photo
Fred Schepisi

Top cast

Ken Russell Photo
Ken Russell as Walter
David Threlfall Photo
David Threlfall as Wicklow
Nicholas Woodeson Photo
Nicholas Woodeson as Niki Landau
Michelle Pfeiffer Photo
Michelle Pfeiffer as Katya
1080p.BluRay
1.84 GB
1920*1080
English 2.0
NR
Subtitles us  
23.976 fps
2 hr 3 min
Seeds 5

Movie Reviews

Reviewed by shakercoola 6 / 10

Authentically staged, wonderfully scored

An American spy drama and romance; A story about a British publisher persuaded to go undercover to investigate the motive of an author who is exposing Soviet secrets. Adapted from John le Carré's novel, a compelling glossy drama with a theme about the resurrection of buried hopes by betrayal. It is notable for capturing a plausibility of the realities of the time-Perestroika and post-glasnost Russia. The direction is subtle for a story that is reserved, though it occasionally gets sluggish in the plot with its standard-fare espionage. What carries the film, though, is the character-driven intrigue, witty dialogue, and strong emotional core. Connery's performance is complex, as the flawed publisher is attracted to Pfeiffer's charming go-between, a performance that is also persuasive and credible. There is fine support from Klaus Maria Brandauer as the mysterious scientist and Roy Scheider and James Fox as the bickering spy chiefs under pressure. Aside from the escapism and beautiful locales, easily the most exquisite filmic element is the critically acclaimed musical score by Jerry Goldsmith, which sweeps the audience along through the mood of places, national characteristics, and the main character's relationship.
Reviewed by Lupercali 7 / 10

Last of the Cold War dramas? (Not for the easily distracted.)

The Russia House is a superior spy romance movie which falls short of being great. Additionally a couple of factors have been unkind to it over time.Connery and Pfeiffer are excellant; the large cast are almost uniformly outstanding (except perhaps Roy Scheider, who I usually like, but who seems a bit over the top in his role here); the Moscow scenery and end of the Cold War feel are great, and the main characters are easy to like, if difficult to outright love. On the down side the writing assumes too much in expecting the audience to stay on top of the espionage jargon and intrigue, added to the non-linear plot. Let your attention wander and you'll lose your way. If it had been a little easier to follow, it would have left more room for dramatic tension, which was adequate but seldom riveting. When I said that time has been unkind to The Russia House, I meant two things: firstly that the unfortunate timing of the movie's release, a year before the collapse of the Soviet Union, ensured that it would be dated almost immediately. More significantly, a growing portion of the film's potential audience didn't live through the late Soviet Era, and the nuances of concepts like Glasnost, and why Perestroika makes it hard for Pfeiffer to do her shoe-shopping aren't going to mean a thing to anyone much under 30.But that's not the movie's fault. Russia House is still a quality, enjoyable drama with a great cast, even if it's somewhat ponderous and slow-moving, and complex. And oh yes - it has James Fox. A film like this without James Fox would have been like a table with three legs.7 out of 10
Reviewed by hbs 7 / 10

a romance pretending to be a thriller

Maybe I was just in the right mood, but I found this an effective romance. Michelle Pfieffer was even better than her usual terrific self, and the rest of the excellent cast was, well, excellent. It is pretty slow, but I think that this is essential to the conclusion, which I found quite moving. You have to give this movie a chance to grow on you, but if you are patient it is quite accessible. Not bleak at all, as you'd expect from Le Carre.
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