The Russia House (1990)

Director:

Fred Schepisi

Writers:

Tom Stoppard (writer)
John le Carré (novel)

Release Date:

19 December 1990 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Romance | Thriller

Tagline:

From John Le Carre's Best-Selling Thriller

Plot:

An expatriate British publisher unexpectedly finds himself working for British intelligence to investigate people in Russia.

Plot Keywords:

Russian | Russia | British Intelligence | British Spy | Cold War

Awards:

Nominated for Golden Globe. Another 2 nominations

US TV Schedule:

Sat. Jan. 9

5:20 AM

MAX

Cast

Sean Connery	...	Bartholomew 'Barley' Scott Blair
Michelle Pfeiffer	...	Katya Orlova
Roy Scheider	...	Russell
James Fox	...	Ned
John Mahoney	...	Brady
Michael Kitchen	...	Clive
J.T. Walsh	...	Colonel Quinn
Ken Russell	...	Walter
David Threlfall	...	Wicklow
Klaus Maria Brandauer	...	Dante
Mac McDonald	...	Bob
Nicholas Woodeson	...	Niki Landau
Martin Clunes	...	Brock
Ian McNeice	...	Merrydew, Embassy Rep.
Colin Stinton	...	Henziger

Runtime:

124 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English | Russian

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Brazil:Livre (DVD rating) | Iceland:L | South Korea:12 | Netherlands:6 | Netherlands:AL (DVD rating) | Argentina:13 | Australia:M | Chile:14 | Finland:S | Germany:12 | Sweden:Btl | UK:15 | USA:R | Singapore:PG

Filming Locations:

Bowen Island, British Columbia, Canada

Company:

Pathé Entertainment

Goofs:

Continuity: During Blair's "start the avalanche" speech, Dante is seen at the end of the table. As the camera pans around the table during the speech, Dante disappears from the end of the table, and then reappears.

Quotes:

CIA Interrogator: Have you ever met any jazz musicians you would describe, or who would describe themselves, as anarchists?
Bartholomew "Barley" Scott Blair: Hmmm... ah, there was a trombone player, Wilfred Baker.
[the interrogator starts writing]
Bartholomew "Barley" Scott Blair: He's the only jazz musician I can think of who is completely devoid of anarchist tendencies.

Movie Connections:

References À bout de souffle (1960)

Soundtrack:

What Is this Thing Called Love?

Authentic and beautifully filmed on location; all actors excellent!

My parents were born in and emigrated from the Ukraine. They have firsthand knowledge of the way the Soviet government operated. The details in the movie are very true to life under the Soviet regime. The plot is complex but life is also complex; especially under a repressive regime. I found the movie riveting; the plot keeps you guessing until the end. It is beautifully filmed on location. The actors are all excellent and very well cast. In addition, the music is wonderful; not only as a movie score but on its own, as well. Although some may find the plot difficult to follow (you do have to pay attention), it is well worth the viewing. After all, spying is a complex business.