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Amazon.co.uk Review
Frederick Forsyth (The Day of the Jackal) wrote the novel and screenplay of The Fourth Protocol, a story about a plot to stage an enormous nuclear accident in England, a catastrophe so large that its source can never be identified but will lead to assumptions that America is behind it. Michael Caine plays an ageing intelligence agent who picks up clues that the ingredients for such an apocalypse are being smuggled piece-by-piece into the UK--but he cannot seem to get his superiors to care. Caine is outstanding in a role that seems tailor-made for him and Pierce Brosnan is very good as the Russian agent working undercover in England to affect the planned tragedy. The film perfectly captures a spreading suspicion and resentment toward superpower adventurism, even though such sentiments are in fact being exploited by the bad guys. Caine, as always, suggests a man walking a narrow line through a gauntlet of moral compromises. --Tom Keogh, Amazon.com
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25 of 29 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
In the 1960s Michael Caine appeared in a series of spy movies as Len Deighton's fictional cold war hero Harry Palmer. Then in 1986 Caine appeared again in much the same mold except in this instance, since it was based on a book by Frederick Forsyth, his character had a different name, even though in image and style he was very much a Palmer clone.
Forsyth has had a number of his works adapted into movies. In the 1970s we had such classics as THE ODESSA FILE and DAY OF THE JACKAL and even Christopher Walken fresh off his Oscar for THE DEER HUNTER appeared in 1980s DOGS OF WAR based on another bestseller. This mid-1980s entry is perhaps a little grittier in tone and more frightening in scope then the other movies mentioned and is ultimately fascinating as much for the picture it paints of the machinations of the intelligence community as for the intrigue played out on screen.
One needs to understand the political context in which this sly political thriller was written to appreciate it.
Today we are consumed with tackling terrorism but back in the 1980s the big threat was the Soviet Union and its nuclear arsenal. Indeed there were regular protests outside the American airbase of Greenham Common when people expressed their displeasure at the presence of cruise missiles.
Perhaps the most interesting aspect of this movie for today's audience is the appearance of a pre-007 Pierce Brosnan as a Russian spy. Having been forced to decline the role of James Bond in 1986 Brosnan instead appeared in this movie as one of the key villains of the piece - and what a nasty piece of work he is. Cold and emotionaless Brosnan's character obeys his orders without question and one wishes that he had played 007 more like this. In fact the plot of this movie bears more than a passing resemblance to the plot of the earlier 007 movie OCTOPUSSY though it is handled in a much more serious and plausible manner here.
As with that 1983 James Bond movie, here the KGB plans to explode a nuclear weapon close to an American airbase with the blame going to the United States. With the KGB smuggling in a weapon piece-by-piece the movie follows the plot of the book quite closely with British intelligence trying to track down the Russian agent after it intercepts materials used in the construction of an atomic weapon.
Playing the part of a Russian scientist assigned to put all the pieces together is the beautiful Joanna Cassidy. Her scenes with Brosnan allow the future 007 star to portray a truly ruthless killer for once.
The pace of the movie may prove to be a little too pedestrian for those who are used to the action thrillers of today. It is a more measured and (dare I say it) more intelligent approach to the thriller genre but it manages to ratchet up the suspense quite effectively and is well worth a look-see.
Forsyth has had a number of his works adapted into movies. In the 1970s we had such classics as THE ODESSA FILE and DAY OF THE JACKAL and even Christopher Walken fresh off his Oscar for THE DEER HUNTER appeared in 1980s DOGS OF WAR based on another bestseller. This mid-1980s entry is perhaps a little grittier in tone and more frightening in scope then the other movies mentioned and is ultimately fascinating as much for the picture it paints of the machinations of the intelligence community as for the intrigue played out on screen.
One needs to understand the political context in which this sly political thriller was written to appreciate it.
Today we are consumed with tackling terrorism but back in the 1980s the big threat was the Soviet Union and its nuclear arsenal. Indeed there were regular protests outside the American airbase of Greenham Common when people expressed their displeasure at the presence of cruise missiles.
Perhaps the most interesting aspect of this movie for today's audience is the appearance of a pre-007 Pierce Brosnan as a Russian spy. Having been forced to decline the role of James Bond in 1986 Brosnan instead appeared in this movie as one of the key villains of the piece - and what a nasty piece of work he is. Cold and emotionaless Brosnan's character obeys his orders without question and one wishes that he had played 007 more like this. In fact the plot of this movie bears more than a passing resemblance to the plot of the earlier 007 movie OCTOPUSSY though it is handled in a much more serious and plausible manner here.
As with that 1983 James Bond movie, here the KGB plans to explode a nuclear weapon close to an American airbase with the blame going to the United States. With the KGB smuggling in a weapon piece-by-piece the movie follows the plot of the book quite closely with British intelligence trying to track down the Russian agent after it intercepts materials used in the construction of an atomic weapon.
Playing the part of a Russian scientist assigned to put all the pieces together is the beautiful Joanna Cassidy. Her scenes with Brosnan allow the future 007 star to portray a truly ruthless killer for once.
The pace of the movie may prove to be a little too pedestrian for those who are used to the action thrillers of today. It is a more measured and (dare I say it) more intelligent approach to the thriller genre but it manages to ratchet up the suspense quite effectively and is well worth a look-see.
14 of 17 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
This film features Michael caine as a sort of aged Harry Palmer (the character he played in 'The Ipcress File')Who is still involved with the usual devious schemes against the Russians during the cold war. Yes, the usual faces pop up as the KGB Generals but unlike all the other cold war thrillers we find Pierce Brosnan as the KGB spy sent to England for a spot of extreme sabotage. This is a part which he plays well even though he pouts far more than any incarnation as James Bond, (In this film you would think that every time he walks into a room he is looking for the nearest mirror). He does however show us a ruthless side killing anyone he is ordered to from using a knife to the bootlid of his car!
But like I said, Caine's part is the same kind of character from 'The Ipcress File', just as cheeky with a great deal of humour (his insubordination ammounts to the same as a two fingered salute) and his colleague shows the most exciting way to get out of a traffic jam.
But like I said, Caine's part is the same kind of character from 'The Ipcress File', just as cheeky with a great deal of humour (his insubordination ammounts to the same as a two fingered salute) and his colleague shows the most exciting way to get out of a traffic jam.
The only drawback is the gooey relationship Caine has with his son,fortunatley this is not a big part of the story and is featured very little.
The out of character use of the 'F' word at the end by Caine is a bit pointless and shows that Caine did get rattled even though one of the good points of the film is the composure he keeps against all the amounting odds.
A totally miscast Ned Beatty is a little confusing, Is he another defector or is he really supposed to be a true all Russian Communist?
Having said that the overall impression of this film is one which is highly entertaining, a well made thriller which pits Caine not only against the Russians but also against his disbelieving superiors.(Which is in no way frustrating from the viewers point of view or for that matter Caine's character as he just ignores orders)
At the same time this film leads to the question; Is it actually possible that the Russians could have done something like this? Or could someone else try this even now?
If you have not seen this film and you liked Michael Caine in 'The Ipcress file' & 'The Blackwindmill' (an even better film)
and if you like Brosnan as Bond,(which incidentally the only villain that you think could give Bond the toughest time is probably the character Brosnan plays in this film).
Then I highly recommend 'The Fourth Protocol'. I am still waiting however for 'The Black Windmill' to be released on DVD. (A film which is pretty special to me because I live around the corner from the windmill used in the film. In fact at end you can just see my house.... Oh nevermind).
Buy 'The Fourth Protocol' and watch Michael Caine back to his cheeky best!
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
A lot more action orientated than the Frederick Forsyth novel that it was based on and Michael Caine's character is, equally, far more of an action hero. Whilst it may have been deemed necessary to beef up the action to make a more exciting film, it loses some on the book's logic, depth and flow.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Great item
I bought this for my boyfriend who has liked this film for a long time,he was very happy with the dvd.
Published 1 month ago by demoness
Crap
DVD 'The Fourth Protocol', filmed (1987) from a book by Frederick 'Freddie' Forsyth, with Pierce Brosnan and Michael Caine (who was at school with Benny Green - Ben Gurion). Read more
Published 3 months ago by Rerevisionist
Caine in another Cold War film but not as Harry Palmer
Harry Palmer has metamorphosed into another, more modern sleuth, once again set in the Cold War, a period of East West political conflict, military tension, proxy wars roughly from... Read more
Published 6 months ago by RR Waller
Quality action film
This spy thriller features Michael Caine and Pierce Brosnan at their best, it's a tense story line held together with great actions scenes including a fantastic car chase. Read more
Published 16 months ago by David J. Kearley
The Fourth Protocol
The only thing odd - wrong - about my DVD copy of this exciting film is the statement on the back cover of the plastic box that it come in that the film is based on Frederick... Read more
Published 17 months ago by RogerN
GREAT COLD-WAR STUFF
A faithful reproduction of the book, and which builds the suspense in the same way as in print. As such, exciting to watch and really "on-the-edge-of-your-seat" stuff. Read more
Published 19 months ago by D. Shaw
Still looking good
The fourth protocol has remained a smart looking cold war spy thriller. It suffers a little bit from the almost customary moralising ending, which is the probably the weakest point... Read more
Published 21 months ago by Bacchus
An excellent film about the Cold War
The Fourth Protocol is a very good film in that Frederick Forsyth, who wrote the book of the same name, wrote the screenplay for it as well. Read more
Published on 20 May 2010 by Mr. A. J. Tennant
Fourth Protocol
This is a mediocre cold war thriller with a conventional rebel hero and smooth Russian villain. It strays from and dumbs down the novel. Read more
Published on 13 Feb 2010 by John Timothy York
Complete & Uncut
Here it is, I,m in Canada & we don't have this film available on DVD, so it was a joy to find it letter box 2:35.1, complete UK version & a great selection of extras. Read more
Published on 1 Feb 2009 by Andy B
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