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Beyond the Limit

Original title: The Honorary Consul
  • 19831983
  • RR
  • 1h 44m
IMDb RATING
5.7/10
1.4K
YOUR RATING
Beyond the Limit (1983)
Home Video Trailer from Paramount
Play trailer1:35
1 Video
21 Photos
DramaRomanceThriller
During the Dirty War, a half-English doctor in Argentina befriends the police, the rebels and the alcoholic Honorary British Consul, whose Latino wife he seduces. When the consul is mistaken... Read allDuring the Dirty War, a half-English doctor in Argentina befriends the police, the rebels and the alcoholic Honorary British Consul, whose Latino wife he seduces. When the consul is mistakenly kidnapped by the rebels, he must pick a side.During the Dirty War, a half-English doctor in Argentina befriends the police, the rebels and the alcoholic Honorary British Consul, whose Latino wife he seduces. When the consul is mistakenly kidnapped by the rebels, he must pick a side.
IMDb RATING
5.7/10
1.4K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • John Mackenzie
  • Writers
    • Graham Greene(novel "The Honorary Consul")
    • Christopher Hampton(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Michael Caine
    • Richard Gere
    • Bob Hoskins
  • Director
    • John Mackenzie
  • Writers
    • Graham Greene(novel "The Honorary Consul")
    • Christopher Hampton(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Michael Caine
    • Richard Gere
    • Bob Hoskins
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 15User reviews
    • 8Critic reviews
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 2 BAFTA Awards
      • 4 nominations total

    Videos1

    The Honorary Consul
    Trailer 1:35
    Watch The Honorary Consul

    Photos21

    Michael Caine in Beyond the Limit (1983)
    Bob Hoskins in Beyond the Limit (1983)
    Elpidia Carrillo in Beyond the Limit (1983)
    Richard Gere in Beyond the Limit (1983)
    Richard Gere and Elpidia Carrillo in Beyond the Limit (1983)
    Richard Gere in Beyond the Limit (1983)
    Richard Gere, Michael Caine, and Elpidia Carrillo in Beyond the Limit (1983)
    Richard Gere, Michael Caine, and Elpidia Carrillo in Beyond the Limit (1983)
    Michael Caine and Elpidia Carrillo in Beyond the Limit (1983)
    Richard Gere and Elpidia Carrillo in Beyond the Limit (1983)
    Richard Gere and Bob Hoskins in Beyond the Limit (1983)
    Richard Gere and Michael Caine in Beyond the Limit (1983)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Michael Caine
    Michael Caine
    • Charley Fortnum
    Richard Gere
    Richard Gere
    • Dr. Plarr
    Bob Hoskins
    Bob Hoskins
    • Colonel Perez
    Elpidia Carrillo
    Elpidia Carrillo
    • Clara
    Joaquim de Almeida
    Joaquim de Almeida
    • Leon
    • (as Joaquim De Almeida)
    A Martinez
    A Martinez
    • Aquino
    Stephanie Cotsirilos
    • Marta
    Domingo Ambriz
    • Diego
    Eric F. Valdez
    • Pablo
    • (as Eric Valdez)
    Nicolás Jasso
    • Miguel
    • (as Nicolas Jasso)
    Geoffrey Palmer
    Geoffrey Palmer
    • British Ambassador
    Leonard Maguire
    • Dr. Humphries
    Jorge Russek
    Jorge Russek
    • Senor Escobar
    Erika Carlsson
    • Senora Escobar
    • (as Erika Carlsen)
    Josefina Echánove
    Josefina Echánove
    • Senora Sanchez
    • (as Josefina Echanove)
    Ramón Álvarez
    • Henry Plarr
    • (as Ramon Alvarez)
    George Belanger
    • U.S. Ambassador
    Juan Antonio Llanes
    Juan Antonio Llanes
    • Gruber
    • (as Juan Antonio Llanez)
    • Director
      • John Mackenzie
    • Writers
      • Graham Greene(novel "The Honorary Consul")
      • Christopher Hampton(screenplay)
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Director John Mackenzie spent two weeks in Argentina doing research for this movie. A day after he left, the Falklands War began. Production moved to Mexico instead.
    • Quotes

      Colonel Perez: Who is in here?

      Dr. Eduardo Plarr: Signora Fortnum.

      Colonel Perez: Oh, I see... Is this why you've been lying to me?

      Dr. Eduardo Plarr: An affair always involves a few lies.

    • Alternate versions
      NBC edited 6 minutes from this film for its 1987 network television premiere.
    • Connections
      Version of Honorární konzul (1991)
    • Soundtracks
      Theme
      Composed by Paul McCartney

      ©COPYRIGHT MCMLXXXIII MPC COMMUNICATIONS LTD.

      Performed by Paul McCartney & John Williams

    User reviews15

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    6/10
    Contrived Political Drama with a Misleading Title
    Richard Gere plays Dr. Eduardo Plarr, an Anglo-Paraguayan doctor who unwittingly gets entangled in the kidnapping plot of an American consul by a novice group of Paraguayan rebels in exchange for ten of their imprisoned comrades. The plan goes awry as the rebels mistakenly kidnap his new friend instead - Charley Fortnum (Michael Caine), a British honorary consul who happens to be at the wrong place at the wrong time. Complicating the matter, the doctor falls head over heels in love with Charley's young wife, Clara (Elpidia Carrillo) - an ex-prostitute who has the same feelings toward him. Meanwhile, the police have tracked down the rebels hide-out and are closing in. With his life at stake, Plarr is forced to decide between betraying his love or friendship.

    Sounds interesting, right? Sadly, it is not. The main problem is that the characters are not likable. Gere's character is a doctor who lusts after his friend's wife. Caine's is a heavy drinker who often creates problems than solves them while Carrillo's is a fickle-minded woman who can't decide who is best for her life.

    The title itself "The Honorary Consul" does not fit into the main plot, which is more about Gere's character than Caine's. Even less fitting is the alternate US title "Beyond the Limit".

    This is one of three John Mackenzie's films that I have watched and also the most unconvincing because of its tepid performances, contrived plot and ending, and lackluster direction. Only for Gere's or Caine's die-hard fans.
    helpful•2
    2
    • Filmfandave
    • May 18, 2014

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • September 30, 1983 (United States)
    • Countries of origin
      • United Kingdom
      • Mexico
    • Languages
      • English
      • Spanish
      • Latin
    • Also known as
      • Graham Greene's the Honorary Consul
    • Filming locations
      • Mexico City, Mexico
    • Production companies
      • World Film Services
      • Parsons & Whittemore Lyddon Ltd.
      • Estudios Churubusco Azteca S.A.
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $11,800,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $5,997,566
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $2,208,976
      • Oct 2, 1983
    • Gross worldwide
      • $5,997,566
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 44 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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