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The Russia House

  • 19901990
  • RR
  • 2h 3m
IMDb RATING
6.1/10
16K
YOUR RATING
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Sean Connery and Michelle Pfeiffer in The Russia House (1990)
Home Video Trailer from MGM Home Entertainment
Play trailer1:50
1 Video
45 Photos
  • Drama
  • Romance
  • Thriller

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

IMDb RATING
6.1/10
16K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Fred Schepisi
  • Writers
    • John le Carré(novel)
    • Tom Stoppard(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Sean Connery
    • Michelle Pfeiffer
    • Roy Scheider
Top credits
  • Director
    • Fred Schepisi
  • Writers
    • John le Carré(novel)
    • Tom Stoppard(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Sean Connery
    • Michelle Pfeiffer
    • Roy Scheider
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 93User reviews
    • 42Critic reviews
    • 67Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 5 nominations

    Videos1

    The Russia House
    Trailer 1:50
    The Russia House

    Photos45

    Fred Schepisi in The Russia House (1990)
    The Russia House (1990)
    Sean Connery and Michelle Pfeiffer in The Russia House (1990)
    Sean Connery and Michelle Pfeiffer in The Russia House (1990)
    Sean Connery and Michelle Pfeiffer in The Russia House (1990)
    Sean Connery and Michelle Pfeiffer in The Russia House (1990)
    Sean Connery and Michelle Pfeiffer in The Russia House (1990)
    Sean Connery and Michelle Pfeiffer in The Russia House (1990)
    Sean Connery and Michelle Pfeiffer in The Russia House (1990)
    The Russia House (1990)
    The Russia House (1990)
    The Russia House (1990)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Sean Connery
    Sean Connery
    • Barleyas Barley
    Michelle Pfeiffer
    Michelle Pfeiffer
    • Katyaas Katya
    Roy Scheider
    Roy Scheider
    • Russellas Russell
    James Fox
    James Fox
    • Nedas Ned
    John Mahoney
    John Mahoney
    • Bradyas Brady
    Michael Kitchen
    Michael Kitchen
    • Cliveas Clive
    J.T. Walsh
    J.T. Walsh
    • Quinnas Quinn
    Ken Russell
    Ken Russell
    • Walteras Walter
    David Threlfall
    David Threlfall
    • Wicklowas Wicklow
    Klaus Maria Brandauer
    Klaus Maria Brandauer
    • Danteas Dante
    Mac McDonald
    Mac McDonald
    • Bobas Bob
    Nicholas Woodeson
    Nicholas Woodeson
    • Niki Landauas Niki Landau
    Martin Clunes
    Martin Clunes
    • Brockas Brock
    Ian McNeice
    Ian McNeice
    • Merrydewas Merrydew
    • (as Ian McNiece)
    Colin Stinton
    Colin Stinton
    • Henzigeras Henziger
    Denys Hawthorne
    • Paddyas Paddy
    George Roth
    • Cyas Cy
    Peter Marinker
    Peter Marinker
    • U.S. Scientistas U.S. Scientist
    • (as Peter Mariner)
    • Director
      • Fred Schepisi
    • Writers
      • John le Carré(novel)
      • Tom Stoppard(screenplay)
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
    • All cast & crew

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    Storyline

    Edit
    Three notebooks supposedly containing Russian military secrets are handed to a British publisher during a Russian book conference. The British Secret Service are naturally keen to learn if these notebooks are the genuine article. To this end, they enlist the help of the scruffy British publisher Barley Blair, who has plenty of experience with Russia and Russians. Barley, an unconventional character who doesn't respond well to authority, finds himself in a game more complex than he first thought when he digs into the origin of the notebooks. —Murray Chapman <muzzle@cs.uq.oz.au>
    • kgb agent
    • east west
    • soviet citizen
    • reference to dorothy l. sayers
    • drinking from a bottle
    • 108 more
    • Plot summary
    • Plot synopsis
    • Taglines
      • A Spy Story . . . A Love Story . . . A Story to Cross all Boundaries.
    • Genres
      • Drama
      • Romance
      • Thriller
    • Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)
      • Rated R for language
    • Parents guide

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      This movie was the first major movie production from the West to be filmed substantially in the Soviet Union, with full permission from the Russian Government. This movie was filmed on location in Russia, in Moscow and St. Petersburg. The beginning and final scenes were filmed in Lisbon, Portugal.
    • Goofs
      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

      Bartholomew "Barley" Scott Blair: So there was a crunch: to save your precious secrets or to trade them for Katya and her family. The easiest decision I ever made.

    • Crazy credits
      The credits appear over a series of clips showing location shots from the film, concluding with a repeat of the final scene.
    • Connections
      Featured in Sean Connery: A BAFTA Tribute (1990)
    • Soundtracks
      What Is This Thing Called Love?
      Written by Cole Porter

      Published by Warner/Chappell Music

    User reviews93

    Review
    Top review
    A surprisingly non-cynical Le Carre story
    As a great admirer of John Le Carre, I watched this film with high expectations & although the story wasn't the usual Le Carre (such as 'The Spy Who Came In From The Cold'), I enjoyed it immensely. It is a combination of a good old-fashioned romance & a look at what happens when an ordinary man is brought into the world of espionage. Connery is very good as the boozy, world-weary publisher who considers personal relationships more important than Cold War one-upmanship. Michelle Pfeiffer, apart from being very pleasing to the eye as usual, was also pretty believable as the Russian trying to do the right thing. What's more, Klaus Maria Brandauer deserves an honourable mention as well. OK, the plot is complicated & sometimes hard to follow, as are most of Le Carre's works (& also, doubtless, the real world of espionage), but it is worth the effort. If you are seeking a simple good guy beats bad guy film, then don't watch this or any other realistic spy film. If, however, you want a story that manages to combine cynicism & romance, I recommend this one.
    helpful•34
    6
    • Troopie
    • Jun 18, 2004

    FAQ11

    • What is 'The Russia House' about?
    • Is 'The Russia House' based on a book?
    • What is Glasnost?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • December 21, 1990 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official site
      • MGM
    • Languages
      • English
      • Russian
    • Also known as
      • John le Carré's The Russia House
    • Filming locations
      • Lisbon, Portugal
    • Production companies
      • Pathé Entertainment
      • Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)
      • Star Partners III Ltd.
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $21,800,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $22,997,992
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $4,435,650
      • Dec 25, 1990
    • Gross worldwide
      • $22,997,992
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      2 hours 3 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.35 : 1

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