Russia House (1991)

Editor's Note Sean Connery and Michelle Pfieffer ignite the screen in this enchanting adaptation of John Le Carre's suspenseful espionage drama. Connery portrays Barley Blair -- a lonely, middle aged, hard-drinking, London publisher -- who has a love for all things Russian. While in Russia, Barley captures the attention of a daring Russian scientist (Klaus Maria Brandauer), who attempts to send him a top secret manuscript disclosing the secrets of Russian military defense, which, if published in the West could alter the global balance of power. However, the manuscript falls into the hands of the British C.I.A., and they coerce Blair into traveling to the Soviet Union to find out the identity of the manuscript's author and the validity behind the secret military codes. Reluctantly, Blair arrives in the cold landscape, hoping to complete his mission and leave as soon as possible. But his contact turns out to be Katya (Michelle Pfieffer), a sensitive and beautiful Russian editor, and Blair soon falls deeply in love with her. Realizing she is an unwitting pawn in a deadly game, he does everything he can to protect her, and his empty life is once again filled with meaning. Set against the vivid backdrop of Russia's most beautiful cities, this thriller explores the tension filled years during and after Glasnost as Russia struggled to gain power and shed their previous political reputation. Featuring a fine ensemble cast including: director Ken Russell, Roy Scheider, and James Fox.

	Michael Kitchen
	Sean Connery
	Michelle Pfeiffer
	David Threlfall
	John Mahoney
	Klaus Maria Brandauer
	Blu Mankuma
	J.T. Walsh
	Roy Scheider
	James Fox
	Tom Stoppard - Screenwriter
	Richard MacDonald - Production Designer
	Jerry Goldsmith - Composer
	Paul Maslansky - Producer
	Peter Honess - Editor
	John Le Carré - Source Writer
	Ruth Myers - Costume Designer
	Fred Schepisi - Producer
	Fred Schepisi - Director

Rolling Stone
"...A rare and enthralling spectacle..." 01/10/1991 p.58

Los Angeles Times
"...It's entrancing....Schepisi may have made the first truly and intelligently uplifting spy movie. His style here is magisterial yet playful..." 12/19/1990 p.F1

USA Today
"[An] eye-boggling travelogue that's easy to take..." 09/13/2005 p.4D