| | | When a government seeks revenge...nobody is safe.
Features: DVD, Widescreen, Aspect Ratio 1.85:1, Theatrical Version, Trailers
Academy award winner Frances McDormand (Fargo) and Brian Cox (Rob Roy) confront danger and deception at every turn in this "chilling, explosive" (The New York Times) drama set in strife-torn Northern Ireland. Winner of the Special Jury Prize at the Cannes Film Festival, Hidden Agenda is a "taut political thriller" (The Hollywood Reporter) that "makes the unthinkable seem all too plausible" (The Washington Post). American activists Paul Sullivan (Brad Dourif) and his fiancee Ingrid Jessner (McDormand) journey to Belfast to probe allegations of brutal human rights abuses by British security forces. When Paul is killed under mysterious circumstances, the official reports list him as an I.R.A. accomplice. But Ingrid and British policeman Paul Kerrigan (Cox) question the findings and begin to uncover a shocking high-level conspiracy. Now, with their safety in jeopardy, they must decide whether to risk everything to reveal the truth.
"Two thumbs up!" Siskel & Ebert
Editor's Note
An implicit condemnation of the repressive tactics of the British government in Northern Ireland, HIDDEN AGENDA stars Brian Cox (THE BOXER), Brad Dourif (MISSISSIPPI BURNING), and Frances McDormand (FARGO). When an American attorney working for a humanitarian group who is investigating the torture of IRA prisoners is killed in Belfast, Inspector Kerrigan (Cox) is sent to investigate the crime. He's joined by Sullivan's fiancée, Ingrid Jessner (McDormand), a lawyer working for the International League of Civil Liberties. They learn that he had been given a tape by a former British army officer named Harris (Maurice Roeves) that contained highly incriminating material concerning the activities of the British government. With some difficulty they track down the elusive officer, leading them to the IRA. This well-made, low-key political thriller was highly controversial upon its release because it cited real names and events in presenting its case for the existence of a conspiracy at the highest levels of the British government.
Plot Summary
During a reporting trip of abuses by British security forces in Northern Ireland, an American human rights activist's (Frances McDormand) fiancé is killed after being suspected a terrorist. The negative publicity forces the British to send an investigator (Brian Cox) who joins her try to solve the killing; what they discover in this story of political intrigue, deception and murder is that the real issues are more complex and dangerous than they expected. The film is directed by Ken Loach (LAND AND FREEDOM) who is well-known for his unflinching examination of political and human rights issues.
| Features | Widescreen Version Enhanced For 16X9 TVs | | Original Theatrical Trailer | | Audio: English Dolby Digital Stereo Surround | | Subtitles: English, French, Spanish |
| Technical Info
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Release Information
| | Studio: MGM |
| Release Date: 4/25/2006 |
| Running Time: 109 minutes |
| Original Release Date: 1990 | | Catalog ID: 1003335 | | UPC: 00027616874849 | | Number of Discs: 1 |
Audio & Video
| | Original Language: English | | Available Audio Tracks: English | | Available Subtitles: English, French, Spanish | | Video: Color |
Aspect Ratio | | 1.85:1 |
| Cast & Crew
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| | Professional Reviews | New York Times
"...Chilling....This quietly explosive film comes to resonate more loudly than melodrama..." 11/21/1990 p.C13Film Comment
"...The script percolates with startling revelations about the venality of Britain's secret service..." 09/01/1990 p.21-3 Los Angeles Times
"...A taut, straightforward example of Loach's craftsmanship....The movie has a documentary-like atmosphere but the confrontations are brilliantly staged and the dialogue is heightened for dramatic effect..." 12/21/1990 p.F4 |
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