The Fourth Protocol

The Fourth Protocol is a solid Cold War thriller that stands out particularly for its nuanced characterisation, on both the heroes' and the villains' side. Michael Caine plays the English agent Preston, and his opponent is a Russian agent played by Pierce Brosnan from before he became known as Mr James Bond.

The British intelligence service gets wind of extensive espionage activity in England. It turns out that top people in the Russian intelligence service are planning to assemble and detonate an atomic bomb in England with the sole aim of strengthening their own position. The chief agent is Major Valeri Petrofsky, who dutifully obeys orders, even when they involve murdering his own countrymen. Preston is hot on his heels, but his task is certainly not made any easier by the unwillingness of the desk generals to cooperate.

Like so many other similar English spy films, it all ends well, but not happily. There is always a good dose of bitterness in the cup. If the disillusioned English are to be believed, their intelligence service is riddled with corruption and muddle.