The Fourth Protocol

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The Fourth Protocol

R

1987

1h 58m

Mystery & Thriller

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Popcornmeter

67%

Tomatometer

21 Reviews

56%

Popcornmeter

1,000+ Ratings

British spy John Preston (Michael Caine), recently demoted by his boss for a well-intentioned but unsanctioned mission, stumbles onto a covert plot by KGB agent Valeri Petrofsky (Pierce Brosnan), who is attempting to build and detonate a nuclear bomb on British soil and blame it on the Americans. With the support of the ailing MI5 director, Preston, who is still at odds with several of his superiors, attempts to uncover and thwart the plot before it's too late.

Derek Malcolm

Guardian

This is a pretty boring piece of work, festooned with articulate actors given 30 seconds flat to make their mark and feeling the pinch a bit.

Mar 14, 2023

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Victoria Mather

Daily Telegraph (UK)

The Fourth Protocol is a good, old-fashioned thriller. Which is what is wrong with it. Movies have come in from the cold war now, yet "Protocol" in essence lukewarms up the format.

Mar 14, 2023

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Wally Hammond

Time Out

What is missing is any real tension or psychological detail that might lend plausibility to all the hocus-pocus about East-West political and military intrigue.

Jan 26, 2006

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Richard Freedman

Newhouse News Service

Caine, as always, is a joy to watch, whether grimly tracking his man, telling off his supercilious boss, or, sloshed on New Year's Eve, blowing a wall safe in a posh London pad.

Nov 5, 2019

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Cathy Burke

United Press International

The Fourth Protocol not only does what a good spy movie should do, twist and turn through treachery and deceit to the inevitable surprising conclusion, it also does what any good movie should do, entertain by telling a good story well.

Oct 10, 2016

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TV Guide

A competent, if unremarkable, espionage thriller that is enjoyable while it lasts and forgotten moments after the credits roll.

Rated: 2.5/4

Aug 12, 2014

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simon b

Michael Caine was under contract to the studio in the late 80's, so didn't always choose what films he was in. some were pretty awful - Blue Ice being one, but 4th Protocol is really rather good. Thumbs up from here!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/13/25

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Charles L

Yes Worth A Watch Caine and Bronson are good together

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

06/24/24

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Shawndell J

Excellent Cold War thriller. Very young Pierce Brosnan already positioning himself as a spy film prodigy to include being the 5th iteration of James Bond.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/22/24

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Colin M

Spy drama involving Britain and Russia.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/15/24

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xx x

Pretty good spy thriller. Better than some newer spy films- The Gray Man I am looking at you.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

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paul d

The Fourth Protocol is a very good spy thriller, with well-developed characters, an excellent, believable premise, and a good story. The film is entirely believable, with no superheroes, no James Bond, and no obvious special effects. Both Brosnan and Caine are excellent, and Joanna Cassidy has a small but crucial role as a mysterious and businesslike Russian scientist. The supporting cast of Russian and British are also convincing. The film proceeds at an excellent pace, with a score that highlights the suspense.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

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John Mackenzie

Director

Michael Caine

John Preston

Pierce Brosnan

Valeri Petrofsky

Joanna Cassidy

Irina Vassilievna

Ned Beatty

Borisov

Betsy Brantley

Eileen McWhirter

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Synopsis

British spy John Preston (Michael Caine), recently demoted by his boss for a well-intentioned but unsanctioned mission, stumbles onto a covert plot by KGB agent Valeri Petrofsky (Pierce Brosnan), who is attempting to build and detonate a nuclear bomb on British soil and blame it on the Americans. With the support of the ailing MI5 director, Preston, who is still at odds with several of his superiors, attempts to uncover and thwart the plot before it's too late.

Director: John Mackenzie
Production Co: Fourth Protocol
Rating: R
Genre: Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Box Office (Gross USA): $12.4M
Runtime: 1h 58m
Sound Mix: Surround