The Fourth Protocol [1987]

Here, Michael Caine plays John Preston, a domestic Security Service (MI5) agent on the wrong side of his boss. After being banished to Ports and Harbours, Preston stumbles across evidence that the Soviets are smuggling an atomic bomb into the UK. And indeed they are, as part of a renegade plot by KGB Director Govershin (Alan North) to re-heat the Cold War during the days of détente in the late 1980s. Govershin's infiltrates his superagent, Valeri Petrofsky (Pierce Brosnan), who's assumed the English identity of James Ross, to co-ordinate assembly of the explosive device next to a U.S. air base that stores nuclear bombs. Detonation of the Red nuke will thus be blamed on American carelessness, causing stress on the Anglo-American alliance.

More than a decade after the collapse of the U.S.S.R, the plot of THE FOURTH PROTOCOL, which is above average in entertainment value, approaches being quaint, though the danger of a "suitcase nuke" remains real enough in today's world of pan-national terrorism. The real joy of the film is watching Caine's portrayal of the cheekily insubordinate Preston. (Cheekiness is what defines Caine's acting style and makes him so consistently engaging.)

Brosnan's Petrofsky/Ross is baby-faced and not much beyond just sullen. Pierce has yet to acquire the patina of age that makes him one of the better, though never the best, James Bonds. (Brosnan, sure and begorry, was born in the Republic of Ireland, and is decidedly not British. Perhaps his best spy role - and it was truly excellent - was as the Bond-gone-to-seed secret agent in THE TAILOR OF PANEMA.)

Also eminently watchable is Ian Richardson as the MI6 wallah who has more use for Preston than the latter's boss. (Richardson, if you recall, played the Soviet's mole in MI6 in the refreshingly intelligent TINKER, TAILOR, SOLDIER SPY, in which Alec Guinness debuted as superspy George Smiley, my most favorite of that actor's screen roles.) I'm always mesmerized by Richardson as his character of the moment swings from smooth charm to understated menace.

Michael Caine's ability to play a believable spook has evolved over a continuum from such of his early films as FUNERAL IN BERLIN and THE IPCRESS FILE to the relatively recent THE QUIET AMERICAN. Whereas Sean Connery has abandoned the genre, and the late great Alec Guinness limited his participation to TTSS and SMILEY'S PEOPLE, Caine continues to venture into the espionage shadow world and THE FOURTH PROTOCOL is a rewarding mission impossible from the past.


HIGHLY ENTERTAINING   October 16, 2003
10 out of 11 found this review helpful

This film features Michael caine as a sort of aged Harry Palmer (the character he played in 'The Ipcress File')Who is still involved with the usual devious schemes against the Russians during the cold war. Yes, the usual faces pop up as the KGB Generals but unlike all the other cold war thrillers we find Pierce Brosnan as the KGB spy sent to England for a spot of extreme sabotage. This is a part which he plays well even though he pouts far more than any incarnation as James Bond, (In this film you would think that every time he walks into a room he is looking for the nearest mirror). He does however show us a ruthless side killing anyone he is ordered to from using a knife to the bootlid of his car!

But like I said, Caine's part is the same kind of character from 'The Ipcress File', just as cheeky with a great deal of humour (his insubordination ammounts to the same as a two fingered salute) and his colleague shows the most exciting way to get out of a traffic jam.

The only drawback is the gooey relationship Caine has with his son,fortunatley this is not a big part of the story and is featured very little.

The out of character use of the 'F' word at the end by Caine is a bit pointless and shows that Caine did get rattled even though one of the good points of the film is the composure he keeps against all the amounting odds.

A totally miscast Ned Beatty is a little confusing, Is he another defector or is he really supposed to be a true all Russian Communist?

Having said that the overall impression of this film is one which is highly entertaining, a well made thriller which pits Caine not only against the Russians but also against his disbelieving superiors.(Which is in no way frustrating from the viewers point of view or for that matter Caine's character as he just ignores orders)
At the same time this film leads to the question; Is it actually possible that the Russians could have done something like this? Or could someone else try this even now?

If you have not seen this film and you liked Michael Caine in 'The Ipcress file' & 'The Blackwindmill' (an even better film)
and if you like Brosnan as Bond,(which incidentally the only villain that you think could give Bond the toughest time is probably the character Brosnan plays in this film).
Then I highly recommend 'The Fourth Protocol'. I am still waiting however for 'The Black Windmill' to be released on DVD. (A film which is pretty special to me because I live around the corner from the windmill used in the film. In fact at end you can just see my house.... Oh nevermind).
Buy 'The Fourth Protocol' and watch Michael Caine back to his cheeky best!


Another great Forsythe conversion   March 14, 2001
3 out of 4 found this review helpful

Having enjoyed the film of 'Day of the Jackal', I was interested in watching other Forsythe films. 'The Fourth Protocol' didn't let me down. It combines great acting with an original and tense plot. Caine excells in his role as the agent with the task of tracking Brosnan down. The musical score is good and you won't forget the ending. Don't miss it.