HIDDEN AGENDA (DVD/16X9/WS/1.85:1/THEATRICAL TRAILER/1990) DVD

Hidden Agenda
This political thriller is set against the backdrop of Northern Ireland's "Troubles" and directed in the documentary fashion common to British filmmaker Ken Loach's films. Paul Sullivan (Brad Dourif) and Ingrid Jessner (Frances McDormand) are American attorneys serving on a human rights group working to monitor cases of prisoner mistreatment in war-torn Belfast. When Paul learns of some information that may be injurious to the Thatcher government, he is killed, and a top-secret tape disappears. Assigned to the case, Inspector Kerrigan (Brian Cox) is joined by Ingrid in probing Paul's death, which seems to be related to rumors of a high-ranking cabal within the British government working to undermine the Irish Republican Army and liberal policies toward Irish separatists through violent and illegal means. Ingrid meets with Harris (Maurice Roeves), a former British Secret Service agent who's now turned on his former cronies. Together, they look for the top-secret tape. ~ Karl Williams, All Movie Guide

Cast Frances McDormand as Ingrid Jessner Brian Cox as Peter Kerrigan Brad Dourif as Paul Sullivan Mai Zetterling as Moa Bernard Archard as Sir Robert Neil Bernard Bloch as Henri Maurice Roeves as Harris John Benfield as Maxwell Michelle Fairley as Teresa Doyle Oliver Maguire as Supt. Fraser

Crew Nigel Phelps - Art Director Daphne Dare - Costume Designer Ken Loach - Director Jonathan Morris - Editor Stewart Copeland - Composer (Music Score) Louise Fisher - Makeup Martin Johnson - Production Designer Clive Tickner - Cinematographer Derek Gibson - Producer Eric Fellner - Producer Rebecca O'Brien - Producer John Daly - Producer Vendetta Effects - Special Effects Jim Allen - Screenwriter

Hidden Agenda
In the tradition of political thrillers such as Missing and Z, Ken Loach's Hidden Agenda is a fictionalized story that makes use of real-life events and figures. A former documentarian, Loach approaches the material in a powerful, straightforward manner that emphasizes the strengths of the script, the characters, the actors, and the situation, rather than resorting to technical means (quick cuts, mesmerizing angles, etc.) to give the film its texture and tension. There are grit and realism in Loach's world, and he eschews exoticism for the everyday -- dark pubs, small restaurants, building lobbies, back alleys, etc. His people bear the mark of those who have been involved in a long struggle, one that seems to sap and drain life from them. They breathe real, not always clean, air -- a rarity in mysteries of this sort, which often traffic in the rich and beautiful. Loach's cast is excellent, especially Brian Cox, who knows how to make quiet and stillness into a powerful presence, and Frances McDormand, whose ability to portray a range of emotions is well used. Although the pace occasionally falters, overall Hidden Agenda is a first-rate hriller that will move as well as entertain viewers. ~ Craig Butler, All Movie Guide
 

Cannes Film Festival, Jury Prize (winner)

General Specifications: Language Options: English Subtitle Options: English, French, Spanish Sound Processing: 5.1: 5 full-range channels. Includes 3 for the front speakers, 2 surround channels for rear speakers, & 1 low-frequency effects (LFE) channel to carry deep bass effects 2: PCM stereo Additional Features: Original theatrical trailer DVD Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1: Theatre Wide-Screen 1.33:1: Pre-1954 Standard MPAA Rating: R DVD Discs Included: 1 DVD Sides: 2 DVD DVD Region Code: 1 Content Length: 109 min   DVD Chapters: Side #1 -- Widescreen 1. Main Title/Parade [4:09] 2. Passing the Tape [7:04] 3. Who's Behind Them? [7:32] 4. Immediate Aftermath [6:17] 5. The Inquiry Begins [12:05] 6. The Harris Factor [10:07] 7. The Tape and the List [5:02] 8. Message From Harris [1:43] 9. Arrest/Interrogations [1:51] 10. "...Reign of Terror" [9:00] 11. What Harris Knows [5:34] 12. Freedom?/Blackmail [8:54] 13. A Lifetime Wasted? [10:27] 14. Ingrid Gets the Tape [4:11] 15. How Fascism Starts [4:56] 16. End Credits [7:22] Side #2 -- Standard 1. Main Title/Parade [4:09] 2. Passing the Tape [7:03] 3. Who's Behind Them? [7:32] 4. Immediate Aftermath [6:17] 5. The Inquiry Begins [12:05] 6. The Harris Factor [10:06] 7. The Tape and the List [5:02] 8. Message From Harris [1:44] 9. Arrest/Interrogations [1:51] 10. "...Reign of Terror" [8:59] 11. What Harris Knows [5:34] 12. Freedom?/Blackmail [8:54] 13. A Lifetime Wasted? [10:27] 14. Ingrid Gets the Tape [4:11] 15. How Fascism Starts [4:55] 16. End Credits [7:22]