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Thriller

The Fourth Protocol (1987): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

The Fourth Protocol (1987) movie poster

The Fourth Protocol is a 1987 thriller directed by John Mackenzie, starring Michael Caine, Pierce Brosnan and Ray McAnally. It is based on The Fourth Protocol by Frederick Forsyth. It runs 1 hour 59 minutes and earned $12.4 million worldwide. Critics gave it 64 on Metacritic.

worldwide gross
$12.4M
Metascore
64
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The Fourth Protocol (1987) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 59m (119 min)
Director
John Mackenzie
Genre
Thriller
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is The Fourth Protocol About?

The premise of The Fourth Protocol without spoilers, adapted from The Fourth Protocol by Frederick Forsyth. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

Demoted for his unconventional methods, British spy John Preston finds himself embroiled in a dangerous situation when a deadly KGB plot threatens national security. He must overcome bureaucratic obstacles and work with an MI5 director to stop Valeri Petrofsky from detonating a nuclear bomb within the country. The plan involves framing the United States for the attack, raising the stakes and demanding Preston confront his past actions to prevent a catastrophic event.

The Fourth Protocol Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • russian
  • england
  • courier
  • spy
  • sex scene
  • suburb
  • murder of a nude woman
  • secret agent
  • commando
  • wiretapping
  • premarital sex
  • scientist
+38 more
  • glasgow scotland
  • nuclear threat
  • nuclear bomb
  • subway
  • smuggling
  • security camera
  • home invasion
  • top secret
  • female spy
  • undercover agent
  • suspense
  • espionage
  • shootout
  • 1980s
  • politics
  • assembling an atomic bomb
  • shot to death
  • race against time
  • voyeur
  • investigation
  • blackmail
  • polonium
  • disc
  • motorcycle
  • traitor
  • treason
  • surveillance
  • meeting
  • top secret document
  • burglary
  • burglar alarm
  • wall safe
  • new year's eve
  • false identity
  • undercover
  • london england
  • russia
  • defector
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Cast & crew

The Fourth Protocol Cast

Michael Caine leads the cast, with Pierce Brosnan and Ray McAnally. Directed by John Mackenzie; 10 actors are credited in all.

From the director

More from John Mackenzie

More films directed by John Mackenzie, best-rated first: The Long Good Friday, Quicksand, When the Sky Falls and Aldrich Ames: Traitor Within.

Full filmography
Ratings

The Fourth Protocol Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave The Fourth Protocol 64 on Metacritic.

Plot

The Fourth Protocol Plot Summary

What happens in The Fourth Protocol from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

As the fragile peace established by the 1968 East-West agreement began to solidify, a precarious balance of power emerged, upheld by stringent protocols, including the Fourth Protocol, which banned unconventional means of delivering nuclear weapons. However, hidden beneath this veil of international cooperation, a secret operation was being orchestrated in Britain.

MI5 officer John Preston (Michael Caine) plunged into a covert mission aimed at infiltrating the residence of government official George Berenson. During his investigation, he uncovered top-secret NATO files that had mysteriously appeared. Unfortunately, his unauthorized methods brought embarrassment to Acting Director Brian Harcourt-Smith, leading to Preston’s demotion to a role managing “Airports and Ports,” a significant downgrade from his previous responsibilities.

Full summary

The whole story of The Fourth Protocol, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

The Fourth Protocol Box Office

The Fourth Protocol grossed $12.4 million worldwide.

1987 box office

Worldwide gross

$12.4M

US & Canada
$12.4M
Videos

The Fourth Protocol Trailers & Videos

2 videos: 2 trailers.

The Fourth Protocol ≣ 1987 ≣ Trailer
  • Trailer The Fourth Protocol (1987) Original Trailer
Quiz

How Well Do You Know The Fourth Protocol?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

Who is the MI5 officer that embarks on a clandestine mission?

Cars

Cars in The Fourth Protocol

92 cars on screen, including the 1985 BMW K 75 C and the 1980 Chevrolet Caprice Classic.

All 92 cars
  • 1985 BMW K 75 C in The Fourth Protocol 1985 BMW K 75 C Main role
  • 1980 Chevrolet Caprice Classic in The Fourth Protocol 1980 Chevrolet Caprice Classic Important role
  • 1986 Ford Escort XR3i MkIV in The Fourth Protocol 1986 Ford Escort XR3i MkIV Important role
  • 1986 Ford Transit MkIII in The Fourth Protocol 1986 Ford Transit MkIII Important role
Details

The Fourth Protocol Also Known As

29 alternative titles, including “A negyedik záradék” and “O 4º Protocolo”.

Also known as
  • A negyedik záradék
  • O 4º Protocolo
  • O Quarto Protocolo
  • 北极光
  • 核战风云
  • Le Quatrième protocole
  • Το 4ο πρωτόκολλο
  • Das Protokoll - Ein tödlicher Auftrag
  • Das 4. Protokoll
  • Das vierte Protokoll - Ein tödlicher Auftrag
  • 第四の核
  • Das vierte Protokoll
+17 more
  • Den fjerde protokol
  • El cuarto protocolo
  • Quarto protocollo
  • Το τέταρτο πρωτόκολλο
  • הפרוטוקול הרביעי
  • 第四条款
  • Neljäs sopimus
  • Čtvrtý protokol
  • 소련 KGB
  • Четвъртият протокол
  • Det fjärde protokollet
  • 北極光
  • Четвертый протокол
  • Czwarty Protokół
  • El quart protocol
  • Четвертий протокол
  • Dördüncü Protokol

Seen The Fourth Protocol?

FAQ

The Fourth Protocol FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, the book behind it and post-credit scenes of The Fourth Protocol, each answered in a sentence.

How long is The Fourth Protocol?

The Fourth Protocol runs 1 hour 59 minutes (119 minutes).

When was The Fourth Protocol released?

The Fourth Protocol was released on August 28, 1987.

Who directed The Fourth Protocol?

The Fourth Protocol was directed by John Mackenzie.

More films by John Mackenzie

Who is in the cast of The Fourth Protocol?

The Fourth Protocol stars Michael Caine, Pierce Brosnan and Ray McAnally, among 10 credited actors.

How much did The Fourth Protocol make at the box office?

The Fourth Protocol grossed $12.4 million worldwide.

How is The Fourth Protocol rated?

The Fourth Protocol has 64 on Metacritic and 62% on TMDB.

Is The Fourth Protocol based on a book?

Yes. The Fourth Protocol is adapted from The Fourth Protocol by Frederick Forsyth.

Does The Fourth Protocol have a post-credit scene?

No. The Fourth Protocol has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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