Salting the Battlefield

TV Movie
2014
TV-PG
1h 33m

IMDb RATING

6.6/10

4.8K

YOUR RATING

Helena Bonham Carter and Bill Nighy in Salting the Battlefield (2014)

Action Crime Drama Mystery

MI5 officer Johnny Worricker and Margot Tyrell are on the run together across Europe. But Worricker knows his only chance of resolving his problems is to return home and confront his nemesis... Read allMI5 officer Johnny Worricker and Margot Tyrell are on the run together across Europe. But Worricker knows his only chance of resolving his problems is to return home and confront his nemesis, the prime minister.MI5 officer Johnny Worricker and Margot Tyrell are on the run together across Europe. But Worricker knows his only chance of resolving his problems is to return home and confront his nemesis, the prime minister.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

6.6/10

4.8K

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Awards
- 2 nominations

Trivia
The meaning and relevance of this film's 'Salting the Battlefield' title is that it is a reference to the malicious treatment of the ancient city of Carthage by the ancient Romans. Writer David Hare has said: ''After the Romans came and wiped you out and destroyed you and killed all your young men, they then threw salt on the battlefield so that your crops would never grow. So salting the battlefield means destroying utterly.

Goofs
When Johnny Worricker walks towards the ferry then off the ferry, he casually carries two cases of wine in his left arm. The wine alone would weigh approx 18Kg (40lbs) not to mention the bottles, but the ease with which he carries them suggests that the cases were empty.

Quotes
Jill Tankard: It's one thing to go around saying what you want. The test comes when you are actually given the chance to get it. When they wanted to get rid of Margaret Thatcher, John Major got toothache so he didn't have to answer his phone. A week later he was prime minister. How are your teeth?
Anthea Catcheside: Just beginning to ache.
Jill Tankard: Good, I'm glad to hear it.

Connections
Featured in The Wright Stuff: Episode #19.60 (2014)

User reviews25

Review

Featured review

9/10

Good finish to the trilogy!

I really like 'Page Eight', the first movie in this trilogy. 'Turks & Caicos', the second movie, wasn't as good, but it was OK. This last movie was as good as the first one! All in all, a very good set. I really enjoyed them. If you enjoyed 'Tinker, Taylor, Soldier, Spy' (1979) and 'Smiley's People' (1982) both by the BBC then you will enjoy this series too. It's the same style of movies/mini-series about the world of spies. The old BBC mini-series are classics, both of them, and 10 out of 10. This trilogy is 8/10. Bill Nighy (as Johnny Worricker) is the lead character in all three movies and he does a great job. Ralph Fiennes is also very good as the Prime Minister. The only actor I didn't like was Helena Bonham Carter: like someone else has already stated she didn't make a very convincing spy.