Defense of the Realm (1985)

Denholm Elliott: Vernon Bayliss

Photos 

Quotes 

• Vernon Bayliss : Vodka and Coca-Cola. Detente in a glass!

• [Mullen shows Bayliss a group photograph in which Markham and Kleist are laughing together at a Prague conference] 

  Nicholas 'Nick' Mullen : You better take a look at that, Vernon.

  Vernon Bayliss : Okay, so what does that prove?

  Nicholas 'Nick' Mullen : It proves that your friend was lyin'. He said categorically that he'd never met Kleist before.

  Vernon Bayliss : Well, isn't it possible that Kleist could just have been another face in the crowd? That Markham didn't know who he was?

  Nicholas 'Nick' Mullen : Come on, Vernon! There's Markham, there's Kleist.

  Vernon Bayliss : Well, that doesn't prove that Markham's a Russian spy. You can't use it, Nick, you'll be crucified.

  Nicholas 'Nick' Mullen : All right. For four and a half years, this guy was Chairman of the Commons Select Committee on Defence, during which time he had access to our most important secrets. Right? No, let me finish. He shares his lover with a known KGB agent. Vernon, please let me finish! They then meet in Czechoslovakia and are seen laughing and talking at a conference. I mean, I've got to use it!

  Vernon Bayliss : Dennis Markham is not a traitor.

  Nicholas 'Nick' Mullen : Oh, I see. One old comrade sticking up for another, eh?

  Vernon Bayliss : What?

  Nicholas 'Nick' Mullen : You heard.

  Vernon Bayliss : I left the Party in 1956, for God's sake!

  Nicholas 'Nick' Mullen : Well, then you're in no bloody position to be objective!

  Vernon Bayliss : Oh, objectivity being the hallmark of this great and honorable newspaper! Spare me the humbug, dear boy!

  Nicholas 'Nick' Mullen : Give me a break, Vernon, you know how it is, it's a bloody good story!

  Vernon Bayliss : Oh, well, don't let the truth get in the way of a good story.