Two handsome young men attending an English boarding school during the 1930's have a homosexual affair, but disdain to conceal their mutual affection. The hypocrisy of the other boys attending the school, many of whom are also having affairs, eventually drives the altruistic couple to extreme measures.

An elderly, exiled British spy looks back on his life at school during an interview with an American journalist. As he remembers his days at an English boarding school in the 1930s, the film moves to Britain chronicling his young life. In school, he falls in love with a young, male classmate, exploring his homosexuality. He is also exposed to Marxist ideas for the first time, both of which, ostensibly, contribute to his later activities as a spy.

Film debut for British stage actor Colin Firth, born in 1961 in Hampshire, England.

The lead character in the film, Guy Bennett, is based on British spy Guy Burgess, also the subject of John Schlesinger's film "An Englishman Abroad." "Another Country" is also thematically related to Lindsay Anderson's 1968 film "if...".

Co-produced by Castlezone; with assistance from Eastern Counties Newspaper Group, Robert Fox Ltd., and the National Film Development Fund.

Made on location in England.

The film premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in May 1984.

Hymns sung by the Trinity Boys Choir; choirmaster, David Squibb; choir coordinator, Peter Waygood.

Musicians: Gavin Wright, Ray Singer, Helen Liebman, Simon Chamberlain, Bud Beadle.

Additional cast: Frederick Alexander (Jim Menzies), Adrian Ross-Magenty (Wharton), Geoffrey Bateman (Yevgeni), Philip Dupuy (Martineau), and Guy Henry (Head Boy).

Additional credits: Ross Carver (hairdresser) and Aaron Sherman (special makeup).

Produced on the stage by Robert Fox Ltd. and Memorial Films. American premiere presented at the Long Wharf Theatre.

Rated BBFC 15 by the British Board of Film Classification.

Copyright 1984 Eastern Counties Newspapers Group Ltd.

At the end of the film is updated information on the main characters: Guy Bennett defected to Russia in 1955. Tommy Judd died March 11, 1937, at the age of 22, fighting for the Republicans in the Spanish Civil War. James Harcourt was chairman of a London merchant bank. He is married with three children. Guy Bennett was the godfather to his eldest son. Fowler left the army as a major in 1959. Following an unsuccessful career in business, he retired to Bexhill-on-Sea. Jim Menzies became a Conservative MP in 1951. After a succession of senior appointments, culminating in the Chancellor of the Exchequer, he was elevated to the House of Lords.

DVD Features:

Region 1
Keep Case
Single Side - Dual Layer
Full Frame - 1.33
Additional Release Material:
Audio Commentary
Interviews
Music Clips
Text/Photo Galleries:
Photo Galleries

Distributor Notes: Hailed as being one of Britain's most powerful films, "Another Country" examines how the sexual and political life of a 1930's English public school spawned the spy scandals of the post-war years. Loosely based on the lives of notorious traitors Guy Burgess and Donald Maclean, the story recounts the events which affect Guy Bennett, a clever, hedonistic young man nearing the end of his final years in a prestigious boarding school. Rupert Everett gives an outstanding performance as Bennett, who becomes an outcast, and turns from a prime candidate for a brilliant career in the diplomatic service to a revolutionary spirit and ultimately, a lonely exile in the Soviet Union. (VHS Cover)

Source: Warner Home Video

Rupert Everett: British Actor
Colin Firth: British Actor

Marek Kanievska: Director

"...[Rupert Everett] strides away with the picture..."
"...Engrossing....[The] film is marvelously acted down the line..."
"[The filmmakers] work with extraordinary grace and intelligence to bring Bennett's perspective to life..."