Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Moderate
- breezy
- cynical
- mildly tense
- action movie night
- spy thriller marathon
What critics said
Critics generally regarded the film as a lightweight, inexpensive spy thriller that benefits from Michael Caine's return as Harry Palmer but struggles with dated material and uneven execution.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Harry Palmer loses his job because the Cold War has ended, making professional displacement part of the premise.
The stolen Red Death biochemical weapon motivates Harry's retrieval mission and the competing loyalties aboard the train.
Alex recruits Harry in St. Petersburg while presenting a vision for Russia's future threatened by the stolen weapon.
The train journey gradually reveals whose side the passengers and operatives are really on.
Films like Bullet to Beijing, and why
The Ipcress File
shared espionage intrigue, cynical British agent, and Cold War spy-film tradition
The Russia House
shared aging-spy protagonist, international conspiracy, and understated espionage tone
The Fourth Protocol
shared globe-spanning spy adventure, covert factions, and bioweapon stakes
Movie Details
- Director
- George Mihalka
- Release Date
- 1995-12-20
- Runtime
- 101 min
- Rating
- 5.2 / 10 (44)
Cast
- Michael Caine
- Jason Connery
- Mia Sara
- Michael Gambon
- Michael Sarrazin
- Lev Prygunov
- Patrick Allen
- Sue Lloyd
- Burt Kwouk
- John Dunn-Hill
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Bullet to Beijing about?
- An unemployed British spy is hired to recover a stolen biochemical weapon before it reaches Beijing by train.
- What is Bullet to Beijing like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Bullet to Beijing as brisk, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Bullet to Beijing violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Bullet to Beijing as moderate.
- What did critics think of Bullet to Beijing?
- Critics generally regarded the film as a lightweight, inexpensive spy thriller that benefits from Michael Caine's return as Harry Palmer but struggles with dated material and uneven execution.
- Which films are like Bullet to Beijing?
- Films with a similar feel include The Ipcress File, The Russia House, and The Fourth Protocol.
- How long is Bullet to Beijing?
- Bullet to Beijing runs 101 minutes.
- Where can I watch Bullet to Beijing?
- In United States, Bullet to Beijing is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Fandango At Home.
