This is a good CIA thriller.The KGB is not happy with the way Glasnost was playing out in the Soviet Union. They hire an international assassin to kill the Soviet leader. Then, the KGB goes on and starts killing off all of its agents who know anything about the plot.After most of his friends are dead, one KGB bodyguard reaches out to the CIA with the assassination news. Because of the delicate times, the CIA hires a long-retired agent (for "deniability" if he's caught), to collect the info, to make a deal with the KGB bodyguard, and then to turn the info in to the CIA. But, he has no idea that the stakes are so high (thanks to the CIA lying to him).After he arrives in Russia, he quickly realizes that BIG things are happening. He takes refuge with Helen Mirren (an old girlfriend). Meanwhile the KGB re-activates Max von Sydow to track him down, and kill him.I enjoy this movie. While it's a thriller, it isn't gory, and it isn't super-fast paced. The casting is great, including Barry Corbin.

Like many Cold War thrillers, "Red King, White Knight" has become somewhat dated by the flow of historical events. Still, it remains a taut and enjoyable thriller. The plot centers on an internal KGB plan to assassinate the Soviet General Secretary at the time of the begins of the real reform movement. The film, done for cable by HBO, is well acted throughout, especially by Mirren and von Sydow.It is by no means a masterpiece - the pacing at times seems to get sluggish, particularly those scenes dealing with the CIA's formulation of the Presidential briefing. Many of the smaller characters are too cardboard and one dimensional. Finally, action fans may find the film a bit too psychological for their tastes. But therein also lies its strengths as each of the main characters wrestles with their own past, ideologies and beliefs while trying to determine how to react to the KGB plot. All in all, a good view.