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The Ipcress File (1965) - Trailer Included
The Ipcress File
DVD Cover
Novel:Len Deighton
Starring:Michael Caine, Sue Llyod, Nigel Green, Guy Doleman, Aubrey Richards
“It isn't usual to read a B-107 to its subject, but I'm going to set you straight. "Insubordinate. Insolent. A trickster. Perhaps with criminal tendencies." – Major Dalby
To assume that the 60’s spy genre started and ended with the James Bond films, would be to omit the successful Harry Palmer series. After reading Len Deighton’s original novel, 007 Producer Harry Saltzman saw the potential to explore the life of a secret agent with a more cynical and down to earth approach.
First appearing in The Ipcress File then its sequels, Funeral in Berlin (1966), The Billion Dollar Brain (1967) and Bullet to Beijing (1995), Harry Palmer takes the glamour out of the espionage game.
An insubordinate counter intelligence operative, deceiving behind a pair of thick rimmed glasses, he shops at the supermarket and cooks his own meals. Sure he has a discerning palette and a way with the “birds”, but his approach is far removed from that of MI5’s most famous operative.
Assigned dull, tedious work like stakeouts due to some shady dealings in Berlin, Palmer chose covert operations over a stint in military prison.
The story opens with the abduction of a top level scientist named Dr Radcliffe and the assassination of an undercover agent tailing him. Palmer’s reputation for trickery, a quick wit and exploiting regulations are skills which promote him to the task of finding the kidnapped Doctor.
“You know, it's funny, if Radcliffe had been here, I'd have been a hero.”-Palmer
“He wasn't and you're not”-Major Dalby
Trying not to give too much away, Palmer uncovers a conspiracy involving brainwashing technology while simultaneously being framed for killing a CIA grunt.
As the danger increases, the plot twists and double dealing bureaucracies are as much of a threat as what is contained in the file titled Ipcress. (Induction of Psychoneuroses by Conditioned Reflex Under Stress)
John Doe says:
Snowballing in pace this intelligent thriller lures you in with surreal camerawork and metered story telling. Keeping key Bond elements in Composer John Barry (From Russia With Love), Set Designer Ken Adam (Dr No) and Editor Peter Hunt (Director of On Her Majesties Secret Service) makes for a uniquely disorientating representation of a cinematic world we thought we knew.
It is easy to see that Director Sidney J Furie (The Entity, Appaloosa) prioritised breaking the genre mold before it became set in stone.
You recall consistencies with the musical score and backgrounds but the obscure camera angles by cinematographer Otto Heller (Peeping Tom) and cliché free lead character make for captivating viewing and demand constant participation.
The script adaptation is thoughtful with an authentic ear for confidential communication while excelling at tough guy retorts that command the receiver think before responding.
Before the role of myopic Harry Palmer, working class brit Michael Caine (Get Carter, Sleuth, Italian Job) had only gained exposure with Zulu the year before, The Ipcress File was his crossover to stardom. Dominating every frame with purposefully fluctuating energy and a smarmy syntax to emit casual aloofness or focused fear that hints at danger but also the need to flee.
John Doe is very selective about the spy movies that engage him and a good brain warping yarn goes along way too. (See Manchurian Candidate, Jacobs Ladder)
The Ipcress File is an early English espionage classic that, along with Joseph L. Mankiewicz’ 5 Fingers starring James Mason, uses brains over Braun and shows that brandishing a license to Kill is not all it’s cracked up to be.
The DVD:
Transfer: Pan N Scan 4:3/2.0 Dolby Digital
Extras: Nil, an insult to fans everywhere. (The U.S release has a Director’s Commentary and more imporatntly is presented in the correct aspect ratio)
The cropped cinematography really destroys a lot of the attraction of the film and is shameful especially when the opening credits tease you with a taste of glorious framing and a more complete image.
Starring:Michael Caine, Sue Llyod, Nigel Green, Guy Doleman, Aubrey Richards
“It isn't usual to read a B-107 to its subject, but I'm going to set you straight. "Insubordinate. Insolent. A trickster. Perhaps with criminal tendencies." – Major Dalby
To assume that the 60’s spy genre started and ended with the James Bond films, would be to omit the successful Harry Palmer series. After reading Len Deighton’s original novel, 007 Producer Harry Saltzman saw the potential to explore the life of a secret agent with a more cynical and down to earth approach.
First appearing in The Ipcress File then its sequels, Funeral in Berlin (1966), The Billion Dollar Brain (1967) and Bullet to Beijing (1995), Harry Palmer takes the glamour out of the espionage game.
An insubordinate counter intelligence operative, deceiving behind a pair of thick rimmed glasses, he shops at the supermarket and cooks his own meals. Sure he has a discerning palette and a way with the “birds”, but his approach is far removed from that of MI5’s most famous operative.
Assigned dull, tedious work like stakeouts due to some shady dealings in Berlin, Palmer chose covert operations over a stint in military prison.
The story opens with the abduction of a top level scientist named Dr Radcliffe and the assassination of an undercover agent tailing him. Palmer’s reputation for trickery, a quick wit and exploiting regulations are skills which promote him to the task of finding the kidnapped Doctor.
“You know, it's funny, if Radcliffe had been here, I'd have been a hero.”-Palmer
“He wasn't and you're not”-Major Dalby
Trying not to give too much away, Palmer uncovers a conspiracy involving brainwashing technology while simultaneously being framed for killing a CIA grunt.
As the danger increases, the plot twists and double dealing bureaucracies are as much of a threat as what is contained in the file titled Ipcress. (Induction of Psychoneuroses by Conditioned Reflex Under Stress)
Do I Look like a Superspy?
John Doe says:
Snowballing in pace this intelligent thriller lures you in with surreal camerawork and metered story telling. Keeping key Bond elements in Composer John Barry (From Russia With Love), Set Designer Ken Adam (Dr No) and Editor Peter Hunt (Director of On Her Majesties Secret Service) makes for a uniquely disorientating representation of a cinematic world we thought we knew.
It is easy to see that Director Sidney J Furie (The Entity, Appaloosa) prioritised breaking the genre mold before it became set in stone.
You recall consistencies with the musical score and backgrounds but the obscure camera angles by cinematographer Otto Heller (Peeping Tom) and cliché free lead character make for captivating viewing and demand constant participation.
The script adaptation is thoughtful with an authentic ear for confidential communication while excelling at tough guy retorts that command the receiver think before responding.
Before the role of myopic Harry Palmer, working class brit Michael Caine (Get Carter, Sleuth, Italian Job) had only gained exposure with Zulu the year before, The Ipcress File was his crossover to stardom. Dominating every frame with purposefully fluctuating energy and a smarmy syntax to emit casual aloofness or focused fear that hints at danger but also the need to flee.
John Doe is very selective about the spy movies that engage him and a good brain warping yarn goes along way too. (See Manchurian Candidate, Jacobs Ladder)
The Ipcress File is an early English espionage classic that, along with Joseph L. Mankiewicz’ 5 Fingers starring James Mason, uses brains over Braun and shows that brandishing a license to Kill is not all it’s cracked up to be.
The DVD:
Transfer: Pan N Scan 4:3/2.0 Dolby Digital
Extras: Nil, an insult to fans everywhere. (The U.S release has a Director’s Commentary and more imporatntly is presented in the correct aspect ratio)
The cropped cinematography really destroys a lot of the attraction of the film and is shameful especially when the opening credits tease you with a taste of glorious framing and a more complete image.
Retro Trailer below
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Film & TV on DVD
The book of Ipcress is a fun read, the lead charecter is never named, so the filmmakers came up with the most ordinary sounding one they could and Harry Palmer was born.
I think you will enjoy the films dry sense of humour and smart dialogue Cib...
Old Movies
Cane Toad Warrior
Zulu is great too.
Billion Dollar Brain is farce but works really well if you don't try to think too much.
Zulu is an all time classic.
Film & TV on DVD
Hi Damo,
Great that someone has seen this classic....Ken Russel's Billion Dollar Brain does lag a bit but I agree it is still a fun movie.
Have you seen Funeral in Berlin? It's a little better and it's Directed by Guy Hamilton (Goldfinger, Live and Let Die)
The later sequel, Bullet To Beijing is inferior, but somehow they got Caine back again.
There is also a couple of other Harry Palmer films I haven't seen, but Michael Caine isnt in them.
Old Movies
Cane Toad Warrior
There are the initial three that were made in the 60s (Ipcress, Billion and Funeral) and then there are two other made-for-TV films which I think were funded by a Russian company (Bullet to Beijing and Midnight in St. Peterson... both apparently terrible).
Film & TV on DVD
I thought there was a couple without Caine, I never saw Midnighgt in St Petersburg because I didnt think he was in it.
Oh well Ive seen 4 of them, 3 are good enough to be in my collection, I dont think i need to have the Palmer name tarnished anyfurther by St Petersburg.