The Ipcress File (1965)

User Rating:

7.4/10   

Director:

Sidney J. Furie

Writers:

W.H. Canaway (screenplay) &
James Doran (screenplay)

Release Date:

2 August 1965 (USA)

Genre:

Thriller

Plot:

In London, a counter espionage agent deals with his own bureaucracy while investigating the kidnapping and brainwashing of British scientists.

Plot Keywords:

Scientist | Brainwashing | Spy | CIA Agent | First Of Series

Awards:

Won 3 BAFTA Film Awards. Another 2 wins & 4 nominations

Cast

Michael Caine	...	Harry Palmer
Nigel Green	...	Dalby
Guy Doleman	...	Ross
Sue Lloyd	...	Jean
Gordon Jackson	...	Carswell
Aubrey Richards	...	Radcliffe
Frank Gatliff	...	Bluejay
Thomas Baptiste	...	Barney
Oliver MacGreevy	...	Housemartin (as Oliver Macgreevy)
Freda Bamford	...	Alice
Pauline Winter	...	Charlady
Anthony Blackshaw	...	Edwards
Barry Raymond	...	Gray
David Glover	...	Chilcott-Oakes
Stanley Meadows	...	Inspector Keightley

Also Known As:

Len Deighton's The Ipcress File (UK) (complete title)

Runtime:

109 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English | Albanian

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Certification:

Australia:G (TV rating) | Australia:PG (original rating) | Germany:12 | Iceland:16 | UK:PG (2005) | Finland:K-16 | Spain:18 | Sweden:15 | West Germany:12 | UK:PG (video rating) (1987) | UK:A (original rating)

Filming Locations:

Birdcage Walk, St. James's Park, St. James's, London, England, UK

Company:

Rank Organisation, The

Trivia:

Christopher Plummer was originally considered for the lead role, but dropped out to star in The Sound of Music (1965). The role was then offered to Richard Harris who also refused it. Harris later rued his decision, commenting to Sean Connery that he "turned down 'The Ipcress File' but did Caprice (1967) with Doris Day".

Goofs:

Continuity: When Harry is transferred to Dalby, his secretary's cigarette disappears and reappears between shots.

Quotes:

Major Dalby: [of Palmer's dossier] It isn't usual to read a B-107 to its subject, Palmer, but I'm gonna put you straight. "Insubordinate. Insolent. A trickster. Perhaps with criminal tendencies."
Palmer: Yes, that's a pretty fair appraisal - sir.
Major Dalby: Good. That last quality might be useful. But if you give me any trouble Palmer, I shall *bite* you, Palmer! And I shall bite you so hard you'll go right back to where Ross found you!

Movie Connections:

Referenced in The Killing Zone (1999)

Thrilling

A fantastic 60s spy thriller. No flashy special effects, just dark alleys, edge of the seat suspense and high quality acting and screenplay.

It's Michael Caine at his best. It's probably the best of the Harry palmer series, but I haven't seen the whole set yet.

Definitely recommended.

9/10