The Ipcress File

For a film made in 1965, The Ipcress File has aged well. Based on the first of Len Deighton’s best-selling novels of the time, all featuring his anti-hero Harry Palmer, these books as well as the film can be seen as an antidote to Ian Fleming’s Bond novels. As The Ipcress File demonstrates only too well, the spying business isn’t all glamour, fast cars, and fab gadgets! That said, compared to The Ipcress File, the Bond novels and movies are a doddle to follow!

Gourmet cook and reluctant civil servant Harry Palmer (Sir Michael Caine) is blackmailed into MI5 (or is it MI6?) by top dog Colonel Ross (Guy Doleman). However, there is no chance of an Aston Martin for Harry (Ross informs him that he will try to raise his annual income from 1300.- to 1400.-). Not exactly a lot of money for putting your life on the line. But when a man loves his country…
Palmer is to start working in Major Dalby’s (Nigel Green) department, where he and the unit try to solve the kidnapping of top scientist Radcliffe. Palmer’s predecessor, whose desk he is to occupy, has gone missing presumed dead whilst investigating the Ipcress file. Fellow operative Carswell (Gordon Jackson) stumbles across a book titled "Induction of Psychoneuroses by Conditioned Reflex under Stress": IPCRESS, which he believes explains what may have happened to Radcliffe, and soon finds himself dead at the crossroads. Palmer is given a number of false leads by rival agent Bluejay, all of which lead precisely nowhere and culminates in his abduction and brainwashing. Sounds convoluted and confusing? Don’t worry, it gets a hell of a lot more so! The thrilling climax is however worth waiting for!

This was perhaps the first time ever that we had a leading man in a role like this with a Cockney accent, and Caine acquits himself well. Guy Doleman as Colonel Ross oozes slimy charm as Palmer’s boss. However, it isn’t altogether a man’s world, as a little touch of glamour is supplied by 60’s icon Sue Lloyd in the role of fellow operative Jean Courtney.
Paceily directed by S. J. Furie and atmospherically photographed by Otto Heller, the film also boasts a brilliant score by legendary composer John Barry.

SPECIAL FEATURES:

Michael Caine is Harry Palmer - exclusive interview with Sir Michael Caine
The Design File - exclusive interview with production designer Sir Ken Adam
Commentary with director Sidney Furie and film editor Peter Hunt
Michael Caine Goes Stella comedy short
1969 documentary: Candid Caine
Original theatrical trailer (HD), textless material (HD) and US radio commercials
Extensive image galleries (HD)
Commemorative booklet