The Ipcress File
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Movie Reviews of The Ipcress File
Movie Review: The Anti-Bond, If You Will...
Summary: 4 Stars
Michael Caine's Harry Palmer -- the character is nameless in the Len Deighton novels; as he is also the first-person narrator, this works, but for this film, (third-person all the way) it was felt that he needed a name -- is just as escapist a fantasy as Connery's Bond, but in a different manner. Deliberately deglamorised and *presented* as just a relatively ordinary man, if of a somewhat dubious moral character, doing his best to keep out of trouble, Palmer nonetheless is, underneath, a bit more.Blackmailed into espionage with the threat of well-earned prison time, Palmer is a useful foot-soldier in the sordid, quiet war of espionage and counter-espionage, set to unmask a traitor -- but who *is* the traitor -- is there anyone at all that he can trust?
Michael Caine (this was the first film in which i had seen him) inhabits the role of Harry Palmer and makes it totally his, a man of contradictions -- a working class man, but one who genuinely loves and appreciates the finer things, unlike Fleming's (and, to some extent, the Bond movies') Bond, an amoral thug who apes the manners and tastes of his betters.
The apparently-realistic dreary grey London streets and settings add to this film's apparently-realistic approach, all the better to persuade the viewer to suspend his disbelief and accept the rather complex plot, especially when we get to the brainwashing parts...
First of three films, this was a series that *could* have rivalled Bond but fizzled out in the end.
All three, however, are well worth your time.
Movie Review: Intelligent, well-acted spy thriller
Summary: 4 Stars
"The Ipcress File" is a gripping spy thriller that was a big hit back in 1966. This was the time when Michael Caine was a rising young star, and this movie was an excellent showcase for his talent. Visually, the movie is dated in spots, especially in its use of psychedelic colors and images in the brainwashing sequences. These images, along with Caine's character's wearing of thick-lensed, horn-rimmed eye glasses, were later parodied in spy spoofs, most notably in the Austin Powers series. Fortunately, the story is as engrossing as ever, and Caine's Harry Palmer remains one of the most indelible movie characters ever. Harry Palmer is a shrewd, cocky, amoral Army sergeant who was busted in Germany for some illegal trading. Sensing his abilities, the British army has offered to keep him out of prison in exchange for his becoming a spy. It's the threat of prison that keeps the freedom-loving Harry in line. [This plot device has been used countless times since "The Ipcress File" was released, most recently in "XXX".] When a prominent British scientist is kidnapped, Harry's boss loans him out to another department. What our confident hero doesn't realize is that he's being used as bait. By whom and for what purpose is what keeps the suspense going right up to the movie's tense climax.
"The Ipcress File" is in the category of spy movies which, unlike James Bond films, portray the characters as participants in a dark, sinister and deadly serious game. In this game, only the hero can be trusted.
Movie Review: BOND meets BULLITT
Summary: 4 Stars
THE IPCRESS FILE does for espionage films what BULLITT did for police films; it provides what seems to be a realistic depiction of the trade as opposed to Hollywood glamourization. And it succeeds marvelously.Caine turns in an excellent performance as Harry Palmer, a secret agent investigating the "brain drain" of leading government physicists who have been kidnapped only to reappear with their scientific knowledge erased. In additon to providing the audience with an alternative to James Bond, dealing daily with paperwork and beaurocracy and completely devoid of gadgets, the film gives the viewer real insight into counter-espionage techniques, portraying Plamer as more of a detective than a playboy (did James Bond ever take time away from the casino to locate Blofeld by tracking down the location of his most frequently issued parking tickets?).
I very much enjoy the direction of this film, which made impressive use of the widescreen format. Low, angled shots add to the drama immensely. My one complaint is that, while performances are all top-notch, the plot fizzles upon resolution and it seems as if apprehension of the key villain is as unimportant as reversing the "brain drain." The entire experience of THE IPCRESS FILE is good enough, however, that this does little to hamper the viewer's enjoyment of this film.
Movie Review: Palmer, Harry Palmer...
Summary: 4 Stars
1965's "The Ipcress File" is an extremely well executed dramatization of Len Deighton's excellent spy novel of the same name. In one of his earlier roles, Michael Caine stars as British secret agent Harry Palmer, working class spy but smarter and tougher than he looks.
Palmer is assigned to a mysterious case in which top British scientists disappear for a few days, then reappear having been brainwashed to uselessness. The only clue is a fragment of recording tape with the word "Ipcress." Whoever is kidnapping the scientists is prepared to kill to protect the process, as Palmer's colleagues discover. When Palmer gets too close to the secret, he too is kidnapped. Palmer will struggle for his freedom and his very sanity to complete his mission.
The movie borrows the crisp, snappy dialogue of the original novel, while Michael Caine nicely captures Harry Palmer's working class, anti-James Bond personna. While the plotline is perhaps deliberately opaque, the direction is crisp and the movie uses a variety of intriguing shooting angles to add to the suspense, which builds nicely to a surprise ending.
This movie is highly recommended to fans of Michael Caine and of Len Deighton, who will find this a dated but still very enjoyable film.
Movie Review: Classic Resurfaces on DVD - Great film, subpar commentary.
Summary: 4 Stars
Ipcress doesn't disappoint - Caine carries off a remarkable performance as the Brit agent Palmer, rescuing his lines through inspired delivery and timing. The film's camerawork and composition are a sight to behold, provided an appreciation for frequently underlit scenes. Certainly a film with a (wry?) sense of humor - case in point: the exchange of words in the supermarket. If you won't consider purchasing Ipcress, do yourself a favor and rent it some night.
For those looking forward to the commentary (as I was) - the running commentary is subpar, perhaps the worst I've listened through yet. Neither of the gentlemen involved (Sidney Furie, Peter Hunt) can recall the plot sequences in the film very clearly and so spend quite a bit of time audibly guessing what will happen next. The track does reveal a few interesting tidbits, but it is unfortunate that most of these revelations find mention again and again.