Posted in
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Guy Dolman
Michael Caine
Nigel Green
Sue Lloyd
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Genre
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Action
Thriller
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Media
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Blu-ray
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Studio | ITV Studios Home entertainment | ||
Language | English | ||
Subtitles | English | ||
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Reviewer
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Simon
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Description
This espionage thriller represents a landmark in spy movies, jettisoning the excesses of 007 and introducing the sly, dry intelligence agent Harry Palmer, played by Michael Caine, relishing a role that marked him for stardom. The story, based on Len Deighton's novel, centres on Palmer's investigation into British Intelligence security. He's soon enmeshed in a world of double-dealing, kidnap and murder and finds a traitor is operating at the heart of the secret service. Will the mysterious ‘Ipcress File' reveal who the traitor is? Produced by Harry Saltzman (the early Bond movies) and with an evocative score by Academy Award winning John Barry, The Ipcress File emerges as one of cinema's wittiest and grittiest thrillers.
Review
This film - and it's central character of Harry Palmer, is almost like the flipside of cinema's other famous spy, James Bond. Despite the presence of many the production team who worked on the early Bonds - Ken Adam, Peter Hunt, 007 producer Harry Saltzman, and composer John Barry, in many ways this seemed like an antithesis to Ian Fleming's creation.
The film takes place in rainy London which looks decidedly dreary next to any of 007's exotic locations. The performances of the cast are very good, particularly Michael Caine as Palmer. Our main character is really a rather ordinary guy, and un-glamorous - indeed, when we first see him he is just waking himself up in his flat, and making coffee. In fact I often got the feeling that he didn't really want to be a spy anyway, as his job mainly appears to involve mundane paperwork.
While the overall tone of the film is darker and more serious than the Bond oeuvre. it has its own wry sense of humour which I liked. One memorable line is "Don't come slouching into my office like a pregnant camel!"
There is a feeling of paranoia and unease present in the film, not surprising since the plot concerns the mind control of British scientists, and the search for a traitor. Maybe this ties in with the general feeling of the time in politics as well, considering it was the Cold War. There's some clever suspense and plot twists which can be exciting, and held my interest too.
John Barry's music in the film is excellently atmospheric and suits the mood - in fact the main theme, to my mind recalled the previous year's title song to Goldfinger in places.
The Blu Ray transfer looked impressive for such an old film, even bringing out details like the textures on peoples' skin.
The only extras on offer here are a trailer for the film, and a Photo Gallery, and the main feature is presented with optional English subtitles for the hard of hearing. To be honest, I found the extras disappointing - a commentary or retrospective documentary would have been welcome, given the extra space on Blu Ray discs. In fact, there's a DVD release of this film which has a commentary track, making it's omission here even more puzzling.
In my view this is an interesting, and absorbing film which is certainly worth seeing, even if it may not be as light-hearted or fun as Bond.
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