The Ipcress File – 1965 | 109mins | Thriller | Colour

Plot Synopsis

Michael Caine’s myopic intelligence man Harry Palmer underplayed the Bond-style heroics but set a new standard of 60s cool. A defining Cold War espionage thriller accompanied by John Barry’s accomplished musical score, two further Harry Palmer films; Funeral in Berlin and Billion Dollar Brain followed.

In this slick, gripping version of the Len Deighton novel, Harry Palmer becomes a government intelligence agent to avoid an army court-martial, his latest assignment is to investigate a scientific brain drain along with agent Dalby (Nigel Green). Their mission is to locate the kidnappers of missing doctor Radcliffe (Aubrey Richards), make a deal with them for the return of their latest victim and a valuable file in his possession. Harry bargains for the scientists return but discovers the man has been brain washed; the spy agency wants their ransom money back and wishes to know the identity of the kidnappers. Harry continues on the trail and then discovers one of his bosses is a double agent. Nigel Green and Gordon Jackson lend authentic support; Sue Lloyd is the woman seduced by Harry’s kitchen skills.