Redstar

Might have been done before but interested to know what members top British (or filmed in Britain) spy films are. Mine so far would be

The Ipcress File, 39 steps (Hitchcock version) Deadly Affair, The Spy who came in from the Cold, The Lady Vanishes.

Nick Dando

The Man Who Knew Too Much (Leslie Banks), Secret Agent, The Spy in Black, Contraband, Carry on Spying.
Although it's not a film, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy.

Nick

DB7

The Ipcress File must be amongst the best but I've a soft spot for the Callan feature and the Hitchcockian I See a Dark Stranger.

ChristineCB

I did a search on Keyword=british-spy and a few other choices, but the great majority are James Bond movies. I'm surprised by that.

THE MAN WHO WASN'T THERE isn't exactly a spy film, but it is about wartime intelligence services. I'm not sure that would qualify as a 'spy film' exactly, although Steven Boyd wasn't exactly a chips-vendor on the corner... maybe he should have brought his chariot instead.

IPCRESS FILE, yes. FOURTH PROTOCOL with Caine and Pierce Brosnan is maybe my latest enjoyable one, but favorite? Hmmm.

39 STEPS and THE LADY VANISHES would get nods.

Anyone seen or could review BILLION DOLLAR BRAIN, DEADFALL, GAMBIT? These are Michael Caine spy types, but I haven't seen them.

penfold

It never gets mentioned in this context, but CONTRABAND, by Powell and Pressburger but very much in the style of pre-war Hitchcock, is an absolute belter.

Bit of a Bay Window, what??

Redstar

One I forgot to mention was "Ring of Spies" starring Bernard Lee, David Kossof and Margaret Tyzack. made in 1963, filmed a lot on location, not enthralling but a bit above average.

Nick Dando

Next of Kin, although it's about the German Intelligence Service.

Nick

brianl

How about Cottage to Let?

Brian L

Moor Larkin

Charlie Muffin was a worthy 'next generation' Harry Palmer, but David Hemmings never quite repeated Michael Caines' success. Perhaps the moment was past...

[code]http://www.flickr.com/photos/29487363@N02/sets/72157606700675506/code]

samkydd

Although it's not a spy film one of my favourites is Kind Hearts and Coronets!

Seriously though Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy would have made a marvellous movie, probably the greatest spy story of all time. If they tried to make it now, post Cold War, I doubt it would have the same impact! Although having said that the Russians are clearly up to their old tricks in London so we could be heading back that way fairly soon!

"...the chairman of Littlewoods stores made a Keynote speech!"

Jim

Yes CTL is a good 'un and John Mills does a terrific 'dying act'!

Good morning boys.

Jim

Russians up to their old tricks? Quite topical eh?

Good morning boys.

samkydd

Yes but these days it'd be much harder because there are a few more Alexei Alexander Poliokovs in the London 'phone book than in Smiley's day!

I called out a plumber the other day, and he told me he used to be a colonel in the KGB! Our postman was Commander-in-Chief of the East German Stasi and the barman in our local used to be the Prime Minister of Lithuania!

"...the chairman of Littlewoods stores made a Keynote speech!"

ChristineCB

Texas, too, has a relatively new Russian influx, they tell me, and few of them claim to associate with each other because of "KGB". But then again, isn't that exactly what a KGB-type would say?!!

With as many food wars and cook-offs as we have here, I'm disappointed that we haven't seen the Russians take advantage of their Borscht Gap.

Dave Rattigan

I just bought the Bulldog Drummond double bill (Deadlier than the Male/Some Girls Do) with Richard Johnson. I doubt they're going to make the "best British spy films" list, as they're pretty cheesy, but they're an intriguing couple of films, which I didn't even know existed until I saw them advertised on Play.com.

They're Ralph Thomas/Betty Box collaborations with all-star Brit casts. Having seen a bit of them, I can see why Richard Johnson was offered (or considered for) the role of Bond.