The Ipcress File and British Spy films

[Postmaster]

Can there be any more satisfying response to the glamour of James Bond films than this downplayed masterpiece. The slow and difficult process. The various forms to be filled. A secret East European base that has been set up like a film set to fool our reluctant hero.

There is a whole genre of films that seem singularly suited to the UK and that is the spy film. The Harry Palmer films, The Quiller Memorandum, the TV series Danger Man, John Le Carre adaptions. There is something in the nature of British drama that suits the subtle intricacies of cold war set escapades that just doesn't work as well with any other nationality. There aren't many genres the British can claim in the way the Americans can claim the western, the musical and the hard boiled thriller but this would seem to be one.

Jago.

[Bix]

Many of the films of the type you mention have a sort of malevolent outcome in plotting, which can repel me - but the sheer plausibility of the better ones keep me coming back. IPCRESS and THE SPY WHO CAME IN FROM THE COLD, for example, stand up to repeated viewings due to the believability.

And perhaps also DR. NO, in that the 70's excess of the 007 franchise was totally absent. Also that one has both British and American characters sympathetically portrayed in the SAME film at the SAME time (Connery opposite Jack Lord)! Amazing.

[Gibbie]

You are quite right, the British have the cold war spy story down. Times have changed though, but I'm certain that future stories will make their way.

Personally, I think this has a lot to do with the vast intrigues that have set the course for the nation and its effects on many parts of the world.

I'm sure some Euro-style intrigue will be next and that some erstwhile British character will be thrown into. . .

[mysteriesofedgarwallace]

The Ipcress File, The Spy Who Came in From The Cold, and Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy [yes not a film, but still a masterpiece]

I've gone all dewey eyed.

I could watch Ipcress 20 times a day and still love every second of it.

What I love about it is the intricate detail.

Check this link for the best "Harry Palmer" website:-

Harry Palmer and other stories

[Hackett]

I've just read David Lodge's account of how he did not get the shopkeepers part (Bernard Lee got it) in "THE SPY WHO CAME IN FROM THE COLD". Lodge remarks that the director, Martin Ritt, was not happy with the choice of Richard Burton. I find it difficult to think who else they could of cast at that time. Any thoughts?.

[mysteriesofedgarwallace]

HACKETT: I find it difficult to think who else they could of cast at that time. Any thoughts?.

How about:-

Patrick Mcgoohan (I think I may have spelled that wrong!!, it doesn't look right!!

or Edward Woodward

or John Thaw (fresh from "Dead Man's Chest")

or, sorry to sound obvious, how about Michael Caine!?!?!?!?

:)

[Gibbie]

McGoohan is great, but it wasn't him. He was very particular of his parts. Drake suited him well.

I think Woodward was too composed for the part.

Thaw was young and Michael Caine was too mod for the part.

Can't think of that film apart from Richard Burton - he was the man with the edge back then and hit it dead on.

Gibbie

[Hackett]

Yes I agree Gibbie. Caine 32 was to young and freshfaced Thaw was even younger at only 23. Woodward 35, maybe, but he was a bit freshfaced, lean, mean and hungry in 1965. McGoohan 36 having played John Drake for so long had to much screen baggage. That hero aura that type's actors. Burton had only just turned 40 but looked world weary and exhausted. It was wright man, wright part and wright time for me. And lets face it he was Alec Leamas. Great acting and one of his best roles.

[deckard]

What about two late greats - Alan Bates Or Richard Harris? Mmmm out of the two I think Alan Bates would have worked better.

[Gibbie]

I have to agree with Hackett on this one, Burton was Leamus, especially when he went on about "What do you think spys are...".

Though he was Welsh, he really got the anglicized Irishman thing down.

I think it is the middlepoint in the Cold War genre with Third Man at the beginning and The Whistle Blower at the end.

Gibbie

[dylan]

HACKETT: I've just read David Lodge's account of how he did not get the shopkeepers part (Bernard Lee got it) in "THE SPY WHO CAME IN FROM THE COLD". Lodge remarks that the director, Martin Ritt, was not happy with the choice of Richard Burton. I find it difficult to think who else they could of cast at that time. Any thoughts?.

John Le Carre was unhappy too. In a recent interview he said he wanted Peter Finch.

[Lord Brett]

Finch! Of course, he would have been perfect.

There are many lesser known examples of the post-le Carre British spy movie which deserve to be better known. Try to check out the following:

Innocent Bystanders - 1972, starring Stanley Baker
Callan - 1974 - the film of the TV series
Charlie Muffin - 1979. Made for TV but still excellent, my favourite role for David Hemmings
The Executioner - 1970, starring George Peppard
Danger Route - 1968, starring a very angry Richard Johnson.

Any other titles I should seek out?

[mysteriesofedgarwallace]

Callan was an excellent film, also a cracking series.
Deeply saddened by the recent death of Russell Hunter.
I feel that both Hunter and Woodward made their parts their own, with some superb interaction between the two of them.
Interestingly, in one of those awful 'TOP 100' things, Callan was voted No1 TV hard man, something I would agree with totally, ice cold and hard as rock; I don't think I would have ever argued with David Callan.

[Lord Brett]

Callan is my absolute favourite show. You should check out Innocent Bystanders (if you can, I've not seen it turn up for some time) - it's by Callan creator James Mitchell, and is very Callanesque indeed.

It's from a series of spy novels Mitchell wrote (under the name James Munro) both before and during the run of Callan, and the two are very similar.

Mitchell’s series of Callan novels is also quite excellent – in my view the best TV spin-off novels ever written.

I’d love to see a DVD release of the full series (I gather most of the BW episodes still exist), but I gather that the first colour season didn’t sell well. It’s a shame as the final colour season is superb.

[Gibbie]

One post-LeCarre-Cold-War story that has an espionage quality is "Into the Blue" with John Thaw.

Going in reverse, Eric Ambler was the father of the suspense spy novel (30s and 40s) and is a good read. These novels would make good films. One older classic was "The Mask of Dimitrios" with Peter Lorre.

Gibbie