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IMDbPro

The Ipcress File

  • 19651965
  • PassedPassed
  • 1h 49m
IMDb RATING
7.2/10
16K
YOUR RATING
The Ipcress File (1965)
In London, a counter espionage Agent deals with his own bureaucracy while investigating the kidnapping and brainwashing of British scientists.
Play trailer3:02
1 Video
47 Photos
  • Drama
  • Thriller
In London, a counterespionage agent deals with his own bureaucracy while investigating the kidnapping and brainwashing of British scientists.In London, a counterespionage agent deals with his own bureaucracy while investigating the kidnapping and brainwashing of British scientists.In London, a counterespionage agent deals with his own bureaucracy while investigating the kidnapping and brainwashing of British scientists.
IMDb RATING
7.2/10
16K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Sidney J. Furie
  • Writers
    • Len Deighton(novel)
    • W.H. Canaway(screenplay)
    • James Doran(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Michael Caine
    • Nigel Green
    • Guy Doleman
Top credits
  • Director
    • Sidney J. Furie
  • Writers
    • Len Deighton(novel)
    • W.H. Canaway(screenplay)
    • James Doran(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Michael Caine
    • Nigel Green
    • Guy Doleman
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 126User reviews
    • 69Critic reviews
    • 66Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Won 3 BAFTA Awards
      • 5 wins & 4 nominations total

    Videos1

    Official Trailer
    Trailer 3:02
    Official Trailer

    Photos47

    Michael Caine in The Ipcress File (1965)
    Michael Caine in The Ipcress File (1965)
    Sue Lloyd in The Ipcress File (1965)
    Michael Caine and Sue Lloyd in The Ipcress File (1965)
    Sidney J. Furie in The Ipcress File (1965)
    Michael Caine in The Ipcress File (1965)
    Guy Doleman in The Ipcress File (1965)
    Sue Lloyd in The Ipcress File (1965)
    Michael Caine and Nigel Green in The Ipcress File (1965)
    Barbara Roscoe in The Ipcress File (1965)
    Nigel Green in The Ipcress File (1965)
    Nigel Green in The Ipcress File (1965)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Michael Caine
    Michael Caine
    • Harry Palmeras Harry Palmer
    Nigel Green
    Nigel Green
    • Major Dalbyas Major Dalby
    Guy Doleman
    Guy Doleman
    • Colonel H.L. Rossas Colonel H.L. Ross
    Sue Lloyd
    Sue Lloyd
    • Jean Courtneyas Jean Courtney
    Gordon Jackson
    Gordon Jackson
    • Jock Carswellas Jock Carswell
    Aubrey Richards
    • Dr. Radcliffeas Dr. Radcliffe
    Frank Gatliff
    Frank Gatliff
    • Bluejayas Bluejay
    Thomas Baptiste
    Thomas Baptiste
    • Barneyas Barney
    Oliver MacGreevy
    • Housemartinas Housemartin
    Freda Bamford
    Freda Bamford
    • Aliceas Alice
    Pauline Winter
    • Charladyas Charlady
    Anthony Blackshaw
    Anthony Blackshaw
    • Edwardsas Edwards
    Barry Raymond
    • Grayas Gray
    David Glover
    • Chilcott-Oakesas Chilcott-Oakes
    Stanley Meadows
    Stanley Meadows
    • Inspector Pat Keightleyas Inspector Pat Keightley
    Peter Ashmore
    • Sir Robertas Sir Robert
    Mike Murray
    • Raid Inspectoras Raid Inspector
    • (as Michael Murray)
    Anthony Baird
    • Raid Sergeantas Raid Sergeant
    • (as Antony Baird)
    • Director
      • Sidney J. Furie
    • Writers
      • Len Deighton(novel)
      • W.H. Canaway(screenplay)
      • James Doran(screenplay)
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Harry Palmer is depicted as an accomplished cook, but when you see Palmer skillfully break a couple of eggs, the hands in the close-up belong to Len Deighton, author of the book on which this movie was based. Deighton was an accomplished cook and also wrote a comic strip about cooking for The Observer. The walls of Palmer's kitchen are full of these strips.
    • Goofs
      When Harry Palmer returns to his apartment to find the dead CIA agent sprawled on his living room floor, the dead man's mouth is open. When the camera cuts from Palmer back to the dead man, the dead man's mouth is now closed.
    • Quotes

      Major Dalby: The next time you use CC1 authority, just you make sure you have it!

      Palmer: You know, it's funny... If Radcliffe had been here, I'd have been... a hero.

      Major Dalby: He wasn't. And you're not.

    • Connections
      Featured in V.I.P.-Schaukel: Episode #8.1 (1978)
    • Soundtracks
      The Ipcress File (Main Title)
      Composed, Arranged and Conducted by John Barry

    User reviews126

    Review
    Top review
    A Class Movie
    Michael Caines first outing as secret agent Harry Palmer is set in 60's London. This is not the Psychedelic London of Austin Powers or the Beatles, neither is it the sophisticated aristocratic London of James Bond. This London is drab and populated by civil servants & bedsits. This London is still coming to terms with the end of World War II and the advent of a modern world.

    Working Class Palmer is an unwilling Home Office agent with criminal tendencies who is more interested in a pay rise so that he can indulge his true passion, gourmet cooking, than serving his country. His superiors, Ross (played by Guy Doleman) & Dalby (Played by Nigel Green) represent a microcosm of the British Upper & Lower Middle Classes. Palmer is clearly more cultured in his appreciation of food, music(Mozart & Bach) & women, "I like Birds Best" Palmer admits to Courtney played by Sue Lloyd (of Crossroads fame in UK).

    Palmers superiors appear uninterested in the fate of their subordinates and this is one reason why the character of Palmer works so well, we are him, he lives our lives and we want him to win through. This perspective is aided by the stunning photography that uses every conceivable camera angle (even views from a light bulb!) to see the world from the characters perspective.

    Look out for the supermarket scene between Ross and Palmer, my vote for the most violent use of a supermarket Trolley in a movie.

    As Palmer slowly unravels the mysterious disappearance of top government scientists it becomes clear that there is someone close to the top of the British Secret service acting as a double agent. Who is it, Ross or Dalby? Who is Courtney, Palmers love interest, working for?

    In the background is a rather sinister looking CIA, who always appear to be one step ahead of the Brits. (A reference to the decline of Britian as a world power and its reliance on America?) Wether intentional or not, this film has captured a London of the 60's that was going through substantial social change, gone are the class paradigms that suggest that the working class could never be cultured, gone is is the unquestioning loyalty to the upper class. This world was forever changed after the war. This is a film I can watch time and time again, if only to watch the title sequence as Palmer gets up for work as if he is going to just another office job.

    This is a stylish movie and one of the greatest British films ever made. If you havn't seen it watch it now!
    helpful•104
    8
    • mikhaigh
    • Apr 24, 2000

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • August 2, 1965 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United Kingdom
    • Languages
      • English
      • Albanian
    • Also known as
      • Ipcress - streng geheim
    • Filming locations
      • Imperial Institute, Exhibition Road, South Kensington, London, Greater London, England, UK
    • Production company
      • Lowndes Productions Limited
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

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    • Budget
      • $750,000 (estimated)
    • Gross worldwide
      • $610
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 49 minutes
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.35 : 1

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