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The Ipcress File

  • 19651965
  • PassedPassed
  • 1h 49m
IMDb RATING
7.2/10
16K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
4,333
1,315
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
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 counter espionage Agent deals with his own bureaucracy while investigating the kidnapping and brainwashing of British scientists.In London, a counter espionage Agent deals with his own bureaucracy while investigating the kidnapping and brainwashing of British scientists.In London, a counter espionage Agent deals with his own bureaucracy while investigating the kidnapping and brainwashing of British scientists.

IMDb RATING
7.2/10
16K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
4,333
1,315
  • 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
    • 123User 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)
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
    • All cast & crew

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    Storyline

    Edit
    Several leading Western scientists have been kidnapped only to reappear a fews days later. Unfortunately, each scientist has been brainwashed and is now completely useless. The British send Agent Harry Palmer to investigate. Palmer is surprised to be selected for such a mission (considering his past) and believes he has been chosen because he is expendable. —Dave Jenkins <david.jenkins@smallworld.co.uk>
    • brainwashing
    • british
    • espionage
    • conspiracy
    • london england
    • 124 more
    • Plot summary
    • Add synopsis
    • Taglines
      • The spy story of the century...
    • Genres
      • Drama
      • Thriller
    • Certificate
      • Passed
    • Parents guide

    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 reviews123

    Review
    Top review
    Do a good bit of a lunch at your club do they?
    The best thing about this film is the fascinating period atmosphere. When this film was made, 1965, Britain, and British filmmaking, was exactly on the cusp between the old, class ridden, Imperial culture of films like 'Zulu', and the gritty, modern, realist school that began with films like 'Get Carter'.

    In '65 Britain had a Labour government after a long period of Conservative rule, and sweeping changes were about to happen which would utterly change the face of British life. 'Ipcress' bridges the gap between these two eras.

    On the one hand we have the upper-middle class army officers lunching at their clubs and strolling along in bowler hats with tightly furled umbrellas, and at the other extreme we have the way-out psychedelia of the interrogation chamber scene, and the grimy world of offices, warehouses, and men jumping out of vans that defined the TV and films of the 70s such as 'The Sweeney'.

    In the middle somewhere is Harry Palmer, who rather than being working class, is classless. He has no discernable accent, dresses plainly, likes cooking and classical music and lives in nondescript surroundings. It is only his military rank, that of sergeant, that enables us to make any kind of judgement on his social status.

    I think this is part of the enduring appeal of the film. Although the Dalbys of this world are long gone, Palmer would not be out of place in 2003, in fact the Palmers of this world are now the norm in many positions of British authority.

    Overall a fascinating period piece but one which has worn well.
    helpful•77
    14
    • hugh1971
    • Apr 7, 2003

    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

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

    Technical specs

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

    Related news

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