The Ipcress File (1965, United Kingdom)
Running time: 109 minutes
Language: English
Agent Harry Palmer is reassigned to a counter espionage unit, lead by Major Dalby, when British scientist is kidnapped from a train and the agent that was protecting him is shot dead. The Dalby unit has little time to prove they are not incompetent otherwise they will be disbanded. Their first move is to find anyone that would have the resources and reasons to kidnap Radcliffe. One of their suspects is in French prison, so they concentrate on Eric Grantby, codenamed Bluejay. Palmer uses his connections in Scotland Yard to locate Grantby and approaches him to make a deal for release of the scientist. But here the things begin to get complicated...
First of the Harry Palmer movies, based on the novel by Len Deighton, that were in a way the competition for James Bond movies even though same producer was behind both series - Harry Saltzman. Harry Palmer stories were kept down-to-earth spy world stories, while James Bond films usually were spectacular fairy tales. The Ipcress File has very good plot that shows the world of espionage and counter espionage, where no one can be fully trusted. Great performances from main gast, complexed plot and mystery.
Can you solve a case like this?
Our rating |
8 / 10 |
Movie value |
8 / 10 |
Realism factor |
4 / 5 |
Adventure factor |
4 / 5 |
Story complexity |
4 / 5 |
177 |
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Creators of The Ipcress File
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Cast of The Ipcress File
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as Harry Palmer | |
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as Major Dalby | |
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as Colonel Ross | |
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as Bluejay | |
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as Jean | |
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as Carswell | |
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as Radcliffe |
The Ipcress File trivia
IPCRESS
Acronym IPCRESS stands for Induction of Psychoneuroses by Conditioned Reflex under strESS.
The Ipcress File quotes
Harry Palmer: The fellow whose job I’m taking, will he show me the ropes?
Major Dalby: Maybe - if you’re in touch with the spirit world.
Harry Palmer: I beg your pardon?
Major Dalby: He was shot this morning.
