Review of Billion Dollar Brain (1967) by Art S — 31 Jul 2013

Michael Caine is back as the be speckled spy Harry Palmer in this third outing in the series (two more films would be made with Caine about 30 years later). The film is directed by Ken Russell, who later made a name for himself with films focused around his obsession with sexuality and the church, but Russell apparently was contractually required to direct the film even though he didn't want the job.

However, the end product is just about as visually arresting as any of Russell's films (even if they are missing his usual themes and subject matter) and even includes a nice Eisenstein reference, so it would seem that he was having some fun.

The film was also beautifully shot by Billy Williams, who would later go on to shoot several more Russell film up to the 1990s. The story involves Palmer hunting the title brain, which is really a super computer (which is really an ancient Honeywell computer) from an anti-commie extremist who wants to start a war with the Russians.

It's a snappy, fun spy film and I would say is clearly the best of the Harry Palmer films. Well worth watching for 1960s spy film fans!