Review of The Ipcress File (1965) by James W — 17 Jul 2007

Heroes don?t wear glasses. Was the reaction to Michael Caine?s audition to this cult cold war spy film, he wore them anyway which brought about Britain?s second most famous secret agent. With style and a heavy dose of defiance, Caine?s character Harry Palmer also brought a degree of humility to the abstract world of British intelligence in Sixties London (forget Austin Powers).

With stunning photography I relished following the story of Palmer?s descent into a tangled web of bureaucratic double dealing and the eventual uncovering of a perilous brain washing scheme. Watch and learn how to make a great film without the need for a high body count, inane one liner?s and ridiculous gadgets, just straight suspense, panache and a great soundtrack.