THE IPCRESS FILE

If you find the James Bond films too unbelievable and ‘The Spy Who Came In From The Cold’ too grim, then meet Harry Palmer, an intelligence officer with a nice line in insolent behaviour who is a whizz in the kitchen (surprisingly) and in the bedroom (less surprisingly). 

Michael Caine is perfectly cast as Harry, and he is ample reason to watch this, the first of several Harry Palmer films.

The film also benefits from good casting in the secondary roles. I enjoyed the humorous cut-and-thrust of all the scenes between Harry and his superior, Colonel Ross, especially a very funny one in a supermarket.  It was also refreshing for a film of this type and era that Harry's love interest is her own woman and more than a match for him.

John Barry provides a pleasant score and the film is ticking over nicely until some rather grim stuff towards the end when Harry is imprisoned and subjected to brainwashing à la ‘The Manchurian Candidate’.

I’m not sure this part of the plot is very plausible but that doesn’t matter one jot. 

A film well worth watching if espionage is your thing.

RATING: ✓ If You've Nothing Better To Do