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      The Ipcress File

      Released Aug 2, 1965 1h 49m Action Mystery & Thriller List
      97% Tomatometer 31 Reviews 85% Audience Score 5,000+ Ratings Tasked with investigating the kidnappings and brainwashed reappearances of top scientists, including Dr. Radcliffe (Aubrey Richards), the insubordinate British spy Harry Palmer (Michael Caine) navigates his way through criminals, secret agents, and his superiors (Nigel Green, Guy Doleman). While attempting to bring in the suspect Bluejay (Frank Gatliff), Palmer discovers a mysterious audiotape labeled "IPCRESS," an inconspicuous, but ominous, piece of evidence. Read More Read Less
      The Ipcress File

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      Critics Consensus

      Michael Caine's coolly restrained performance and a keenly irreverent attitude make The Ipcress Files a supremely entertaining espionage thriller.

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      Critics Reviews

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      Andrew Sarris Village Voice The Ipcress File was reasonably entertaining while I was watching it, but after it was over I felt I'd been had. Jul 27, 2021 Full Review Geoffrey Nowell-Smith Sight & Sound [Sidney] Furie is a sensitive director and the film is not a total sell-out. Mar 31, 2020 Full Review Kate Muir Times (UK) Michael Caine is the epitome of Sixties cool in his first outing as the secret agent Harry Palmer. Rated: 5/5 Sep 24, 2015 Full Review Matt Brunson Film Frenzy James Bond popularized the spy flick in the 1960s, but The Ipcress File is one film that goes slightly against the grain. Rated: 3/4 Nov 6, 2020 Full Review Mike Massie Gone With The Twins Described as a sexpionage, though completely devoid of onscreen sex, it's comparable to a James Bond picture. Rated: 8/10 Aug 24, 2020 Full Review Wendy Michener Maclean's Magazine It does smack a little of Bond-style technical gimmickry. But the spectacular violence and playboy-style sex of the Bond series has been avoided without any loss of entertainment value. Jul 16, 2019 Full Review Read all reviews

      Audience Reviews

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      Alec C In this espionage thriller, no one can be relied upon, not even your surperiors! Harry Palmer is tasked with investigating the brainwashing of scientists with his only clue being the mysterious "IPCRESS" file that points to the heart of the conspiracy. Michal Caine adds his signature charm to this iconic thriller with plenty of twists and turns, leaving us unsure of who to trust! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 03/16/24 Full Review CodyZamboni Movie is engaging all the way, despite some convoluted plotting. Anchored by Michael Caine's performance as the empathetic smart ass spy, Harry Palmer, as he searches for a missing scientist and uncovers alot more than he intended. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 10/14/23 Full Review MI6 U Joe Cole delivered a credible character in the Ipcress File with subtle nuanced differences. The Joe Cole version of the Ipcress File may well prove to be of the same enduring quality as the epic Harry Saltzman version starring Michael Caine. In a way though it is a shame that the film industry is producing yet another remake of a classic thriller. If success is to breed success the film industry must not polish old gems but mine for new ones. In the espionage genre, an example of such a new gem is Beyond Enkription, the first fact based spy thriller in The Burlington Files series by Bill Fairclough aka Edward Burlington who was a real MI6 agent, codename JJ and one of Pemberton's People in MI6. I only mention that because, coincidentally, a few critics have likened its protagonist to a "posh and sophisticated Harry Palmer" and the first novel in the series is indisputably anti-Bond or at the least a tad Deightonesque. It's worth checking out this enigmatic and elusive thriller, a must read for espionage illuminati, albeit it's not being a remake may mean that to date it has eluded you. For more beguiling anecdotes best read a brief and intriguing News Article about Pemberton's People in MI6 dated 31 October 2022 in TheBurlingtonFiles website and then read Beyond Enkription. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 07/31/23 Full Review Audience Member Felt slow and noir like but had its moments in this Bond like but Bond lite tale of a British secret agent. Caine is good. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 01/28/23 Full Review Audience Member Stylish and engaging spy thriller, in many ways the anti-Bond. Caine's performance is fantastic. It's in danger of getting a little silly towards the end but manages to hold it together convincingly enough. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/16/23 Full Review Audience Member Brilliant anti hero , poor mans Bond, good and gritty, some excellent set pieces, cracking JB score, MC at his best, especially learning from Deighton for his cooking scene ( a man cooking ???), proper job spy thriller, so much to like and great shots, in my top 5. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/12/23 Full Review Read all reviews
      The Ipcress File

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      40% 65% The Mechanic 69% 59% The Enforcer 73% 66% The Living Daylights 25% 49% Detroit 9000 20% 12% Avalanche Express Discover more movies and TV shows. View More

      Movie Info

      Synopsis Tasked with investigating the kidnappings and brainwashed reappearances of top scientists, including Dr. Radcliffe (Aubrey Richards), the insubordinate British spy Harry Palmer (Michael Caine) navigates his way through criminals, secret agents, and his superiors (Nigel Green, Guy Doleman). While attempting to bring in the suspect Bluejay (Frank Gatliff), Palmer discovers a mysterious audiotape labeled "IPCRESS," an inconspicuous, but ominous, piece of evidence.
      Director
      Sidney J. Furie
      Producer
      Harry Saltzman
      Screenwriter
      W.H. Canaway, James Doran, Len Deighton
      Production Co
      Rank Organization
      Genre
      Action, Mystery & Thriller
      Original Language
      English
      Release Date (Theaters)
      Aug 2, 1965, Original
      Runtime
      1h 49m