The Ipcress File

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.
Palmer: I beg your pardon?
Major Dalby: He was shot this morning.

The Ipcress file is nothing short of genius. First written as an edgy spy novel by Len Deighton in 1961, the  film version was later released in 1965 – produced by golden-fingered spyhead, Harry Saltzman and directed by fellow Canadian, Sidney J. Flurie. To me, this film isn’t just a peek  into the backstabbing, underhand world of cold-war Britain’s intelligence service, it is an iconic window into the culture of the 60′s. I would love to explain the plot here, but I fear I would only confuse myself. So I won’t. However, I do have to say that the cheeky but capable ‘Palmer’ (played by Michael Caine) is in my opinion, one of the greatest onscreen characters of 1960′s cinema.

This film is loaded with great details and references. There are the insane camera angles that resemble a hall of mirrors, creepy (and slightly perverted) characters, iconic images of  London in the 60′s and the classic one-liners from Caine. My favourite scene occurs in a newly built ‘supermarket’, where Palmer and his superior meet for business but end up musing over the modern novelty of tinned mushrooms! Ace.

Just check out the titles…