Rating: 
Summary: Intelligent, well-acted spy thriller
Review: "The Ipcress File" is a gripping spy thriller that was a big hit back in 1966. This was the time when Michael Caine was a rising young star, and this movie was an excellent showcase for his talent. Visually, the movie is dated in spots, especially in its use of psychedelic colors and images in the brainwashing sequences. These images, along with Caine's character's wearing of thick-lensed, horn-rimmed eye glasses, were later parodied in spy spoofs, most notably in the Austin Powers series. Fortunately, the story is as engrossing as ever, and Caine's Harry Palmer remains one of the most indelible movie characters ever. Harry Palmer is a shrewd, cocky, amoral Army sergeant who was busted in Germany for some illegal trading. Sensing his abilities, the British army has offered to keep him out of prison in exchange for his becoming a spy. It's the threat of prison that keeps the freedom-loving Harry in line. [This plot device has been used countless times since "The Ipcress File" was released, most recently in "XXX".] When a prominent British scientist is kidnapped, Harry's boss loans him out to another department. What our confident hero doesn't realize is that he's being used as bait. By whom and for what purpose is what keeps the suspense going right up to the movie's tense climax. "The Ipcress File" is in the category of spy movies which, unlike James Bond films, portray the characters as participants in a dark, sinister and deadly serious game. In this game, only the hero can be trusted.
Rating: 
Summary: Wonderful- dry and low-key. Michael Caine's first lead role
Review: Exciting, grimy and witty, this is the first and best of the trio of Len Deighton novels about the Harry Palmer character [in the novels, the character has no name, written in the first person]. Michael Caine is perfectly cast in the role. He plays a deceptively understated and devious agent for the bureaucratic British Secret Service, having accepted the job reluctantly to avoid going to jail, following some dodgy dealings whilst in the Army. Following the disappearance of several top scientists, Palmer is sent to another department to investigate, having replaced a previously assassinated agent. There is, however, more than meets the eye, and the true motives of Palmer's posting keeps you guessing up to the conclusion of the film. Very well acted and shot, it is the complete antithesis of all that is James Bond- and all the more attractive and realistic for it. John Barry wrote the music, which adds a chilling atmosphere throughout. A great depiction of not- so- swinging 60's London. Highly recommended.
Rating: 
Summary: A LIttle Contrasting POV
Review: I got this film with memories of the tight plot and the cataclysmic twist at the end. Thirty years has dulled considerably the enjoyment I once felt. Everyone else finds Caine's performance riveting. I found it silly and stilted. I never bought in, never experienced anything other than an actor saying his lines, and not especially good lines at that. The other characters are all minor actors who fulfilled the stereotypes required for this film. But spy films live and die on plot, and this one is pretty lame. The ease with which Palmer locates his prey, and the anvil like clues about who is the good guy and who is the bad guy, did a good job at diminishing whatever suspense it created. The big conclusion left me laughing....was I really supposed to see a choice here? Never doubted for a moment. Anti-climax implies climax. This was just silly. This was not bad, but an uncharismatic Caine and a predictable plot combined to create a mediocre experience. And DVD extras were quite nominal.
Rating:
Summary: A LIttle Contrasting POV
Review: I got this film with memories of the tight plot and the cataclysmic twist at the end. Thirty years has dulled considerably the enjoyment I once felt. Everyone else finds Caine's performance riveting. I found it silly and stilted. I never bought in, never experienced anything other than an actor saying his lines, and not especially good lines at that. The other characters are all minor actors who fulfilled the stereotypes required for this film. But spy films live and die on plot, and this one is pretty lame. The ease with which Palmer locates his prey, and the anvil like clues about who is the good guy and who is the bad guy, did a good job at diminishing whatever suspense it created. The big conclusion left me laughing....was I really supposed to see a choice here? Never doubted for a moment. Anti-climax implies climax. This was just silly. This was not bad, but an uncharismatic Caine and a predictable plot combined to create a mediocre experience. And DVD extras were quite nominal.
Rating:
Summary: Caine at his best!!!!!
Review: I have always been a fan of Michael Caine since his intoduction in ZULU, and his brings Len Deighton's thinking man's James Bond to the screen with panache!! Harry Palmer is minus the gizmos, the flash of Bond, he offers you instead a ex-con pressed into using his talents for the British spies. He is a gormet cook, cannot see too good without his coke bottle glasses, and poor Harry, caught between Ross, his former boss, and Dobly, his new boss, in a thinking man's game of cat and mouse. Perfect droll British wit, with Caine alsolutely marvelous as Palmer. With good supporting work from Guy Doleman, Nigel Green(who was with Palmer in ZULU) and Gordon Jackson. A must!!!!!! Followed by Funeral in Berlin (1966) and Billion Dollar Brain (1967), and later several Palmer movies for Showtime Network.
Rating:
Summary: A great budget espionage film!
Review: I thought I had seen this film before, but to my pleasant surprise I could not remember a thing about it, except vaguely the meeting at the Irish Guards bandstand (amazing what a mnemonic music is). The digital sound transfer is less than perfect (I believe it is mono - it certaily sounded mono) and while the lines are crisp and clear they are not always acoustically accurate. Further, the score is not well transfered either. Yet, the quality of the camera work (often under-exposed) is very effective. The cast of characters all appear like old hands at the spying business and without the benefit of any special effects or expensive sets, London is turned into a creepy backdrop of espionage and double agents.
Rating:
Summary: well put together movie
Review: I thought it was a pretty good movie. Part of the plot involved hynosis and was a little contrived, but I liked the characters, the dialouge, and how the odd plot was handled. I especially like d a scene in the beginning when Harry is getting ready for work-it's interesting and well put together. I liked the fact that he was so insolent and didn't want to be spy in the first place.
Rating:
Summary: 2.35 to 1
Review: If you're like me and you prefer widescreen video releases over pan and scan, and you have even a passing interest in spy movies, then I think you should keep this dvd in mind. I was too young to see this one in 1965, but I have seen it on video tape and tv over the years. But I was unprepared for the transformation this film undergoes when seen in its original 2.35:1 aspect ratio. The directing takes center stage in this movie and is one of its stars. It's simply a gorgeous film that begs for repeat viewing. The script is first-rate and the performances make you suspect everyone. In '65 one critic described it as a '...thinking man's 'James Bond'', and that it is. The music is great too. The dvd also includes an entertaining audio commentary with director Sidney Furie and editor Peter Hunt. I recommend this dvd highly!
Rating:
Summary: Classic Resurfaces on DVD - Great film, subpar commentary.
Review: Ipcress doesn't disappoint - Caine carries off a remarkable performance as the Brit agent Palmer, rescuing his lines through inspired delivery and timing. The film's camerawork and composition are a sight to behold, provided an appreciation for frequently underlit scenes. Certainly a film with a (wry?) sense of humor - case in point: the exchange of words in the supermarket. If you won't consider purchasing Ipcress, do yourself a favor and find rent it some night. For those looking forward to the commentary (as I was) - the running commentary is subpar, perhaps the worst I've listened through yet. Neither of the gentlemen involved (Sidney Furie, Peter Hunt) can recall the plot sequences in the film very clearly and so spend quite a bit of time audibly guessing what will happen next. The track does reveal a few interesting tidbits, but it is unfortunate that most of these revelations find mention again and again.
Rating:
Summary: great spy thriller
Review: Magnificently directed by Sidney Furie, this terrific thriller has one of Michael Caine's most memorable performances, and a sensational score by John Barry. Caine's Harry Palmer is a marvelous character...an anti-Bond...a guy in a dull job who suddenly finds himself in extraordinary circumstances. He has his quirks...he goes against authority, has his sharp wit, his gourmet food, and "that look" behind the horn rimmed glasses. The plot revolves around a "brain drain" of scientists in England, and has spies, the CIA, and all the usual suspects...which in this case are a little harder to predict. With brilliant writing (Bill Canaway/James Doran), superb cinematography (Otto Heller), and some good character actors (I love Alice the office lady...an anti-Ms. Moneypenny !) this is a film that will keep you interested for many viewings...suspenseful, amusing, and you'll just be wild about Harry.
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