Kelly WandThe Ipcress File
October 29th 2006 03:55
For years, the only way to see “The Ipcress File” was in the dire pan and scan version that haunted late night television. Even the Australian DVD is neutered by this format. Anyone who has any interest in cinematography should kill for a widescreen import. Every frame is a lesson in a long forgotten art.
The strength of the cinematography comes primarily from its use of negative space. Every frame is set up to increase a feeling of paranoia. As the film progresses, tilts are added to increase an atmosphere of uncertainty. When the film climaxes with a brainwashing sequence, we believe totally in the process because every shot has led us to an understanding of what the protagonist is going through.
John Barry’s music is absolutely perfect. It speaks immediately of the nineteen sixties but not the sixties of pop music. London is grey and grim. Michael Caine, who plays spy Harry Palmer, is the epitome of iceberg cool. A working class thug who knows instant coffee is no coffee at all, he is everything an icon should be. He knows a good suit when he sees one and holds the class system that attempts to crush him in utter contempt. He may be a spy but he is everything James Bond is not.
Scientists are being kidnapped and Palmer’s job is to find the kidnapper. He succeeds but the merchandise is damaged and, worst still, it appears one of his superiors is a traitor. The story is good but not great but it is the telling of this tale that raises this film high above others in its genre.
Seldom has spying looked so unromantic. Seldom has a period in time been so nailed. Even the naff bits are amazing. Palmer thinks of himself as a gourmet because he buys tinned mushrooms from France. Set that scene in 2006 and you’ll get an ironic laugh. In this film, it is the ideal one fingered salute to grey men in grey suited authority.
I’m always open to suggestions but I can’t think of a better British film. This made Caine a star of such magnitude that he couldn’t stuff it up no matter how many he crappy roles he would later seize upon. Anyone who claims to have any interest in film needs to see it.
The strength of the cinematography comes primarily from its use of negative space. Every frame is set up to increase a feeling of paranoia. As the film progresses, tilts are added to increase an atmosphere of uncertainty. When the film climaxes with a brainwashing sequence, we believe totally in the process because every shot has led us to an understanding of what the protagonist is going through.
John Barry’s music is absolutely perfect. It speaks immediately of the nineteen sixties but not the sixties of pop music. London is grey and grim. Michael Caine, who plays spy Harry Palmer, is the epitome of iceberg cool. A working class thug who knows instant coffee is no coffee at all, he is everything an icon should be. He knows a good suit when he sees one and holds the class system that attempts to crush him in utter contempt. He may be a spy but he is everything James Bond is not.
Scientists are being kidnapped and Palmer’s job is to find the kidnapper. He succeeds but the merchandise is damaged and, worst still, it appears one of his superiors is a traitor. The story is good but not great but it is the telling of this tale that raises this film high above others in its genre.
Seldom has spying looked so unromantic. Seldom has a period in time been so nailed. Even the naff bits are amazing. Palmer thinks of himself as a gourmet because he buys tinned mushrooms from France. Set that scene in 2006 and you’ll get an ironic laugh. In this film, it is the ideal one fingered salute to grey men in grey suited authority.
I’m always open to suggestions but I can’t think of a better British film. This made Caine a star of such magnitude that he couldn’t stuff it up no matter how many he crappy roles he would later seize upon. Anyone who claims to have any interest in film needs to see it.
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Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
Ipcress File is the best in the trilogy, I enjoy Funeral In Berlin and The Billion Dollar Brain but they are not up to the standard of the original.
Its a quality british spy flick that may be rivalled by The Five Fingers (1952) starring James Mason and Directed by Joseph L Mankewicz (Dragonwyk, All About Eve, Slueth)
The Len Deighton books are worth a read too.