The Ipcress File (Sidney J. Furie, 1965)

When a top government scientist goes missing, agent Harry Palmer (Michael Caine) is put on the case to find him.

Produced by Bond alum Harry Slatzman and several of the same creative team (Ken Adam was the production designer, Peter Hunt was the editor and John Barry delivers the beautifully melancholy and mordant score), Ipcress is a reaction to Bond in almost every way. 

Directed by Sidney J. Furie, Ipcress also sticks out for its unique visual style. Shots are framed through objects, or at extreme dutch angles. 

While I had watched the film before, on the big screen these choices feel even more extreme. I found that I constantly had to re-adjust to the sudden shifts in perspective and depth of field. It has always been one of the film’s selling points, but some of these flourishes start to feel indulgent.

One wonders if Ipcress’s visuals influenced its editor Peter Hunt, who would go on to direct the similarly distinctive (and downbeat) 007 entry On Her Majesty’s Secret Service.

Filled with scenes of Palmer following leads, arguing with superiors, filing paperwork or shopping for his evening meal, Ipcress is the opposite of a Bondian adventure.

Unlike the glamor of Bond’s globe-trotting, Ipcress takes place in London. There is little in the way of action and no gadgets.

Palmer himself is no superhero. He is a working-class ex-soldier who is more interested in cooking and music than his work. The only thing the characters share is an eye for the ladies, although Palmer seems more interested in buying an infrared grill for his kitchen.

Palmer is a rogue but unlike Bond, he is genuinely rebellious. With Bond there is an underlying sense of patriotism. By contrast, Palmer’s loyalty is based on blackmail - he has to work as an agent otherwise he will have to serve a prison sentence for making money off the black market in the army.

Michael Caine’s performance is a masterclass in droll understatement. His Palmer is more reluctant and mercenary. When he hears he is getting a promotion, Palmer is more interested in the potential pay rise that will go with it. 

Wonderfully dour and idiosyncratic, The Ipcress File is worth checking out.