Along with adapting Ian Fleming’s
popular and successful Bond series, the producers Harry Saltzman & Albert
Broccoli approached Len Deighton to write the script for second Bond film but
that encounter turned out to be birth of another spy character on screen in
form of Harry Palmer based on Deighton’s novels. So came ‘The Ipcress File’,
one of underrated espionage thriller starring bespectacled Michael Caine as
Harry palmer. Compared to all out entertainment and stereotyped
characterization of Bond franchise, Palmer films have different design and
style with working class man; the films have down beat style with dark and
complex feel than larger than life Bond extravaganza. ‘The Ipcress File’ was
absolutely engaging espionage thriller and Caine nailed Palmer so damn
brilliant.
This second installment of Harry
Palmer, funded by Bond producers is another engaging espionage thriller
starring Caine back in form. The plot is set in Berlin where Palmer arrived on task to meet
and check out the escape plan of Russian colonel Stok. The plot is quite
contrived one entangled with war crimes, cold war and Russian-Israeli-British
intelligence men. The film was made by Guy Hamilton, the man who gave us two
brilliant Bond films ‘Goldfinger’ and ‘The Man with the Golden Gun’ among
others. I enjoyed this second installment too but the first one was so damn
brilliant one. Somehow that intriguing element and darker side of ‘The Ipcress
File’ is missing here. But that won’t make film a loose one. Caine is once
again done it pitch perfectly and it was shot so classy reminding us many
noirs.
Recommended for all espionage
film fans but if you haven't seen 'The Ipcress File' then first watch that ASAP.
Ratings-7/10
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