Review of The Ipcress File

In the world of spies, there are few secret agents who have become house hold names. 007 and Harry Palmer are two of the more memorable figures. If you are looking for spies who constantly engage beautiful girls and spar with menacing looking Asian thugs, you're in the wrong theater. Books like Len Deighton's "The Impcress File" are designed to be 'the thinking man's secret agent.' Once in, you will follow the exploits of Harry Palmer (Michael Caine) who's background reveals is an ex-burglar and jewel thief who has been recruited from prison by M.I.6 for espionage work. He is a gourmet when it comes to wine, women, foods, beverages and loves classical music. His immediate boss is Colonel Ross (Guy Doleman) who constantly reminds Sargent Palmer he is in the military branch of the secret service and will act accordingly. In this segment, Palmer has been transferred to counter-intelligence work under Major Dalby (Nigal Green) who is investigating the "Brain-Drain" in England. Several top scientists have either been kidnapped or cease to function in the laboratory. Dalby is ordered by Ross to find out why. Dalby assigns Palmer to the case who learns quickly and despite Dalby's policies, has his own way of doing things. Through his inquiries, he learns of a highly experimental but success process which turns people into catatonic zombies. This method is called Induction of Psychoneuroses by Condition reflex under stress or simply Impcress. To complicate Palmer's investigation is the suspicion there is a 'mole or spy inside M.I.6 who is trying his best to discredit or kill Palmer and will go so far as to kidnaps and subject him to the Impcress treatment. If you are looking for a film which requires you to think through a mystery, this is the film for you. Producer Harry Saltzman was extremely successful with the Harry Palmer series and this movie is no exception. With seasoned actors like Sue Lloyd playing Jean Courtney and Gordon Jackson as Carswell, it has garnered enough accolades to render it a classic. ****