The Ipcress File

The 1965 film The Ipcress File starring Michael Caine is a fun little thriller. For part of the time I had no idea what was going on and it kinda loses the plot in the middle but it ties it all together nicely in the end. I have to say, seeing Michael Caine so young was a shock as I'm used to his later work. There were some really interesting camera techniques like Palmer's point of view without his glasses but also the use of space. The opening of the film is quite memorable for me even though it's just Palmer getting ready for the day.

Shoving the title and wordage to the left side of the frame while having Palmer on the right seem to unbalance the image. The camera though doesn't seem concern with filming Palmer centrally. In the opening and throughout the film characters are shot from behind chairs and other people squished up into the corner. Also the camera is titled just slightly so the room is off kilter. It's enough to notice but not enough to distract like the tilt of the camera does in the 2006 Fay Grim.

A British spy thriller is amazing enough in itself but The Ipcress File also has Michael Caine and above all the level of awesomeness is off the charts with the soundtrack. It runs throughout the whole film and gives a nice feel to the film. And it's a song that stays with you after the film is over. The humor in the film may not have been intentional but some of the lines were ridiculous. 'Beef-a-Roni, Fantastic' And of course, Micheal Caine's eye makeup.

 

The Ipcress File was followed by Funeral in Berlin in 1966.