The Ipcress File
I watched The Ipcress File from 1965. It was based on Len Deighton’s first novel and was released at the height of mid-60s “Bond-mania” as kind of an anti-Bond.
Michael Caine is Harry Palmer, an Army officer working for the Ministry of Defence. He’s insolent and insubordinate and has some criminal charges in his background. Harry’s world is one of dreary offices, gloomy London streets, condescending bosses, and rote paperwork.
He’s assigned to a unit that’s trying to recover a missing scientist and discover why several other scientists have seemingly become incapable of doing critical research.
There are lots of Bond alumni here: Harry Saltzman produces, Ken Adams built the sets, and John Barry delivers one of the most classic 60s spy soundtracks you’re ever going to find (the sound you hear over and over is a cimbalom). The film direction is artistic — lots and lots of shots through some foreground object to the main action behind it.
It's a solid movie. It has a good mystery, a great climax, and Caine is fantastic in the title role.
There were a few more Harry Palmer films, both in theaters and on television, though none of them are considered as good as Ipcress. There was also a limited series in 2022 on British television which is streaming on multiple services.