— The fellow whose job I’m taking, will he show me the ropes?
— Maybe – if you’re in touch with the spirit world.
— I beg your pardon?
— He was shot this morning.
o o o
The Ipcress File opened to rave reviews in Britain and became a substantial hit. It also became an unexpected success when released later in the year in the US, where it was hailed as “the thinking man’s Goldfinger” by Newsweek, and many other critics made favourable comparisons to Bond (…).
It’s totally of its time and yet manages to transcend it. It oozes style, creates a unique atmosphere and continually delights with its imaginative stylings, its haunting score and its droll humour. It’s a master class in film technique, an engaging character study, a wry satire on bureaucracy, a subtle dig at the British establishment, and an exploration of the changing mores of 1960s Britain. And it just happens to be a great spy film as well. Eric Gilliland