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The Ipcress File 1965

A reluctant British spy, Harry Palmer, finds himself embroiled in a dangerous case involving the kidnapping of prominent scientists. Tasked with uncovering the truth, he navigates a complex world of espionage and double-crosses, confronting ruthless criminals and suspicious agents. Palmer's unconventional approach and sharp wit challenge the established order as he races to solve the mystery and protect those involved.

A reluctant British spy, Harry Palmer, finds himself embroiled in a dangerous case involving the kidnapping of prominent scientists. Tasked with uncovering the truth, he navigates a complex world of espionage and double-crosses, confronting ruthless criminals and suspicious agents. Palmer's unconventional approach and sharp wit challenge the established order as he races to solve the mystery and protect those involved.

Does The Ipcress File have end credit scenes?

No!

The Ipcress File does not have end credit scenes. You can leave when the credits roll.

Meet the Full Cast and Actors of The Ipcress File

Explore the complete cast of The Ipcress File, including both lead and supporting actors. Learn who plays each character, discover their past roles and achievements, and find out what makes this ensemble cast stand out in the world of film and television.


Ratings and Reviews for The Ipcress File

See how The Ipcress File is rated across major platforms like IMDb, Metacritic, and TMDb. Compare audience scores and critic reviews to understand where The Ipcress File stands among top-rated movies in its genre.


Metacritic

66

Metascore

6.2

User Score

Rotten Tomatoes
review

%

TOMATOMETER

review

0%

User Score

IMDb

7.2 /10

IMDb Rating

Take the Ultimate The Ipcress File Movie Quiz

Challenge your knowledge of The Ipcress File with this fun and interactive movie quiz. Test yourself on key plot points, iconic characters, hidden details, and memorable moments to see how well you really know the film.


The Ipcress File Quiz: Test your knowledge on the thrilling 1965 film 'The Ipcress File' and its complex narrative.

Who is the main investigator in the movie?

Awards & Nominations for The Ipcress File

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Discover all the awards and nominations received by The Ipcress File, from Oscars to film festival honors. Learn how The Ipcress File and its cast and crew have been recognized by critics and the industry alike.


19th British Academy Film Awards 1966

Michael Caine
Nomination

Best British Actor

Michael Caine
Sidney J. Furie
Win

Best British Film

Sidney J. Furie
Nomination

Best British Screenplay

Win

Best Production Design, Colour

Win

Best Cinematography, Colour

18th Directors Guild of America Awards 1966

Sidney J. Furie
Nomination

Feature Film

Sidney J. Furie

Full Plot Summary and Ending Explained for The Ipcress File

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Read the complete plot summary of The Ipcress File, including all major events, twists, and the full ending explained in detail. Explore key characters, themes, hidden meanings, and everything you need to understand the story from beginning to end.


In a startling turn of events, the esteemed scientist Dr. Radcliffe is unexpectedly abducted from a train, resulting in the tragic demise of his security escort. This atrocious act ignites a thrilling adventure of twists and revelations. Enter Harry Palmer, a no-nonsense British Army sergeant known for his rebellious nature and a murky past. Summoned by Colonel Ross, Palmer finds himself assigned to a clandestine organization within the Ministry of Defence, presided over by the enigmatic Major Dalby.

As he navigates this perilous terrain, Palmer soon realizes that Radcliffe’s disappearance is merely a fragment of a much larger conundrum. Astoundingly, sixteen other distinguished British scientists have mysteriously vanished, leaving a perplexing trail in their wake. Colonel Ross cautions Dalby that unless Radcliffe is recovered, their entire operation is at risk, heightening the stakes for Palmer’s mission.

Delving deeper into the enigma, Palmer comes face-to-face with Eric Grantby and his lieutenant, known as “Housemartin.” Utilizing connections within Scotland Yard, Palmer tracks down Grantby, only to find himself ambushed by Housemartin. An explosive wave of chaos ensues when Housemartin is killed by impostors mimicking Palmer and his ally, Jock Carswell.

As investigations progress, Palmer’s team uncovers a puzzling audiotape marked “IPCRESS” which appears nonsensical. However, Major Dalby’s sharp intuition detects a critical clue; the paper Grantby used bears a strange resemblance to the program for an upcoming military band concert.

It is during this concert that Palmer and Dalby finally manage to confront Grantby, successfully arranging for Radcliffe’s return. While the exchange proceeds smoothly, an unexpected twist emerges as Palmer eliminates a menacing figure, a CIA operative who threatens him with dire consequences if he does not dismiss the incident as mere chance.

As the intensity of the investigation escalates, Palmer faces a disheartening discovery: Radcliffe’s psyche has been irreparably damaged by his captors. Carswell, determined to fathom the truth behind Radcliffe’s ordeal, unearthed a booklet titled “Induction of Psychoneurosis by Conditioned Reflex under Stress” - IPCRESS. Tragically, before he could validate his theory on Radcliffe, Carswell is gunned down, his pursuit of knowledge cut short.

Upon returning home to gather his belongings, an ominous feeling washes over Palmer. His brief visit is interrupted by the shocking sight of another lifeless CIA agent, a grim realization that underscores his conviction that he has become the prime target. When he returns to the office, he finds that the IPCRESS file has mysteriously disappeared, indicating Ross’s deceitful intentions. Palmer’s unease grows as he reports the missing file to Dalby, who urges him to remain low-key for the time being.

Palmer’s train journey to Paris takes a sinister turn as he is inadvertently kidnapped, ending up in a frigid, dark cell, devoid of clarity or comfort. Days pass with no sustenance or warmth, as Grantby employs psychological torture techniques on Palmer, striving to dismantle his will and prepare him for brainwashing. Despite his relentless efforts to resist, Palmer’s mental defenses weaken under the strain of disorienting stimuli, culminating in Grantby implanting a signal phrase that will command his obedience.

As he gradually regains his composure, Palmer, to his horror, realizes he is still in London. In a moment of desperation, he reaches out to Dalby, oblivious to the fact that Dalby has already fallen prey to Grantby’s cunning grasp. Manipulated, Dalby takes advantage of Palmer’s conditioning, compelling him to contact Ross at the very warehouse where he was previously imprisoned. Upon arrival, Ross and Dalby are met with Palmer, who finds himself torn between two foes but manages to reclaim authority by aiming his weapon at both.

Dalby attempts to bend Palmer to his will once again, instructing him with the trigger phrase to eliminate what he sees as a traitor. Yet, Palmer’s moment of hesitation is cut short by the sharp pangs of his conditioned memory. In a decisive moment, he pulls the trigger, bringing Dalby down. Ross, revealing his true motives, discloses that he deliberately selected Palmer for this role, intending to leverage his proclivity for insubordination. Amidst the tension, Palmer protests against Ross’s reckless actions, to which Ross responds unflinchingly, stating that Palmer’s acceptance of the risks is precisely what he was compensated to endure, epitomizing the perilous nature of their covert operations.

Uncover the Details: Timeline, Characters, Themes, and Beyond!

Watch Trailers, Clips & Behind-the-Scenes for The Ipcress File

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Watch official trailers, exclusive clips, cast interviews, and behind-the-scenes footage from The Ipcress File. Dive deeper into the making of the film, its standout moments, and key production insights.


The Ipcress File (1965) Original Trailer [HD]

Cars Featured in The Ipcress File

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Explore all cars featured in The Ipcress File, including their makes, models, scenes they appear in, and their significance to the plot. A must-read for car enthusiasts and movie buffs alike.


AEC

1962

Routemaster

Austin

1964

1100 MkI

Austin

1959

A40 MkI

Austin

1960

A55 Cambridge Countryman MkII

Austin

1962

A60 Cambridge

Austin

1959

A99 Westminster

Austin

1948

FX3 Taxi

Austin

1962

FX4

Austin

1962

Mini Van

Bedford

1964

CA Mk3

Movie Themes and Keywords

Discover the central themes, ideas, and keywords that define the movie’s story, tone, and message. Analyze the film’s deeper meanings, genre influences, and recurring concepts.


brainwashingbritishespionageconspiracylondon englandbritish secret servicecold warbased on novelkidnappingbureaucracycia agentmind controljail cellprofessorparking garagesuitcase full of moneyframed for murderframe upabandoned factoryeggphone boothmicrofilmfemale agentfemale spycookingdeceptionself mutilationmachine gunalbaniatrainsupermarketprison cellparking meterlibraryintriguebrass bandsecret agentdouble agentspypsychotronic filmman wears eyeglassesmale protagonistcia central intelligence agencyscientistsbritish scientistspy thrillereyeglassesscientistmajorsergeant

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