The Ipcress File

The Ipcress File was the first spy novel by Len Deighton, published in 1962.

Related Topics:
Spy novel - Len Deighton - 1962

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It was made into a film in 1965 produced by Harry Saltzman and directed by Sidney J. Furie, starring Michael Caine as Harry Palmer.

Related Topics:
Film - 1965 - Harry Saltzman - Sidney J. Furie - Michael Caine - Harry Palmer

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The Ipcress File was a downbeat alternative to the James Bond movies, which were being made at the same time. Three members of the production team -- the producer Harry Saltzman, film editor Peter Hunt and the composer John Barry -- also worked on the Bond movies.

Related Topics:
James Bond - Film editor - Peter Hunt - John Barry

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The plot involves mind control: the acronym IPCRESS stands for "Induction of Psycho-neuroses by Conditioned Reflex under StresS". Along the way we visit an atoll for a US atomic bomb test and learn about Joe One.

Related Topics:
Mind control - Joe One

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In common with several of his other early novels, the chapter headings have a "feature". In The Ipcress File these take the form of each chapter being headed with a quote from a horoscope, which relates to the action in the chapter, though vaguely, as in most horoscopes.

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The soundtrack music is by John Barry - also responsible for many other soundtracks including a large number of Bond films.

Related Topics:
Soundtrack - Music - Bond

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The movie had two immediate sequels:

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: the 2nd film was Funeral in Berlin

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: the 3rd film Billion Dollar Brain

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In 1997, Michael Caine returned to his Harry Palmer role in Bullet to Beijing and Midnight in St. Petersburg.

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