Incredible British spy thriller is a ‘masterpiece everyone should watch’ – on Apple TV | Films | Entertainment
The film stars one of Britain’s most recognisable actors (Image: Apple TV)
If you’re looking for a spy film that feels different to the usual big-budget thrillers, this one might be worth your time. It’s a classic from the 1960s and stars one of the UK’s most recognisable actors. It’s not full of flashy gadgets or over-the-top action, but that is exactly why so many people still rate it so highly.
Instead, it has a slightly slower and more realistic story that pulls you in from the start. The film follows an intelligence officer investigating a series of strange disappearances. And, despite being released decades ago, it still holds up today.
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Michael Caine and Thomas Baptist in The Ipcress File (Image: Apple TV)
That film is The Ipcress File, and it holds an impressive 97% critic score and an 85% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes.
People have been leaving raving reviews for years, with many encouraging others to watch it.
One person wrote on IMDb: “The best spy film ever made. An outstanding effort all around… acting, writing, directing, editing, and especially filming. It’s a masterpiece everyone should watch.”
Another added: “A truly incredible British film. Everything works. A film of the sixties certainly and has a lovely sense of the era, but has not dated and remains an absorbing and exciting watch.”
A third wrote: “I love espionage films, and The Ipcress File, in my opinion, is the undisputed champion of the genre.”
Michael Caine stars as an intelligence officer called Harry Palmer (Image: Apple TV)
Someone else commented: “Like discovering treasure. I stumbled across this movie on late night TV a few days ago and I’m still thinking about how great it was. I was captivated from the opening scene. To discover a movie nearly 70 years old that is this good is a great experience.”
The Ipcress File was released in 1965 and stars Michael Caine as Harry Palmer, an intelligence officer working for the War Office.
The story centres on the disappearance of top scientists, with Palmer tasked with uncovering what is happening behind the scenes.
The film was directed by Sidney J. Furie and is based on Len Deighton’s novel of the same name.
It was created as a more grounded alternative to the James Bond films, even though some of the team had previously worked on the 007 series.
Unlike Bond, Palmer is a more ordinary character who deals with paperwork, strict bosses and everyday frustrations.
The film focuses on a more realistic side of intelligence work and life in London at the time.
It proved popular on release and went on to win three BAFTA Awards, including Best British Film. It was also included on the British Film Institute’s list of the 100 best British films of the 20th century.
Today, it is still widely regarded as one of the greatest spy films ever made.
The Ipcress File is available to watch on Apple TV.
