![]() ![]() ![]() Anyway, I gave it a chance and thought it got off to a decent start. With the Russian invasion of the Ukraine dominating the world news, ITV have not chosen a good time to screen this much-publicised remake of Len Deighton's 1960's Cold War drama, previously filmed in 1965 with Michael Caine as the bespectacled British spy 'Harry Palmer'. If you like a classic spy yarn, The Ipcress File shouldn't disappoint. Each of the leads had moments to take centre stage and for the story to revolve around their role, something that for the most part worked well, with perhaps just a couple of lapses of awareness as to the possibilities of interpretation of what had transpired or was transpiring - but that is a criticism of script and not acting. The period elements were also extremely well observed, from the ambience of early 60s cities and sets, through to the quality of lighting and filming that evoked a 60s spy romp and a little of the classic uncompromising and unsentimental quality of spy action and intrigue. I liked the original movie, but this mini-series earned its way too, and delivered. As a spy drama the story can't be too straight forward, it must deliver intrigue, conceal its feints, and deliver twists and turns. This kind of show is a sum of its parts proposition. I see a few detractors, but for me, The Ipcress File mini-series remake was a great period spy drama. On this basis, please ITV get some more novels adapted. Acting, very strong, Cole and Boynton are great, and both play it as though from the time, really impressed with Tom Hollander and Ashley Thomas, excellent also. Prepare for car chases, brain washing, shootouts, it was like stepping back in time. I think the cinematography is the best element, if like me you love shows from the 60's and 70's, you'll love how it looks, the camera angles and shots, the cars and fashions, it's decadent. It's fast paced, it's dramatic, it's well acted, it looks divine. The six part format allows the story to really develop, and whilst a few liberties are taken, the essence is there. It's of course very hard not to make comparisons between this and the film, both are very different beasts, let's just deal with this on its own merits. I'm always happy to eat humble pie, I was very wrong not to watch this, it's a cracking series. ![]() I didn't believe my ears when I heard that ITV were going to make this into a six part series, my hopes weren't high, hence why I'm so late to The Party. I'm not sure if they will fabricate a second series, but this first one can stand alone very nicely. Hollander gives an excellent performance, as well, as a pragmatic veteran spook who finds himself trapped by his past. Boynton is well cast as a beautiful but cold and bitter agent who warms up to Palmer in a believable way, and really carries the show. Cole doesn't fit the stereotype British agent, but he makes it work, though he deadpans most scenes. The acting is very good if not excellent. It stays laser-focused on telling the story. But very little is wasted no unnecessary side arcs, no eyerolling overtures to politically correctness or woke agenda. The story moves quickly and smoothly, though it meanders a bit in the middle episodes to establish a second arc. As this show sets out to be a very different animal than the earlier classic, there's no need to compare. They could have done something atrocious as many remakes do, of "re-imagining" to the modern era (and they certainly could have-the cold war is back). I loved the "vintage" cinematic look they achieved. While some may be overly critical of this show by comparing it to the classic 1965 movie, I think this show can stand on its own. ![]()
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