Following the success of The Ipcress File (1965), Michael Caine returned as Cockney spy Harry Palmer in this dense thriller that is so full of ingenious plotlines that you need to have your wits about you to follow what’s going on.
Nazi war criminals and Israeli agents complicate matters for Harry when he’s assigned to travel behind the Iron Curtain to persuade Colonel Stok (Oscar Homolka), the Russian intelligence officer in charge of Berlin Wall security, to defect to the West.
Beautiful location work, another great score and the sultry Eva Renzi make the labyrinthian plot a pleasure to follow.
In keeping with Len Deighton’s novel, the film blends action with sardonic humour and suspense, and it’s all held together by Guy Hamilton’s skilful, albeit rather dour, direction.
Harry Palmer
Michael Caine
Samantha Steel
Eva Renzi
Johnny Vulkan
Paul Hubschmid
Colonel Stok
Oscar Homolka
Hallam
Hugh Burden
Mrs Ross
Rachel Gurney
Reinhart
Thomas Holtzmann
Ross
Guy Doleman
Aaron Levine
Heinz Schubert
Kreutzmann
Günter Meisner
Werner
Wolfgang Völz
Otto Rukel
Klaus Jepsen
Artur
Herbert Fux
Benjamin
Rainer Brandt
Monika
Ira Hagen
Brigit
Marthe Keller
Director
Guy Hamilton
