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
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