Ipcress File (1965)

The first of three movies starring Michael Caine as "Harry Palmer" the anti-James bond.  Plenty of location shots of 1965 London, and a great cast.  Lots of flashy direction by Stanley Furie. The best thing is Michael Caine who bring the right amount of humor and working class energy to the role. The story starts slow, taking 30 minutes for us to meet the villain and start the story. Too much time is spent showing us that Caine is NOT Bond, and that spies lives are mostly humdrum and average.

Best scenes:

• Palmer and Dalby meet in British Supermarket.
• Major Ross and Caine meet the villain while listening to a military Band
• Palmer must decide who is the Double Agent (Satirized on Get Smart)

Worst Scenes:

• Palmer is brainwashed using psychedelic lights and sketchy 60's movie science.
• We seen Caine make dinner twice. 

Summary: The first and best of the Harry Palmer Spy Triology. Labeled "The thinking man's James Bond, it starts off too slow but quickly becomes an engaging spy story with some very good acting. Overall its uneven and might bore those uninterested in 60's London and the Cold war.