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The Ipcress File

Spy thriller in which intelligence agent Harry Palmer is plunged into the shabby and treacherous world of counter-espionage as he uncovers a bizarre brain drain among scientists. Based on the novel by Len Deighton.

1 hour, 43 minutes

Last on

Sat 29 Nov 202514:45
BBC Two

Music Played

  • John Barry

    The Search

  • John Barry

    Main Title Theme (from The Ipcress File)

    Performer: John Leach.

  • John Barry

    Dialogue 'I Just Love The Army'

  • John Barry

    Dialogue 'Is This A Promotion, Sir'

  • John Barry

    Dialogue 'A Fair Appraisal'

  • John Barry

    Jazz Along Alone

  • John Barry

    Dialogue 'I Like Birds Best'

  • Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

    Eine Kleine Nachtmusik K525 (Rondo)

    Performer: Philharmonia Orchestra. Performer: Colin Davis.

  • John Barry

    A Man Alone

  • John Barry

    Dialogue 'Button Mushrooms and Birds'

  • John Barry

    Dialogue 'Best Meal You've Ever Eaten'

  • John Barry

    Dialogue 'There's A Dead American Agent In My Flat'

  • John Barry

    Dialogue 'Lose Yourself'

  • John Barry

    Dialogue 'You Used Me'

The Soundtrack

John Barry's score for The Ipcress File is a fine example of popular music being used to great effect in film - something he continued in his most famous work for the James Bond franchise.

In Sound of Cinema: The Music That Made the Movies, Neil Brand describes how the opening score hints at threat and intrigue, but adds a touch of lightness, suggesting that this will be an entertaining as well as tense ride.

You can find out more about how soundtracks went pop in episode two of Neil Brand's BBC Four series.

Credits

Harry PalmerMichael Caine
Major DalbyNigel Green
Colonel HL RossGuy Doleman
Jean CourtneySue Lloyd
DirectorSidney J Furie
Jock CarswellGordon Jackson
Dr RadcliffeAubrey Richards
BluejayFrank Gatliff
BarneyThomas Baptiste
HousemartinOliver Macgreevy
AliceFreda Bamford
Inspector Pat KeightleyStanley Meadows
Police Station SergeantGlynn Edwards
WriterBill Canaway
WriterJames Doran
ProducerHarry Saltzman

Broadcasts

  • Tue 31 Jul 200723:20
    BBC Two except East & Yorkshire
  • Sun 4 May 200823:00
    BBC Two except East & Yorkshire
  • Sun 30 Nov 200823:50
    BBC One except Northern Ireland
  • Sun 13 Sep 200913:15
    BBC Two Northern Ireland, England & Wales only
  • Sun 18 Jul 201000:15
    BBC Two except East, Wales (Analogue) & Yorkshire
  • Thu 29 Dec 201112:05
    BBC Two except East, Wales (Analogue) & Yorkshire
  • Sat 22 Sep 201213:40
    BBC Two Scotland, England & Wales only
  • Sat 22 Sep 201214:40
    BBC Two Northern Ireland
  • Thu 12 Sep 201322:00
    BBC Four
  • Mon 6 Jan 201421:00
    BBC Four
  • Mon 29 Dec 201422:00
    BBC Four
  • Sat 10 Jan 201513:45
    BBC Two except East, Wales (Analogue) & Yorkshire
  • Wed 7 Dec 201621:00
    BBC Four
  • Sat 29 Apr 201713:45
    BBC Two Scotland, Wales, England & HD only
  • Sat 15 Dec 201814:20
    BBC Two except East, Wales (Analogue) & Yorkshire
  • Sat 28 Dec 201914:55
    BBC Two except East, Scotland, Wales (Analogue) & Yorkshire & BBC Scotland
  • New Year's Day 202021:00
    BBC Four
  • Sun 12 Jul 202014:45
    BBC Two Wales & Wales HD only
  • Sun 12 Jul 202015:45
    BBC Two England, HD, Northern Ireland HD & Northern Ireland only
  • Sat 6 Mar 202113:00
    BBC Two except East, Scotland, Wales (Analogue) & Yorkshire
  • Sun 2 Jan 202214:05
    BBC Two except East, Scotland, Wales (Analogue) & Yorkshire
  • Sun 2 Oct 202214:05
    BBC Two except East, Scotland, Wales (Analogue) & Yorkshire
  • Sat 11 Mar 202313:30
    BBC Two except East, Scotland, Wales (Analogue) & Yorkshire
  • Thu 16 Mar 202321:00
    BBC Four
  • Sat 16 Dec 202313:00
    BBC Two except East, Scotland, Wales (Analogue) & Yorkshire
  • Sat 8 Mar 202513:05
    BBC Two except East, Scotland, Wales (Analogue) & Yorkshire
  • Thu 13 Mar 202520:00
    BBC Four
  • Sat 29 Nov 202514:45
    BBC Two except East, Scotland, Wales (Analogue) & Yorkshire

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