Michael Caine's classic near-perfect spy thriller The Ipcress File is now streaming on the BBC iPlayer again after airing on BBC Two over the weekend.
As is typical for films on iPlayer, it will only be available to stream for 28 days until it gets broadcast again (which might be November/December going by previous years)
The 1965 film stars Caine as intelligence agent Harry Palmer as he investigates the disappearance of several high-level scientists. It was created by some of the team behind the original James Bond films as a darker alternative.
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The film won three BAFTAs on release, including Best British Film. It was later selected as part of the BFI Top 100 British Films of the 20th Century list.
Over on Rotten Tomatoes, it has a near-perfect score of 97% positive from the 32 critic reviews collated.
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Variety's review reads: "Caine skillfully resists any temptation he may have had to pep up the proceedings. In fact, his consistent underplaying adds considerably to the pull of the picture."
"Cinematographer Otto Heller summons up Palmer's disorientation and alienation with weird, oblique angles. Caine's star-quality and absolute ease in front of the camera are fully formed," wrote The Guardian.
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The Ipcress File actually received another adaptation a few years ago on ITV, with Peaky Blinders and Gangs of London actor Joe Cole playing the role of Harry Palmer.
Speaking about stepping into the shoes of an actor with a very noticeable way of speaking, he said: "I wanted to put my own spin on it and didn't want to be kind of [copying him].
"When I watched the movie, I started worrying that I was going to start trying to do a Michael Caine impersonation without actually realising I was doing it, because he is so iconic, and because he has such a presence and personality on screen."
Although the film received multiple sequel films, it looks like the show isn't getting a second season.
The Ipcress File film can be streamed on BBC iPlayer for 28 days. The TV show can be streamed on ITVX/STV Player and with a Disney+ subscription.
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Joe Anderton is a freelance news writer at Digital Spy, having worked there since 2016. In his time, he's covered a host of live events and interviewed celebrities big and small. A big fan of TV and movies both mainstream and obscure, Joe also enjoys video games and in particular PlayStation. Joe currently does not use Twitter, but he only ever used it to tell people to watch the film Help! I'm a Fish.
