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Miniseries – The Ipcress File

Play trailer 1:36 Poster for Miniseries – The Ipcress File May 2022 Drama History Play Trailer Watchlist
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94% Tomatometer 16 Reviews 63% Popcornmeter Fewer than 50 Ratings
As the Cold War rages, former smuggler-turned-reluctant spy Harry Palmer finds himself at the center of a dangerous undercover mission, on which he must use his links to find a missing British nuclear scientist.
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The Ipcress File — Miniseries

The Ipcress File — Miniseries

What to Know

Critics Consensus

Slick, stylish, and packing sly nods to present politics, The Ipcress File is a classic spy caper with a modern sensibility.

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Critics Reviews

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Nina Metz Chicago Tribune 05/26/2022
3.5/4
It’s an intricately plotted series that doesn’t glamorize spy work so much as make clear just how awful it can be. Go to Full Review Deborah Ross The Mail on Sunday (UK) 03/14/2022
5/5
This is fun. The script sizzles, the story is terrific in its silly way, and it is stunning visually. Go to Full Review Nick Hilton Independent (UK) 03/07/2022
4/5
It is satisfying to see spying represented in such cartoonish colours, as well as a rose-tinted retrospection on the red scare. Go to Full Review Glenn Garvin Reason Online 05/20/2022
The excellence of the cast lends weight to this series, which, even if it lacks the satiric edge of the original novel, is a well-executed addition to the spy genre. Go to Full Review Remus Noronha Collider 05/18/2022
A
While there are references and homages to the 1965 movie, the series does not attempt to be a recreation of the film and that's the main reason why it's so enjoyable. Go to Full Review Andrew Dex Starburst 04/11/2022
3/5
The five-episode mini-series is a mystery drama delight. File under: "Recommended Viewing." Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Edward L @Glyndower Mar 20 An interesting stab at rebooting a classic story undermined by the casting of Joe Cole. His slack jawed performance makes Harry Palmer appear mentally handicapped. As always Tom Hollander appears to save the day with his usual understated brilliance. See more Gert E @GertAFE Jul 1 Totally up my alley, so well done: spy story, style and eye for detail, gritty, history, great dialogue, cool and uncomfortable tension, slow and 'believable' train of events and Joe Cole's smirk. I get a kick out of this. See more Peter Q @RT15039453 01/10/2025 Explosive action, and clever onion peeling. Dry humor abounds. Perfect cast. This IS the wonderful book. On a par with Tinker Tailor and Bridge Of Spies, and The Foreigner. Above Night Manager, most Le Carre, and middle-era Bond. Better than the Caine film, a weird satire on bureaucracy, that left out most of the book. So packed, I watched every episode twice, before moving on. Here, all but one (daffy) pro critic rightly rates it good. See more David L @RT25500223 12/11/2024 Totally absorbing. Well-crafted spy thriller with excellent tension and storytelling See more Andrei D @RT74856639 08/11/2024 A little conventional and requires some significant suspension of disbelief See more John S @JohnSmithReviews 02/10/2024 I should have looked at the audience reviews (which are usually far more accurate than the critics). Sadly, I've watched four episodes, and it's just still plain dull. I can't think of a worse casting choice than Joe Cole for the lead in this. Doesn't suit the role at all…although many would probably argue he doesn't suit many roles. The pace is quite slow yet still feels like your grip on the story is very shallow. The worst of both worlds. I end my review with a reminder to myself: always ignore critic reviews and always take note of audience reviews that are under 65. See more Read all reviews
The Ipcress File — Miniseries

My Rating

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Cast & Crew

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Joe Cole

Harry Palmer

Lucy Boynton

Jean Courtney

Tom Hollander

Dalby

Ashley Thomas

Maddox

Brian Ferguson

Randall

Tom Vaughan-Lawlor

General Cathcart

Episodes

Episode 1 Aired May 19, 2022 During the Cold War, ex-smuggler Harry Palmer is enrolled as a reluctant but talented spy; sent to Berlin, Harry embarks on a dangerous mission and his survival depends on his own wits and the interventions of Maddox. Details Episode 2 Aired May 26, 2022 Palmer embraces his intuition, but gun-for-hire Randall is always one step ahead; a tip-off from a key witness draws Jean and Palmer closer to the truth, but their discovery only opens the door to a mystery. Details Episode 3 Aired Jun 2, 2022 As they chase Randall to Beirut where he holds Dawson, Harry and Jean's relationship intensifies; suspicious Americans watch Dalby and find him in secret talks with a Russian spy; Colonel Stok offers Dalby a tempting trade. Details Episode 4 Aired Jun 9, 2022 Suspecting an American hand in Dawson's abduction, Dalby challenges General Cathcart by sending Harry and Jean to the neutron bomb test; Harry follows a trail of clues into big trouble; Maddox undermines Jean's trust in her colleague. Details Episode 5 Aired Jun 16, 2022 Harry is handed over to the Chinese military where he is subjected to a bewildering regime of mental torture; Dalby's love for Dr. Lavotchkin takes its toll on his better judgement. Details Episode 6 Aired Jun 23, 2022 Harry Palmer runs from the brainwashing but cannot hide from the agents of Cathcart's conspiracy; Jean discovers the origin of Maddox's conflict; Dalby learns his organization is to be axed; Harry worries about what has been planted in his mind. Details

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The Ipcress File — Miniseries

The Ipcress File: Season 1 Trailer The Ipcress File: Season 1 Trailer 1:36 View more videos
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The Ipcress File — Miniseries

The Ipcress File The Ipcress File View more photos

Season Info

Director
James Watkins
Executive Producer
James Watkins, John Hodge, Hilary Saltzman, Sanford Lieberson, Andy Mason, Andrew Eaton, Will Clarke, Steven Saltzman, Alexander Deighton, Alex Mason
Screenwriter
John Hodge
Network
AMC+
Genre
Drama, History
Original Language
British English
Release Date
May 19, 2022