1960s

An exceedingly rare poster for the South African release of the 1965 British espionage thriller The Ipcress File starring Michael Caine as agent Harry Palmer. The South African one-sheet features a slightly darker version of the atmospheric Angelo Cesselon artwork used for the British International one-sheet, which was created for use throughout the Commonwealth. Based on Len Deighton's 1962 spy novel of the same name and produced by James Bond co-producer Harry Saltzman, The Ipcress File was designed as an edgier anti-Bond, despite the involvement of 007 production designer Ken Adam, editor Peter Hunt and composer John Barry. Although just as soave and womanising in his own way, working class agent Harry Palmer harked back to the wisecracking and anti-authoritative attitude of 1930s detective novels and focused on the grittier realism of espionage. Forced to become a spy after being court-martialed for black market racketeering in Berlin, Palmer is kidnapped and subjected to the IPCRESS conditioning method, while investigating the brainwashing of sixteen top British scientists. The Ipcress File was named the Best British film of 1965 by BAFTA and ranks at number 59 on the BFI list of the 100 best British films of the 20th century.

Condition

Excellent (A-)

Conservation backed on linen. Backing has smoothed and diminished fold lines, wear to crossfolds and minor nicks to edges. Light staining to corners. Light rippling along vertical fold in lower portion. Image and colours otherwise excellent.