In Jay Roach's 1997 James Bond spoof "Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery," the film's villain, Dr. Evil (Mike Myers), aims to murder off his arch-nemesis by dropping him into a tank full of man-eating sharks. In a supervillainous twist, the sharks will be equipped with laser beams affixed to their heads. Dr. Evil says he likes his pets to have a well-cooked meal before eating. He then cackles maniacally. A lieutenant of his, however, informs Dr. Evil that buying sharks equipped with lasers is immensely difficult and that the tank is, instead, filled with flesh-eating sea bass. Dr. Evil isn't thrilled. "You know, I have one simple request," Dr. Evil says, "and that is to have sharks with frickin' laser beams attached to their heads!"
One cannot say if there's a direct connection to the above scene and a James Bond movie that Sean Connery once wrote, but there are a few uncanny similarities.
One cannot say if there's a direct connection to the above scene and a James Bond movie that Sean Connery once wrote, but there are a few uncanny similarities.
- 4/23/2024
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
This article contains spoilers
Secret Invasion is not the first time the MCU has dipped its toe into the spy genre; Captain America: The Winter Soldier has been a fan favorite among MCU films since it was released in 2014. But Secret Invasion, a show following not superheroes (Rhodey aside), but human spies and aliens posing as humans, embraces the spy genre more than anything we’ve seen yet. With Russia back in the bad guy role, the show draws on the best spy dramas of the Cold War, and with London featuring quite heavily in its story and the British Prime Minister having a major role, a lot of those dramas are British spy classics.
The best known British spy dramas are, of course, the James Bond novels and the films inspired by them. Author Ian Fleming had worked for the British Naval Intelligence Division in World War Two, so...
Secret Invasion is not the first time the MCU has dipped its toe into the spy genre; Captain America: The Winter Soldier has been a fan favorite among MCU films since it was released in 2014. But Secret Invasion, a show following not superheroes (Rhodey aside), but human spies and aliens posing as humans, embraces the spy genre more than anything we’ve seen yet. With Russia back in the bad guy role, the show draws on the best spy dramas of the Cold War, and with London featuring quite heavily in its story and the British Prime Minister having a major role, a lot of those dramas are British spy classics.
The best known British spy dramas are, of course, the James Bond novels and the films inspired by them. Author Ian Fleming had worked for the British Naval Intelligence Division in World War Two, so...
- 7/3/2023
- by Kirsten Howard
- Den of Geek
Famed literary editor Robert Gottlieb, former Simon & Schuster editor-in-chief and editor of Toni Morrison’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel “Beloved,” has died at the age of 92.
The writer died of natural causes at a New York hospital on Wednesday, and his death was announced by Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group. The New Yorker, where Gottlieb also previously served as editor-in-chief, shared the news of his death via Twitter, posting an article that details his life and impact.
Gottlieb was born April 29, 1931, and was raised in the Manhattan borough of New York City. He graduated from Columbia University in 1952 before attending Cambridge University in the U.K for two years.
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Three years later, Gottlieb joined publishing company Simon and Schuster working as an editorial assistant for Jack Goodman, then-editor-in-chief. While there he edited Joseph Heller’s “Catch 22,...
The writer died of natural causes at a New York hospital on Wednesday, and his death was announced by Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group. The New Yorker, where Gottlieb also previously served as editor-in-chief, shared the news of his death via Twitter, posting an article that details his life and impact.
Gottlieb was born April 29, 1931, and was raised in the Manhattan borough of New York City. He graduated from Columbia University in 1952 before attending Cambridge University in the U.K for two years.
Also Read:
Cormac McCarthy, Legendary Author of ‘No Country for Old Men’ and ‘The Road,’ Dies at 89
Three years later, Gottlieb joined publishing company Simon and Schuster working as an editorial assistant for Jack Goodman, then-editor-in-chief. While there he edited Joseph Heller’s “Catch 22,...
- 6/14/2023
- by Raquel "Rocky" Harris
- The Wrap
Even Quentin Tarantino has had his fair share of celebrity crushes. But there’s one 40-Year-Old Virgin actor who the filmmaker once confided he’d had his eye on for a while.
The ‘40 Year-Old-Virgin’ star Quentin Tarantino has a huge crush on Quentin Tarantino | Andreas Rentz/Getty Images
Tarantino has been very open about his feelings towards certain leading ladies. He’s often gushed about how attractive he finds his frequent collaborator Uma Thurman, for instance. In a resurfaced interview with Time, Tarantino believed that there were few actors who could compare with his Kill Bill star.
“People talk about beautiful actresses,” Tarantino said. “Like Cameron Diaz, she’s a beautiful girl. But I went to high school with three girls who look like Cameron Diaz. Uma Thurman is a different species. She’s up there with Garbo and Dietrich in goddess territory.”
Likewise, when Elle asked him in 2009 what...
The ‘40 Year-Old-Virgin’ star Quentin Tarantino has a huge crush on Quentin Tarantino | Andreas Rentz/Getty Images
Tarantino has been very open about his feelings towards certain leading ladies. He’s often gushed about how attractive he finds his frequent collaborator Uma Thurman, for instance. In a resurfaced interview with Time, Tarantino believed that there were few actors who could compare with his Kill Bill star.
“People talk about beautiful actresses,” Tarantino said. “Like Cameron Diaz, she’s a beautiful girl. But I went to high school with three girls who look like Cameron Diaz. Uma Thurman is a different species. She’s up there with Garbo and Dietrich in goddess territory.”
Likewise, when Elle asked him in 2009 what...
- 6/7/2023
- by Antonio Stallings
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Quentin Tarantino was once interested in making his own James Bond movie. Although he’d never join the roster of Bond filmmakers due to creative reasons, Tarantino also had his sights set on another MI6 spy series.
Quentin Tarantino would’ve made a much cheaper James Bond movie Quentin Tarantino | Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic
Tarantino was very vocal about his desire to direct a James Bond film. His Bond would’ve maintained Pierce Brosnan as the lead, and would’ve lifted direct inspiration from Ian Flemming’s first Bond novel Casino Royale.
Of course in order to make his vision a reality, Tarantino would’ve had to go through the original Bond producers first. He felt it should’ve taken little convincing since he was positive the 007 agent would be in good hands under his guidance.
“I don`t see that they have anything to lose at all,” Tarantino once told...
Quentin Tarantino would’ve made a much cheaper James Bond movie Quentin Tarantino | Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic
Tarantino was very vocal about his desire to direct a James Bond film. His Bond would’ve maintained Pierce Brosnan as the lead, and would’ve lifted direct inspiration from Ian Flemming’s first Bond novel Casino Royale.
Of course in order to make his vision a reality, Tarantino would’ve had to go through the original Bond producers first. He felt it should’ve taken little convincing since he was positive the 007 agent would be in good hands under his guidance.
“I don`t see that they have anything to lose at all,” Tarantino once told...
- 4/8/2023
- by Antonio Stallings
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
The Ipcress File
Ipcress File, BBC2, 2.05pm, Sunday, October 2
Michael Caine was busy cementing himself as a household name on the big screen when he took on the role of Harry Palmer in Sidney J Furie's spy thriller, which came out the year after his breakout turn in 1964's Zulu and the year before Alfie. He brings a dash of East End grit to Len Deighton's secret-agent-with-attitude, who is embroiled in a kidnapping and brainwashing plot. Shot with off-kilter angles by cinematographer Otto Heller, we are invited to step into Palmer's disorientation, but Furie always ensures the movie stays grounded in a reality that's a world away from the glitz of James Bond.
Welcome To Chechnya: The Gay Purge, 10.30pm BBC4, Tuesday, September 27
David France's deep dive into the underground network trying to help LGBT+ people whose lives are threatened by the extreme Chechen government is a bleak but urgent watch.
Ipcress File, BBC2, 2.05pm, Sunday, October 2
Michael Caine was busy cementing himself as a household name on the big screen when he took on the role of Harry Palmer in Sidney J Furie's spy thriller, which came out the year after his breakout turn in 1964's Zulu and the year before Alfie. He brings a dash of East End grit to Len Deighton's secret-agent-with-attitude, who is embroiled in a kidnapping and brainwashing plot. Shot with off-kilter angles by cinematographer Otto Heller, we are invited to step into Palmer's disorientation, but Furie always ensures the movie stays grounded in a reality that's a world away from the glitz of James Bond.
Welcome To Chechnya: The Gay Purge, 10.30pm BBC4, Tuesday, September 27
David France's deep dive into the underground network trying to help LGBT+ people whose lives are threatened by the extreme Chechen government is a bleak but urgent watch.
- 9/26/2022
- by Amber Wilkinson
- eyeforfilm.co.uk
Take a look at new images of actress Lucy Boynton, the star of TV series “The Ipcress File", directed by James Watkins, set in 1963, adapting the novel by Len Deighton, now streaming on AMC+:
"...spy chief 'Major Dalby' gives small-time grifter 'Corporal Harry Palmer' a way out of 'Colchester Military Prison' by offering him a job as an intelligence officer in his small but influential Whitehall security unit.
"The unit's investigation into a missing British nuclear scientist expands into a case of international espionage which is documented in the contents of the 'Ipcress File'.
"'Wooc'(‘War Office Operational Communications') is a civilian department of the UK's intelligence community...
"...reporting directly to the 'Cabinet' and enjoys the fact that both 'MI5' and 'MI6' are envious of it..."
Click the images to enlarge...
"...spy chief 'Major Dalby' gives small-time grifter 'Corporal Harry Palmer' a way out of 'Colchester Military Prison' by offering him a job as an intelligence officer in his small but influential Whitehall security unit.
"The unit's investigation into a missing British nuclear scientist expands into a case of international espionage which is documented in the contents of the 'Ipcress File'.
"'Wooc'(‘War Office Operational Communications') is a civilian department of the UK's intelligence community...
"...reporting directly to the 'Cabinet' and enjoys the fact that both 'MI5' and 'MI6' are envious of it..."
Click the images to enlarge...
- 7/20/2022
- by Unknown
- SneakPeek
"The Ipcress File", directed by James Watkins, is the new ITV/AMC+ Brit-produced spy thriller TV series set in 1963, adapting the novel by Len Deighton, starring Joe Cole, Lucy Boynton and Tom Hollander, now streaming on AMC+:
"...spy chief 'Major Dalby' gives small-time grifter 'Corporal Harry Palmer' a way out of 'Colchester Military Prison' by offering him a job as an intelligence officer in his small but influential Whitehall security unit.
"The unit's investigation into a missing British nuclear scientist expands into a case of international espionage which is documented in the contents of the 'Ipcress File'.
"'Wooc'(‘War Office Operational Communications') is a civilian department of the UK's intelligence community...
"...reporting directly to the 'Cabinet' and enjoys the fact that both 'MI5' and 'MI6' are envious of it..."
Click the images to enlarge...
"...spy chief 'Major Dalby' gives small-time grifter 'Corporal Harry Palmer' a way out of 'Colchester Military Prison' by offering him a job as an intelligence officer in his small but influential Whitehall security unit.
"The unit's investigation into a missing British nuclear scientist expands into a case of international espionage which is documented in the contents of the 'Ipcress File'.
"'Wooc'(‘War Office Operational Communications') is a civilian department of the UK's intelligence community...
"...reporting directly to the 'Cabinet' and enjoys the fact that both 'MI5' and 'MI6' are envious of it..."
Click the images to enlarge...
- 6/24/2022
- by Unknown
- SneakPeek
I often felt like crying “U.N.C.L.E.” (as in The Man From) while watching The Ipcress File, a stylized 1960s-era spy caper. The Manchurian Candidate (seen on a movie marquee) is another touchstone for this keen, kitschy six-part romp based on Len Deighton’s bestseller. You may also be reminded of shows like Secret Agent and the original Mission: Impossible as the twisty series spins its exotic web. (Credit: Ben Blackall/Mikola Preovic / ©AMC+ /Courtesy Everett Collection) In the role that helped make Michael Caine a star in a 1965 film, Peaky Blinders’ Joe Cole has insolent charm to spare as bad-boy agent Harry Palmer. “I am uncomfortable discussing my emotions,” he insists, but unlike his contemporary James Bond, who also has a license to kill, Harry lacks the will, showing remorse after a harrowing shootout. Plucked from prison by a rogue bureau (led by a sly Tom...
- 5/17/2022
- TV Insider
The film version of Len Deighton’s “The Ipcress File,” released in 1965, isn’t exactly the kind of thing that feels like it could support six chapters of episodic television. Sure, the original went on to produce four sequels with the wonderfully droll Michael Caine, but the first film felt largely like a response to the dashing, action-heavy world created by Ian Fleming in the James Bond novels and films.
Continue reading ‘The Ipcress File Review’: AMC+ Series Struggles To Escape Shadow Of The Michael Caine Original at The Playlist.
Continue reading ‘The Ipcress File Review’: AMC+ Series Struggles To Escape Shadow Of The Michael Caine Original at The Playlist.
- 5/13/2022
- by Brian Tallerico
- The Playlist
AMC+ has unveiled the trailer for its upcoming new espionage thriller The Ipcress File, based on the best-selling Len Deighton novel. Adapted for television by Oscar-nominated screenwriter John Hodge (Trainspotting), the atmospheric drama series stars Joe Cole (Peaky Blinders) as iconic British spy Harry Palmer, Lucy Boynton (The Politician) as intelligence officer Jean Courtney, and Tom Hollander (Baptiste) as spy chief Major Dalby. As can be seen in the teaser (watch below), the series promises plenty of twists and turns as it tells a tale of abducted scientists, brainwashing, inter-departmental rivalries, treason, and possibly an unwise romance. The stylish spy thriller is directed by Emmy winner James Watkins (The Woman In Black) and is set in Berlin and London during the 1960s. The Ipcress File takes place at the height of the Cold War, where ex-soldier and convicted thief Harry Palmer is recruited to an unorthodox British spy unit whose boss,...
- 5/6/2022
- TV Insider
"The Ipcress File", directed by James Watkins, is the new ITV, Brit-produced spy thriller TV series set in 1963, adapting the 1962 novel by Len Deighton, starring Joe Cole, Lucy Boynton and Tom Hollander, streaming May 19, 2022 on AMC+:
"...spy chief 'Major Dalby' gives small-time grifter 'Corporal Harry Palmer' a way out of 'Colchester Military Prison' by offering him a job as an intelligence officer in his small but influential Whitehall security unit.
"The unit's investigation into a missing British nuclear scientist expands into a case of international espionage which is documented in the contents of the 'Ipcress File'.
"'Wooc'(‘War Office Operational Communications') is a civilian department of the UK's intelligence community...
"...reporting directly to the 'Cabinet' and enjoys the fact that both 'MI5' and 'MI6' are envious of it..."
Click the images to enlarge...
"...spy chief 'Major Dalby' gives small-time grifter 'Corporal Harry Palmer' a way out of 'Colchester Military Prison' by offering him a job as an intelligence officer in his small but influential Whitehall security unit.
"The unit's investigation into a missing British nuclear scientist expands into a case of international espionage which is documented in the contents of the 'Ipcress File'.
"'Wooc'(‘War Office Operational Communications') is a civilian department of the UK's intelligence community...
"...reporting directly to the 'Cabinet' and enjoys the fact that both 'MI5' and 'MI6' are envious of it..."
Click the images to enlarge...
- 5/6/2022
- by Unknown
- SneakPeek
‘The Ipcress File’ Trailer: Joe Cole Is Harry Palmer In AMC+’s Reboot Of The Classic ’60s Spy Series
Of all the great, classic spy and espionage films or TV shows— Bond, “The Man From U.N.C.L.E.,’ the Jack Ryan films and TV shows, the “Kingsman’ series, “Three Days Of The Condor,” and all the classic spy films from the 1960s and ‘70s, etc.—the one that mainstream audiences probably know the least well is “The Ipcress File.”
Based on the globally renowned Len Deighton spy novel of the same name, “The Ipcress File” series starred Michael Caine as Harry Palmer and ended up as a trilogy of films: “The Ipcress File” (1965), “Funeral in Berlin” (1966) and “Billion Dollar Brain” (1967), this of course back in the day when movie studios didn’t really know how to franchise something by including a franchise title to tie the films together (decades later Caine returned to the character in 1995’s “Harry Alan Towers’ Bullet to Beijing” and 96’s “Midnight in Saint Petersburg”).
Continue reading...
Based on the globally renowned Len Deighton spy novel of the same name, “The Ipcress File” series starred Michael Caine as Harry Palmer and ended up as a trilogy of films: “The Ipcress File” (1965), “Funeral in Berlin” (1966) and “Billion Dollar Brain” (1967), this of course back in the day when movie studios didn’t really know how to franchise something by including a franchise title to tie the films together (decades later Caine returned to the character in 1995’s “Harry Alan Towers’ Bullet to Beijing” and 96’s “Midnight in Saint Petersburg”).
Continue reading...
- 5/5/2022
- by Edward Davis
- The Playlist
Actress Lucy Boynton co-stars in the new ITV, Brit-produced spy thriller TV series "The Ipcress File", directed by James Watkins, set in 1963, adapting the novel by Len Deighton, also starring Joe Cole and Tom Hollander, streaming in 2022 on AMC+:
"...spy chief 'Major Dalby' gives small-time grifter 'Corporal Harry Palmer' a way out of 'Colchester Military Prison' by offering him a job as an intelligence officer in his small but influential Whitehall security unit.
"The unit's investigation into a missing British nuclear scientist expands into a case of international espionage which is documented in the contents of the 'Ipcress File'.
"'Wooc'(‘War Office Operational Communications') is a civilian department of the UK's intelligence community...
"...reporting directly to the 'Cabinet' and enjoys the fact that both 'MI5' and 'MI6' are envious of it..."
Click the images to enlarge...
"...spy chief 'Major Dalby' gives small-time grifter 'Corporal Harry Palmer' a way out of 'Colchester Military Prison' by offering him a job as an intelligence officer in his small but influential Whitehall security unit.
"The unit's investigation into a missing British nuclear scientist expands into a case of international espionage which is documented in the contents of the 'Ipcress File'.
"'Wooc'(‘War Office Operational Communications') is a civilian department of the UK's intelligence community...
"...reporting directly to the 'Cabinet' and enjoys the fact that both 'MI5' and 'MI6' are envious of it..."
Click the images to enlarge...
- 4/27/2022
- by Unknown
- SneakPeek
"The Ipcress File", directed by James Watkins, is the new ITV/AMC+ Brit-produced spy thriller TV series set in 1963, adapting the novel by Len Deighton, starring Joe Cole, Lucy Boynton and Tom Hollander:
"...spy chief 'Major Dalby' gives small-time grifter 'Corporal Harry Palmer' a way out of 'Colchester Military Prison' by offering him a job as an intelligence officer in his small but influential Whitehall security unit.
"The unit's investigation into a missing British nuclear scientist expands into a case of international espionage which is documented in the contents of the 'Ipcress File'.
"'Wooc'(‘War Office Operational Communications') is a civilian department of the UK's intelligence community...
"...reporting directly to the 'Cabinet' and enjoys the fact that both 'MI5' and 'MI6' are envious of it..."
Click the images to enlarge...
"...spy chief 'Major Dalby' gives small-time grifter 'Corporal Harry Palmer' a way out of 'Colchester Military Prison' by offering him a job as an intelligence officer in his small but influential Whitehall security unit.
"The unit's investigation into a missing British nuclear scientist expands into a case of international espionage which is documented in the contents of the 'Ipcress File'.
"'Wooc'(‘War Office Operational Communications') is a civilian department of the UK's intelligence community...
"...reporting directly to the 'Cabinet' and enjoys the fact that both 'MI5' and 'MI6' are envious of it..."
Click the images to enlarge...
- 4/17/2022
- by Unknown
- SneakPeek
Apple TV’s six-part mini-series Slow Horses, adapted from the novels of the same name by Mick Herron, landed on 1 April with a one-two punch and promptly kept viewers waiting, having decided to parse out the remaining four episodes out on a weekly basis. “It was Apple’s decision,” says director James Hawes. “But if the response I’ve had is anything to go by, the anticipation it has created is fantastic. I’ve got people ringing me up to say, ‘Why are you doing this? I wanted to finish it over the weekend!’ The greatest compliment you could have is that people are demanding more—and now.”
Starring Gary Oldman as dishevelled spy Jackson Lamb, the series concerns the exploits of the lower ranks of the British secret service. The show starts with a bang, then moves to a grimy, twilight world full of operatives—like Jack Lowden’s...
Starring Gary Oldman as dishevelled spy Jackson Lamb, the series concerns the exploits of the lower ranks of the British secret service. The show starts with a bang, then moves to a grimy, twilight world full of operatives—like Jack Lowden’s...
- 4/12/2022
- by Damon Wise
- Deadline Film + TV
"The Ipcress File", directed by James Watkins, is the new ITV, Brit-produced spy thriller TV series set in 1963, adapting the 1962 novel by Len Deighton, starring Joe Cole, Lucy Boynton and Tom Hollander, coming to AMC+:
"...spy chief 'Major Dalby' gives small-time grifter 'Corporal Harry Palmer' a way out of 'Colchester Military Prison' by offering him a job as an intelligence officer in his small but influential Whitehall security unit.
"The unit's investigation into a missing British nuclear scientist expands into a case of international espionage which is documented in the contents of the 'Ipcress File'.
"'Wooc'(‘War Office Operational Communications') is a civilian department of the UK's intelligence community...
"...reporting directly to the 'Cabinet' and enjoys the fact that both 'MI5' and 'MI6' are envious of it..."
Click the images to enlarge...
"...spy chief 'Major Dalby' gives small-time grifter 'Corporal Harry Palmer' a way out of 'Colchester Military Prison' by offering him a job as an intelligence officer in his small but influential Whitehall security unit.
"The unit's investigation into a missing British nuclear scientist expands into a case of international espionage which is documented in the contents of the 'Ipcress File'.
"'Wooc'(‘War Office Operational Communications') is a civilian department of the UK's intelligence community...
"...reporting directly to the 'Cabinet' and enjoys the fact that both 'MI5' and 'MI6' are envious of it..."
Click the images to enlarge...
- 3/21/2022
- by Unknown
- SneakPeek
Music Financier Invests In ITV’s ‘The Ipcress File’
Exclusive: Music financier Cutting Edge Media Music has invested in ITV’s adaptation of Len Deighton’s The Ipcress File and will take full music rights to the upcoming series. Altitude Television’s big-budget six-parter has already pre-sold to AMC+ and producer Andy Mayson said “Cutting Edge’s involvement and expertise has ensured the authentic sounds of the 60s feature.” The highly-anticipated series comes from Oscar-nominated screenwriter John Hodge and Emmy-winning director James Watkins, and stars Joe Cole, Tom Hollander and Lucy Boynton. Cole stars as Harry Palmer, a Cold War army sergeant who turns to spying in order to avoid prison, cutting his teeth on The Ipcress File. The book was adapted in 1965 into a hit film starring Michael Caine as Palmer.
‘Masked Singer UK’ Indie Bandicoot In Triple Hire
Masked Singer UK producer Bandicoot has made a triple hire...
Exclusive: Music financier Cutting Edge Media Music has invested in ITV’s adaptation of Len Deighton’s The Ipcress File and will take full music rights to the upcoming series. Altitude Television’s big-budget six-parter has already pre-sold to AMC+ and producer Andy Mayson said “Cutting Edge’s involvement and expertise has ensured the authentic sounds of the 60s feature.” The highly-anticipated series comes from Oscar-nominated screenwriter John Hodge and Emmy-winning director James Watkins, and stars Joe Cole, Tom Hollander and Lucy Boynton. Cole stars as Harry Palmer, a Cold War army sergeant who turns to spying in order to avoid prison, cutting his teeth on The Ipcress File. The book was adapted in 1965 into a hit film starring Michael Caine as Palmer.
‘Masked Singer UK’ Indie Bandicoot In Triple Hire
Masked Singer UK producer Bandicoot has made a triple hire...
- 1/24/2022
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
ITV’s upcoming adaptation of The Ipcress File “looks like a big Netflix show,” according to Director of Programmes Kevin Lygo, who said he wants the Len Deighton remake to reach beyond the “standard ITV viewer.”
Speaking during a press viewing Friday, Lygo joked that it is “obviously incredibly annoying” when people watch the show’s trailer and believe it is a Netflix original, due to “the scale of it being so stylish” and its high budget.
Altitude Television’s adaptation of the Deighton novel, which achieved worldwide acclaim when Michael Caine played the lead in the 1965 film version, stars Gangs of London’s Joe Cole as Harry Palmer, a Cold War sergeant who is released from a Berlin jail in order to work as a British spy. Trainspotting writer John Hodge has penned and the six-parter also features Bohemian Rhapsody’s Lucy Boynton and BAFTA-winner Tom Hollander.
“We don...
Speaking during a press viewing Friday, Lygo joked that it is “obviously incredibly annoying” when people watch the show’s trailer and believe it is a Netflix original, due to “the scale of it being so stylish” and its high budget.
Altitude Television’s adaptation of the Deighton novel, which achieved worldwide acclaim when Michael Caine played the lead in the 1965 film version, stars Gangs of London’s Joe Cole as Harry Palmer, a Cold War sergeant who is released from a Berlin jail in order to work as a British spy. Trainspotting writer John Hodge has penned and the six-parter also features Bohemian Rhapsody’s Lucy Boynton and BAFTA-winner Tom Hollander.
“We don...
- 12/20/2021
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
ViacomCBS announced the five participants for its 2021-2022 Directors Initiative: Julie Herlocker, Bao Tran, Joy T. Lane, Pat Santana and Steven J. Kung.
The initiative provides a platform for experienced directors to gain access to showrunners, executives, managers and agents as well as the opportunity to shadow CBS Television Network and CBS Studio shows throughout the year. The program helps directors develop relationships with industry professionals, networks that are essential to finding work in the field. In its 18th year, the program will guarantee all participants of the initiative an episode of television to direct on the CBS Television Network.
“The ViacomCBS Directors Initiative gives television directors the access, exposure and opportunity to be successful in this industry,” said Tiffany Smith-Anoa’i, executive vice president of entertainment diversity and inclusion and global inclusion at ViacomCBS. “Last year’s participant, Morenike Joela Evans, has recently helmed the ‘iCarly’ reboot for Paramount Plus...
The initiative provides a platform for experienced directors to gain access to showrunners, executives, managers and agents as well as the opportunity to shadow CBS Television Network and CBS Studio shows throughout the year. The program helps directors develop relationships with industry professionals, networks that are essential to finding work in the field. In its 18th year, the program will guarantee all participants of the initiative an episode of television to direct on the CBS Television Network.
“The ViacomCBS Directors Initiative gives television directors the access, exposure and opportunity to be successful in this industry,” said Tiffany Smith-Anoa’i, executive vice president of entertainment diversity and inclusion and global inclusion at ViacomCBS. “Last year’s participant, Morenike Joela Evans, has recently helmed the ‘iCarly’ reboot for Paramount Plus...
- 12/15/2021
- by Katie Song and Selome Hailu
- Variety Film + TV
AMC+ has picked up ITV’s soon-to-air big-budget adaptation of Len Deighton’s The Ipcress File from distributor ITV Studios.
AMC+ viewers will recognise lead Joe Cole, who plays iconic British spy Harry Palmer and also starred in Sky Atlantic’s Gangs Of London, which the streamer shows in the U.S.
The highly-anticipated six-parter from Altitude Television and Turbine will air early next year in the UK and also feature Bohemian Rhapsody’s Lucy Boynton and BAFTA-winner Tom Hollander.
The show is set in the Cold War era, as British army sergeant Palmer is stationed in Berlin before being sentenced to eight years in a military jail in England. To avoid prison, he becomes a spy, cutting his teeth on The Ipcress File.
The Deighton novels achieved worldwide fame when they were turned into a 1965 film starring Michael Caine.
The adaptation is penned by BAFTA-winning Trainspotting writer John Hodge,...
AMC+ viewers will recognise lead Joe Cole, who plays iconic British spy Harry Palmer and also starred in Sky Atlantic’s Gangs Of London, which the streamer shows in the U.S.
The highly-anticipated six-parter from Altitude Television and Turbine will air early next year in the UK and also feature Bohemian Rhapsody’s Lucy Boynton and BAFTA-winner Tom Hollander.
The show is set in the Cold War era, as British army sergeant Palmer is stationed in Berlin before being sentenced to eight years in a military jail in England. To avoid prison, he becomes a spy, cutting his teeth on The Ipcress File.
The Deighton novels achieved worldwide fame when they were turned into a 1965 film starring Michael Caine.
The adaptation is penned by BAFTA-winning Trainspotting writer John Hodge,...
- 12/15/2021
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
We loved James Bond but diehard ’60s spy fans hold a special admiration for Len Deighton’s ‘thinking man’s secret agent’ Harry Palmer. Viavision pulls off a slick trick by assembling the three top Michael Caine Harry Palmer pictures, each from a different studio, in a single deluxe gift box. Harry fights the Brain Drain, encounters criss-crossing conspiracies at the Berlin Wall, and witnesses a privatized invasion of the U.S.S.R., in The Ipcress File, Funeral in Berlin and Billion Dollar Brain, three great pictures by three very different directors. The presentations come with a glut of special edition extras.
The Harry Palmer Collection
All-Region Blu-ray
Viavision [Imprint] 75, 76, 77
1965-67 / Color / 2:35 widescreen / Street Date October 20, 2021 / Available from Amazon / 109.99
Starring: Michael Caine
From the novels by Len Deighton
Produced by Harry Saltzman
Directed by Sidney J. Furie, Guy Hamilton, Ken Russell
It didn’t seem possible that there...
The Harry Palmer Collection
All-Region Blu-ray
Viavision [Imprint] 75, 76, 77
1965-67 / Color / 2:35 widescreen / Street Date October 20, 2021 / Available from Amazon / 109.99
Starring: Michael Caine
From the novels by Len Deighton
Produced by Harry Saltzman
Directed by Sidney J. Furie, Guy Hamilton, Ken Russell
It didn’t seem possible that there...
- 11/13/2021
- by Glenn Erickson
- Trailers from Hell
ITV Drops First Look At ‘The Ipcress File’
ITV has offered the first look at The Ipcress File, its adaptation of Len Deighton’s spy novel, which inspired the 1965 Michael Caine film of the same name. Penned by BAFTA-winning Trainspotting writer John Hodge, the cast is led by Gangs Of London and Peaky Blinders star Joe Cole, alongside Bohemian Rhapsody actress Lucy Boynton, and The Night Manager’s Tom Hollander. The Ipcress File is the first major project housed at Will Clarke and Andy Mayson’s Altitude Television, a production arm of the British film and TV company Altitude Media Group. Filming is underway and other cast include Ashley Thomas (NYPD Blue), Joshua James (Industry), David Dencik (McMafia), and Tom Vaughan-Lawlor (Dublin Murders).
BBC Studios Inhales BBC Kids
BBC Studios has announced that BBC Children’s Production will become part of the commercial arm. The public service division is behind...
ITV has offered the first look at The Ipcress File, its adaptation of Len Deighton’s spy novel, which inspired the 1965 Michael Caine film of the same name. Penned by BAFTA-winning Trainspotting writer John Hodge, the cast is led by Gangs Of London and Peaky Blinders star Joe Cole, alongside Bohemian Rhapsody actress Lucy Boynton, and The Night Manager’s Tom Hollander. The Ipcress File is the first major project housed at Will Clarke and Andy Mayson’s Altitude Television, a production arm of the British film and TV company Altitude Media Group. Filming is underway and other cast include Ashley Thomas (NYPD Blue), Joshua James (Industry), David Dencik (McMafia), and Tom Vaughan-Lawlor (Dublin Murders).
BBC Studios Inhales BBC Kids
BBC Studios has announced that BBC Children’s Production will become part of the commercial arm. The public service division is behind...
- 3/10/2021
- by Jake Kanter
- Deadline Film + TV
After the coronavirus pandemic caused the cancellation of popular dating reality show “Love Island” last summer, the show is confirmed to return to U.K. broadcaster ITV for this summer season. The last season of “Love Island” that aired was a winter version filmed in South Africa.
ITV also revealed several scripted series that are in production. “The Thief, His Wife and The Canoe,” a four-part crime drama from “Unforgotten” writer Chris Lang, about how John Darwin faked his own death to claim his life insurance, is being produced by All3Media’s Story Films.
“The Ipcress File,” a six-part adaptation of Len Deighton’s renowned book starring Joe Cole as iconic spy Harry Palmer, Lucy Boynton and Tom Hollander is adapted for ITV by Oscar-nominated writer John Hodge and directed by Emmy award-winner James Watkins.
In “Stephen,” the three-part sequel to the single film “The Murder of Stephen Lawrence,” the cast includes Sharlene Whyte,...
ITV also revealed several scripted series that are in production. “The Thief, His Wife and The Canoe,” a four-part crime drama from “Unforgotten” writer Chris Lang, about how John Darwin faked his own death to claim his life insurance, is being produced by All3Media’s Story Films.
“The Ipcress File,” a six-part adaptation of Len Deighton’s renowned book starring Joe Cole as iconic spy Harry Palmer, Lucy Boynton and Tom Hollander is adapted for ITV by Oscar-nominated writer John Hodge and directed by Emmy award-winner James Watkins.
In “Stephen,” the three-part sequel to the single film “The Murder of Stephen Lawrence,” the cast includes Sharlene Whyte,...
- 3/4/2021
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Here’s a hot one: ITV is turning Len Deighton’s spy novel The Ipcress File, which inspired the 1965 Michael Caine film of the same name, into a television series — and the UK broadcaster has assembled a stellar on- and off-screen team to make the drama a reality.
The adaptation will be penned by BAFTA-winning Trainspotting writer John Hodge, while the cast will be led by Gangs Of London and Peaky Blinders star Joe Cole, alongside Bohemian Rhapsody actress Lucy Boynton, and The Night Manager’s Tom Hollander. The Crown and Rush producer Andrew Eaton will serve as an executive producer, while the six-part Berlin-set series will be helmed by McMafia and Black Mirror director James Watkins.
The Ipcress File is the first major project housed at Will Clarke and Andy Mayson’s Altitude Television, a production arm of the British film and TV company Altitude Media Group,...
The adaptation will be penned by BAFTA-winning Trainspotting writer John Hodge, while the cast will be led by Gangs Of London and Peaky Blinders star Joe Cole, alongside Bohemian Rhapsody actress Lucy Boynton, and The Night Manager’s Tom Hollander. The Crown and Rush producer Andrew Eaton will serve as an executive producer, while the six-part Berlin-set series will be helmed by McMafia and Black Mirror director James Watkins.
The Ipcress File is the first major project housed at Will Clarke and Andy Mayson’s Altitude Television, a production arm of the British film and TV company Altitude Media Group,...
- 12/10/2020
- by Jake Kanter
- Deadline Film + TV
It’s finally back on Blu in Region 1, the ‘sixties spy movie beloved by enthusiasts that yearned for something a bit more substantial & nutritious than James Bond. This first Harry Palmer adventure seems even more perfect than when it was thanks to a great espionage recipe and quality ingredients. Michael Caine is sensational as the anti-007, the feel of London streets is intoxicating, and John Barry’s music score is beyond praise. Are Sidney Furie’s directorial mannerisms too show-offy, too fussy? I only raise the question to defend him.
The Ipcress File
Blu-ray
Kl Studio Classics
1965 / Color / 2:35 widescreen / 109 min. / Street Date October 27, 2020 / available through Kino Lorber / 24.95
Starring: Michael Caine, Nigel Green, Guy Doleman, Sue Lloyd, Gordon Jackson, Aubrey Richards, Frank Gatliff, Thomas Baptiste, Oliver MacGreevy, Freda Bamford, David Glover, Mike Murray, Anthony Baird.
Cinematography: Otto Heller
Film Editor: Peter Hunt
Production Designer: Ken Adam
Original Music: John Barry
Written by W.H. Canaway,...
The Ipcress File
Blu-ray
Kl Studio Classics
1965 / Color / 2:35 widescreen / 109 min. / Street Date October 27, 2020 / available through Kino Lorber / 24.95
Starring: Michael Caine, Nigel Green, Guy Doleman, Sue Lloyd, Gordon Jackson, Aubrey Richards, Frank Gatliff, Thomas Baptiste, Oliver MacGreevy, Freda Bamford, David Glover, Mike Murray, Anthony Baird.
Cinematography: Otto Heller
Film Editor: Peter Hunt
Production Designer: Ken Adam
Original Music: John Barry
Written by W.H. Canaway,...
- 10/13/2020
- by Glenn Erickson
- Trailers from Hell
Myopic Harry Palmer, the great cook, lover and reluctant spy, returns to where his trouble with the British Army began. This time he’s tangled up in a political snarl that might have dire consequences: not only are the Russians involved, ex-Nazis are on the payroll. Israel may have an agent in the field, and not necessarily working in Her Majesty’s interest. Michael Caine’s star quality shines through in this second Harry Palmer spy yarn, filmed on German locations in high style by Guy Hamilton.
Funeral in Berlin
Blu-ray Disc
Paramount Pictures
1966 / Color / 2:35 widescreen / 102 min. / Street Date May 26, 2020 / 20.49
Starring: Michael Caine, Oskar Homolka, Paul Hubschmid, Eva Renzi, Guy Doleman.
Cinematography: Otto Heller
Film Editor: John Bloom
Production Designer: Ken Adam
Original Music: Konrad Elfers
Written by Evan Jones from the novel by Len Deighton
Produced by Charles D. Kasher & Harry Saltzman
Directed by Guy Hamilton
All three...
Funeral in Berlin
Blu-ray Disc
Paramount Pictures
1966 / Color / 2:35 widescreen / 102 min. / Street Date May 26, 2020 / 20.49
Starring: Michael Caine, Oskar Homolka, Paul Hubschmid, Eva Renzi, Guy Doleman.
Cinematography: Otto Heller
Film Editor: John Bloom
Production Designer: Ken Adam
Original Music: Konrad Elfers
Written by Evan Jones from the novel by Len Deighton
Produced by Charles D. Kasher & Harry Saltzman
Directed by Guy Hamilton
All three...
- 5/30/2020
- by Glenn Erickson
- Trailers from Hell
The Inspector Ghote series of Indian detective novels is heading for series treatment through Endemol Shine India.
The company has optioned the rights to the much-loved series of 25 novels written by journalist turned novelist H.R.F. Keating over a 45-year period. It intends to develop them as a multi-part returnable series. No details are yet available about the series’ development schedule, talent attachments or broadcast partners.
Dramatic rights were acquired by Endemol Shine India from broadcast agent James Carroll at U.K.-based Northbank Talent Management on behalf of Peter Buckman at The Ampersand Agency and the H.R.F. Keating Estate. Mumbai-based agency The Story Ink was the advisor on the deal for Endemol Shine India.
Introduced in 1964 novel “The Perfect Murder,” the books feature Ganesh V Ghote as a middle-aged, married inspector in the Mumbai police force. A dogged crimefighter who is often under-estimated by Bombay society, Ghote spends...
The company has optioned the rights to the much-loved series of 25 novels written by journalist turned novelist H.R.F. Keating over a 45-year period. It intends to develop them as a multi-part returnable series. No details are yet available about the series’ development schedule, talent attachments or broadcast partners.
Dramatic rights were acquired by Endemol Shine India from broadcast agent James Carroll at U.K.-based Northbank Talent Management on behalf of Peter Buckman at The Ampersand Agency and the H.R.F. Keating Estate. Mumbai-based agency The Story Ink was the advisor on the deal for Endemol Shine India.
Introduced in 1964 novel “The Perfect Murder,” the books feature Ganesh V Ghote as a middle-aged, married inspector in the Mumbai police force. A dogged crimefighter who is often under-estimated by Bombay society, Ghote spends...
- 5/13/2020
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
Constantin Television and Amazon Studios have revealed the lead cast – and have released the first photo of them on location – for their coproduction “We Children From Bahnhof Zoo.” The high-end series, inspired by the 1978 non-fiction book about teenage drug users in Berlin that was previously adapted as the shocking 1981 film “Christiane F.,” is being distributed internationally by Fremantle.
The series presents “a picture of the drugs and club scene in Berlin” that is “provocative” and “controversial,” according to a statement from the producers.
The Bahnhof Zoo clique at the heart of the show will be played by Jana McKinnon (Christiane), Michelangelo Fortuzzi (Benno), Lena Urzendowsky (Stella), Bruno Alexander (Michi), Jeremias Meyer (Axel) and Lea Drinda (Babsi).
As previously reported, Philipp Kadelbach is directing the eight-episode series. His credits include “Generation War,” about a group of young German friends going through World War II, BBC series “SS-gb,” based on Len Deighton’s novel,...
The series presents “a picture of the drugs and club scene in Berlin” that is “provocative” and “controversial,” according to a statement from the producers.
The Bahnhof Zoo clique at the heart of the show will be played by Jana McKinnon (Christiane), Michelangelo Fortuzzi (Benno), Lena Urzendowsky (Stella), Bruno Alexander (Michi), Jeremias Meyer (Axel) and Lea Drinda (Babsi).
As previously reported, Philipp Kadelbach is directing the eight-episode series. His credits include “Generation War,” about a group of young German friends going through World War II, BBC series “SS-gb,” based on Len Deighton’s novel,...
- 10/10/2019
- by Leo Barraclough
- Variety Film + TV
For best effect, please imagine the following lines spoken aloud by Sean Connery in his unmistakable Scottish brogue.
“So, there’s an army of robot sharks invading the Manhattan sewers, and James Bond has to explore these tunnels and defeat the sharks before they cause a full-scale holocaust. After this, Bond paraglides onto the Statue of Liberty – which is actually a super secret Spectre base – and there’s a pitched battle atop the crown, concluding with the villain being stabbed and his blood runs down Lady Liberty’s face as if she’s shedding a tear. Pretty cool, huh?”
These are all genuine events from James Bond of the Secret Service – a draft screenplay by Len Deighton, Kevin McLory and Sean Connery. It’s absolutely dreadful, too, sounding like Austin Powers 30 years before he was ever a glimmer in Mike Myers’ eye. I’ve been leafing through a draft of...
“So, there’s an army of robot sharks invading the Manhattan sewers, and James Bond has to explore these tunnels and defeat the sharks before they cause a full-scale holocaust. After this, Bond paraglides onto the Statue of Liberty – which is actually a super secret Spectre base – and there’s a pitched battle atop the crown, concluding with the villain being stabbed and his blood runs down Lady Liberty’s face as if she’s shedding a tear. Pretty cool, huh?”
These are all genuine events from James Bond of the Secret Service – a draft screenplay by Len Deighton, Kevin McLory and Sean Connery. It’s absolutely dreadful, too, sounding like Austin Powers 30 years before he was ever a glimmer in Mike Myers’ eye. I’ve been leafing through a draft of...
- 7/27/2018
- by David James
- We Got This Covered
Mark Harrison Jul 26, 2017
James Bond 25 will arrive in November 2019. Eon Productions still has much to consider...
This feature contains spoilers for Spectre.
It was announced this week that James Bond Will Return in November 2019, for the 25th movie in the series. After the box office reception and subsequent backlash against the previous film, 2015's Spectre, there has been much speculation about the next film taking on a radically different approach, from casting to storytelling.
The signs strongly point towards Daniel Craig reprising his role for a fifth time, according to a report in the Mirror earlier this month and a recent confirmation in the New York Times that his return was “a done deal”. Despite Craig's much repeated quote about slashing his wrists rather than returning, which the actor has since put down to being overtired by the junket schedule, it certainly looks like he's coming back for one last go.
James Bond 25 will arrive in November 2019. Eon Productions still has much to consider...
This feature contains spoilers for Spectre.
It was announced this week that James Bond Will Return in November 2019, for the 25th movie in the series. After the box office reception and subsequent backlash against the previous film, 2015's Spectre, there has been much speculation about the next film taking on a radically different approach, from casting to storytelling.
The signs strongly point towards Daniel Craig reprising his role for a fifth time, according to a report in the Mirror earlier this month and a recent confirmation in the New York Times that his return was “a done deal”. Despite Craig's much repeated quote about slashing his wrists rather than returning, which the actor has since put down to being overtired by the junket schedule, it certainly looks like he's coming back for one last go.
- 7/25/2017
- Den of Geek
For Bond fans wondering what might lure Daniel Craig back for “Bond 25,” it just might be the opportunity for 007 to metaphorically save the world from the Orwellian nightmare of Trump, Putin, Brexit, and WikiLeaks.
At least that’s the hope of long-time Bond scribes Neal Purvis and Robert Wade, who have been hired to write the script for “Bond 25.” They’ve been on every Bond film since “The World is Not Enough” (1999), and recently adapted Len Deighton’s alt-history mini-series, “SS-gb” (BBC One).
“Each time, you’ve got to say something about Bond’s place in the world, which is Britain’s place in the world,” Purvis told the Telegraph last month. “But things are moving so quickly now, that becomes tricky. With people like Trump, the Bond villain has become a reality.”
Meanwhile, Craig’s resistance has definitely softened after proclaiming on the “Spectre” press tour that...
At least that’s the hope of long-time Bond scribes Neal Purvis and Robert Wade, who have been hired to write the script for “Bond 25.” They’ve been on every Bond film since “The World is Not Enough” (1999), and recently adapted Len Deighton’s alt-history mini-series, “SS-gb” (BBC One).
“Each time, you’ve got to say something about Bond’s place in the world, which is Britain’s place in the world,” Purvis told the Telegraph last month. “But things are moving so quickly now, that becomes tricky. With people like Trump, the Bond villain has become a reality.”
Meanwhile, Craig’s resistance has definitely softened after proclaiming on the “Spectre” press tour that...
- 3/21/2017
- by Bill Desowitz
- Indiewire
Author: Zehra Phelan
According to the Daily Mail, Bond scriptwriters, Neal Purvis and Robert Wade have been approached yet again to pen the script for the next Bond outing which is yet to be given a title, and maybe a lead actor.
Related: All James Bond News
Official links to the duo, such as the writers agency Casarotto Ramsey and Associates or Eon productions (who produce the 007 films) , have not commented or confirmed on this story either way, so for the time being, this is all speculation for the six-time Bond writers. However with talks like this in the air it is a guarantee that the ball has started to roll on getting the Bond 25 up and running.
The work of Purvis and Wade, who wrote Spectre, Skyfall, Quantum of Solace and Casino Royale, can currently be seen in the form of SS-gb, a drama series based on the...
According to the Daily Mail, Bond scriptwriters, Neal Purvis and Robert Wade have been approached yet again to pen the script for the next Bond outing which is yet to be given a title, and maybe a lead actor.
Related: All James Bond News
Official links to the duo, such as the writers agency Casarotto Ramsey and Associates or Eon productions (who produce the 007 films) , have not commented or confirmed on this story either way, so for the time being, this is all speculation for the six-time Bond writers. However with talks like this in the air it is a guarantee that the ball has started to roll on getting the Bond 25 up and running.
The work of Purvis and Wade, who wrote Spectre, Skyfall, Quantum of Solace and Casino Royale, can currently be seen in the form of SS-gb, a drama series based on the...
- 3/10/2017
- by Zehra Phelan
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
As Carol Wilks noted, the film and TV director Ken Grieve invariably enjoyed a fine rapport with actors and crew. When a screenwriter for the 13-episode TV adaptation of Len Deighton’s Game, Set and Match (1988), I also loved working with Ken, his factual precision, instinct and sense of dramatic structure and timing always faultless. He was quiet and passionate, a great companion with a complex, generous soul.
And often hilarious. Part of the filming took place under the binoculars and guns of the East German Stasi and the Russian Kgb. On one research trip across the border, Ken neglected to remove a Granada TV pass from his top pocket – instantly clocked by the guards, who spent the rest of the evening trying to hinder our progress through East Berlin and make us miss curfew at Checkpoint Charlie, which could have legitimately led to detention and interrogation.
Continue reading...
And often hilarious. Part of the filming took place under the binoculars and guns of the East German Stasi and the Russian Kgb. On one research trip across the border, Ken neglected to remove a Granada TV pass from his top pocket – instantly clocked by the guards, who spent the rest of the evening trying to hinder our progress through East Berlin and make us miss curfew at Checkpoint Charlie, which could have legitimately led to detention and interrogation.
Continue reading...
- 2/24/2017
- by John Howlett
- The Guardian - Film News
Louisa Mellor Feb 26, 2017
Douglas Archer sinks further in to an impossible-to-exit situation in episode 2 of the BBC’s Len Deighton adaptation…
This review contains spoilers.
See related Guardians Of The Galaxy: new poster
SS-gb might be billed as an alt-history thriller, but we’re really watching a circus act: Sam Riley’s Superintendent Douglas Archer is a high wire walker, his every step risking a perilous fall to an almost certain death. Resistance to the left of him, Nazis to the right, here he is, stuck in the middle with you.
Episode two left Archer at a low ebb. We didn’t see just a flicker of emotion from the usually stony-faced detective in that last scene but a total collapse, and understandably so. Discovering the corpse of young Jimmy Dunn in the bombed-out house where his wife was killed broke through Douglas’ defences and revealed the turmoil beneath that careful,...
Douglas Archer sinks further in to an impossible-to-exit situation in episode 2 of the BBC’s Len Deighton adaptation…
This review contains spoilers.
See related Guardians Of The Galaxy: new poster
SS-gb might be billed as an alt-history thriller, but we’re really watching a circus act: Sam Riley’s Superintendent Douglas Archer is a high wire walker, his every step risking a perilous fall to an almost certain death. Resistance to the left of him, Nazis to the right, here he is, stuck in the middle with you.
Episode two left Archer at a low ebb. We didn’t see just a flicker of emotion from the usually stony-faced detective in that last scene but a total collapse, and understandably so. Discovering the corpse of young Jimmy Dunn in the bombed-out house where his wife was killed broke through Douglas’ defences and revealed the turmoil beneath that careful,...
- 2/23/2017
- Den of Geek
Louisa Mellor Feb 19, 2017
This new BBC Len Deighton adaptation SS-gb imagines an alternative 1941 in which Germany won the Battle of Britain…
This review contains spoilers.
See related Shane Black: a career retrospective Zack Snyder interview: Batman V Superman
Nuance and Nazis rarely go hand in hand. It's the skulls on the hats - they invite more shades of pantomime than subtlety. Mega successful Bond screenwriters Neal Purvis and Robert Wade don't miss an opportunity for Nazi or noir cliché in the first episode of SS-gb, their five-part adaptation of Len Deighton’s bestselling alt-history novel.
We’re introduced to high-ranking Nazi officer Standartenführer Huth (Lars Eidinger) overseeing an autopsy from the shadows. His subordinate Kellerman (Rainer Bock) has “the subtlety of a pig” he complains, before stubbing out his cigarette in a specimen dish and stalking off, black cane in leather-gloved hand, promising our hero “We are going to be busy,...
This new BBC Len Deighton adaptation SS-gb imagines an alternative 1941 in which Germany won the Battle of Britain…
This review contains spoilers.
See related Shane Black: a career retrospective Zack Snyder interview: Batman V Superman
Nuance and Nazis rarely go hand in hand. It's the skulls on the hats - they invite more shades of pantomime than subtlety. Mega successful Bond screenwriters Neal Purvis and Robert Wade don't miss an opportunity for Nazi or noir cliché in the first episode of SS-gb, their five-part adaptation of Len Deighton’s bestselling alt-history novel.
We’re introduced to high-ranking Nazi officer Standartenführer Huth (Lars Eidinger) overseeing an autopsy from the shadows. His subordinate Kellerman (Rainer Bock) has “the subtlety of a pig” he complains, before stubbing out his cigarette in a specimen dish and stalking off, black cane in leather-gloved hand, promising our hero “We are going to be busy,...
- 2/16/2017
- Den of Geek
The BBC’s five-part miniseries, adapted from Len Deighton’s novel, holds up handsomely on the big screen, favouring film noir style over pulp content
The alternative history genre is built on “what ifs?”. The 1931 essay collection If It Had Happened Otherwise contains one piece wondering how history might have been different had John Wilkes Booth’s gun had jammed, leaving Abraham Lincoln to enjoy a perfectly pleasant evening at the theatre; another essay, written by Winston Churchill, imagines the world following a Confederate triumph at Gettysburg. There also exists an entire subgenre conditional on an undesirable outcome to the second world war. Robert Harris’s Fatherland and Philip K Dick’s The Man in the High Castle have been filmed for television. Now Len Deighton’s SS-gb, which shows the Metropolitan police adopting a business-as-usual approach in London after Britain’s capitulation to Germany, has been turned into a...
The alternative history genre is built on “what ifs?”. The 1931 essay collection If It Had Happened Otherwise contains one piece wondering how history might have been different had John Wilkes Booth’s gun had jammed, leaving Abraham Lincoln to enjoy a perfectly pleasant evening at the theatre; another essay, written by Winston Churchill, imagines the world following a Confederate triumph at Gettysburg. There also exists an entire subgenre conditional on an undesirable outcome to the second world war. Robert Harris’s Fatherland and Philip K Dick’s The Man in the High Castle have been filmed for television. Now Len Deighton’s SS-gb, which shows the Metropolitan police adopting a business-as-usual approach in London after Britain’s capitulation to Germany, has been turned into a...
- 2/15/2017
- by Ryan Gilbey
- The Guardian - Film News
With our current political reality nothing short of a nightmare, alternate history might be a place worth escaping to, even if it’s no less harrowing. Fans have been watching Amazon to discover what a Nazi-ruled America might look like in “The Man In The High Castle,” and if you dig that premise, then “SS-gb” might be something worth keeping on your radar.
With the first two episodes set to debut at the Berlin Film Festival, a new trailer has arrived providing a peek at the miniseries that’s based on the book by spy master Len Deighton.
Continue reading Berlin: Trailer For ‘SS-gb’ Teases Show Perfect For Fans Of ‘Man In The High Castle’ at The Playlist.
With the first two episodes set to debut at the Berlin Film Festival, a new trailer has arrived providing a peek at the miniseries that’s based on the book by spy master Len Deighton.
Continue reading Berlin: Trailer For ‘SS-gb’ Teases Show Perfect For Fans Of ‘Man In The High Castle’ at The Playlist.
- 2/6/2017
- by Kevin Jagernauth
- The Playlist
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Get the feeling someone is looking over your shoulder? This quiz won’t help! This week we’re investigating the subtle (and not-so-subtle) art of spying in the movies.
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The plot of Hitchcock’s North by Northwest was suggested by this spy film.
The Man Who Never Was I Was Monty’s Double Odd Man Out Correct
Clifton Webb starred in Ronald Neame’s 1956 film...
0 of 9 questions completed
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Get the feeling someone is looking over your shoulder? This quiz won’t help! This week we’re investigating the subtle (and not-so-subtle) art of spying in the movies.
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The plot of Hitchcock’s North by Northwest was suggested by this spy film.
The Man Who Never Was I Was Monty’s Double Odd Man Out Correct
Clifton Webb starred in Ronald Neame’s 1956 film...
- 1/16/2017
- by TFH
- Trailers from Hell
My friend and colleague Ken Grieve, who has died aged 74, was a film and television director who worked on a range of drama series and plays including Dr Who, Strangers, Peak Practice, Casualty and The Bill, his career perhaps hitting a peak in 1988 with an adaptation of Len Deighton’s Game, Set and Match, starring Ian Holm.
Ken was born and brought up in Edinburgh, the son of Henry Grieve, a plant manager at British Aluminium, and his wife, Lesley, a seamstress. He attended the Edinburgh Academy, where he excelled in geography and history, and won a scholarship to Bryanston school in Dorset.
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Ken was born and brought up in Edinburgh, the son of Henry Grieve, a plant manager at British Aluminium, and his wife, Lesley, a seamstress. He attended the Edinburgh Academy, where he excelled in geography and history, and won a scholarship to Bryanston school in Dorset.
Continue reading...
- 12/29/2016
- by Carol Wilks
- The Guardian - Film News
The Weinstein Company has acquired the U.S. distribution television rights to the upcoming World War II alternate history thriller “SS-gb,” TheWrap has learned. The series is based on the novel of the same name by Len Deighton and has been adapted for television by James Bond screenwriters Neal Purvis and Robert Wade. It is set in a 1940s Nazi occupied London, at a time when the Battle of Britain is lost, Winston Churchill is dead, and King George is held prisoner by the SS. The series will follow Scotland Yard detective Douglas Archer (Sam Riley) as he investigates what appears to be a.
- 6/22/2016
- by Joe Otterson
- The Wrap
The Weinstein Company has acquired U.S. distribution TV rights to SS-gb, the upcoming alternate history thriller from UK-based production house Sid Gentle Films and the BBC, which will air the five-part miniseries in the UK. The project based on Len Deighton's 1978 novel was adapted by James Bond scribes Neal Purvis and Robert Wade and stars Sam Riley and Kate Bosworth. Jason Flemyng, James Cosmo, Aneurin Barnard, Maeve Dermody, Rainer Bock and Lars Eidinger co-star. The…...
- 6/22/2016
- Deadline TV
The Weinstein Company has acquired Us television rights to UK-based Sid Gentle Films’ upcoming alternate history thriller to star Sam Riley and Kate Bosworth.
SS-gb is based on Len Deighton’s 1978 novel of the same name and will air on BBC One in the UK.
James Bond screenwriters Neal Purvis and Robert Wade adapted the speculative story, which takes place in a London in the 1940s occupied by the Nazis as a detective stumbles upon a web of intrigue.
Jason Flemyng, James Cosmo, Aneurin Barnard and Maeve Dermody also star alongside German actors Rainer Bock and Lars Eidinger.
Germany’s Philipp Kadelbach directs and executive producers are Sid Gentle Films’ Sally Woodward Gentle and Lee Morris.
The miniseries marks the second partnership between the Weinsteins, BBC, Lookout Point, and Bbcww this year following War & Peace.
David Glasser, Negeen Yazdi, James Gold, Michal Podell Steinberg, and Talia Houminer negotiated the deal for TWC with Bbcww and Lookout Point.
SS-gb is based on Len Deighton’s 1978 novel of the same name and will air on BBC One in the UK.
James Bond screenwriters Neal Purvis and Robert Wade adapted the speculative story, which takes place in a London in the 1940s occupied by the Nazis as a detective stumbles upon a web of intrigue.
Jason Flemyng, James Cosmo, Aneurin Barnard and Maeve Dermody also star alongside German actors Rainer Bock and Lars Eidinger.
Germany’s Philipp Kadelbach directs and executive producers are Sid Gentle Films’ Sally Woodward Gentle and Lee Morris.
The miniseries marks the second partnership between the Weinsteins, BBC, Lookout Point, and Bbcww this year following War & Peace.
David Glasser, Negeen Yazdi, James Gold, Michal Podell Steinberg, and Talia Houminer negotiated the deal for TWC with Bbcww and Lookout Point.
- 6/22/2016
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
A pure-gold Savant favorite, Sir Richard Attenborough's first feature as director is a stylized pacifist epic of the insane tragedy of WW1, told through contemporary songs, with the irreverent lyrics given them by the soldiers themselves. And one will not want to miss a young Maggie Smith's music hall performance -- luring young conscripts to doom in the trenches. It's the strangest pacifist film ever, done in high style. Oh! What a Lovely War DVD The Warner Archive Collection 1969 / Color / 2:35 enhanced widescreen / 144 min. / Street Date September 22, 2015 / available through the WBshop / 16.99 Starring: Too many to name, see below. Cinematography Gerry Turpin Production Design Donald M. Ashton Art Direction Harry White Choreography Eleanor Fazan Film Editor Kevin Connor Original Music Alfred Ralston Written by Len Deighton from the musical play by Joan Littlewood from the radio play by Charles Chilton Produced by Richard Attenborough, Brian Duffy, Len Deighton Directed...
- 2/23/2016
- by Glenn Erickson
- Trailers from Hell
Sam Riley ("Maleficent," "Pride and Prejudice and Zombies") is in early talks to star in the "Ghost In The Shell" film adaptation at DreamWorks and Paramount.
Based on the bestselling Japanese anime and manga sci-fi franchise, Scarlett Johansson plays a female special ops cyborg who leads a fictional counter-cyberterrorist organization called Public Security Section 9 for Hanka Robotics.
The unit is devoted to stopping the most dangerous criminals and extremists, led by The Laughing Man (Riley) who will stop at nothing to destroy Hanka's advancements in cyber technology. Pilou Asbaek also stars.
Rupert Sanders is directing and Avi Arad and Steven Paul are producing from a script by Jonathan Herman. Riley is currently filming the film adaptation of Len Deighton's "SS:gb".
Source: Deadline...
Based on the bestselling Japanese anime and manga sci-fi franchise, Scarlett Johansson plays a female special ops cyborg who leads a fictional counter-cyberterrorist organization called Public Security Section 9 for Hanka Robotics.
The unit is devoted to stopping the most dangerous criminals and extremists, led by The Laughing Man (Riley) who will stop at nothing to destroy Hanka's advancements in cyber technology. Pilou Asbaek also stars.
Rupert Sanders is directing and Avi Arad and Steven Paul are producing from a script by Jonathan Herman. Riley is currently filming the film adaptation of Len Deighton's "SS:gb".
Source: Deadline...
- 11/19/2015
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
The Bond franchise which has been with us so long, has become so deeply entrenched in popular culture, that we often forget what it was that first distinguished the Bonds a half-century ago. Skyfall might be one of the best of the Bonds, and even, arguably, one of the best big-budget big-action flicks to come along in quite a while, but it’s not alone. The annual box office is – and has been, for quite some time – dominated by big, action-packed blockbusters of one sort of another. The Bonds aren’t even the only action-driven spy flicks (Mr. James Bond, I’d like you to meet Mr. Jason Bourne and Mr. Ethan Hunt).
That’s not to take anything away from the superb entertainment Skyfall is, or the sentimentally treasured place the Bonds hold. It’s only to say that where there was once just the one, there are now many.
That’s not to take anything away from the superb entertainment Skyfall is, or the sentimentally treasured place the Bonds hold. It’s only to say that where there was once just the one, there are now many.
- 10/26/2015
- by Bill Mesce
- SoundOnSight
Kate Bosworth is to star in new BBC drama 'SS-gb'. The 'Still Alice' actress and critically acclaimed British actor Sam Riley - who appeared alongside Angelina Jolie in 'Maleficent' - have been confirmed for the lead roles in the upcoming adaption of Len Deighton's novel of the same name. Kate said: ''I am thrilled and honoured to be a part of this incredible team, bringing an iconic novel to the screen.'' Neal Purvis and Robert Wade - who have penned five James Bond films including the highly-anticipated 'Spectre' - adapted the intriguing, alternate history tome set in Nazi-occupied London. The five part thriller is...
- 10/7/2015
- Virgin Media - TV
Kate Bosworth has joined Sam Riley in a new BBC thriller from the writers of Spectre.
The Superman Returns actress will play an American journalist named Barbara Barga in SS-gb, a five-parter from Spectre writers Neal Purvis and Robert Wade.
Jason Flemyng, James Cosmo, Aneurin Barnard, Maeve Dermody and Rainer Bock will also appear in the series, directed by Philipp Kadelbach.
Based on Len Deighton's alternate history novel of the same name, SS-gb takes place in Nazi-occupied London and follows British detective Douglas Archer (Riley) investigating a black market murder.
However, Archer finds himself dragged into a much darker and treacherous world, with extremely high stakes.
"Archer is a compelling and complex character," said Riley. "He is a good guy struggling to reconcile his job as a policeman within the repressive Nazi machine.
"Neal Purvis and Robert Wade have written a gripping screenplay that pays homage to Len Deighton's novel.
The Superman Returns actress will play an American journalist named Barbara Barga in SS-gb, a five-parter from Spectre writers Neal Purvis and Robert Wade.
Jason Flemyng, James Cosmo, Aneurin Barnard, Maeve Dermody and Rainer Bock will also appear in the series, directed by Philipp Kadelbach.
Based on Len Deighton's alternate history novel of the same name, SS-gb takes place in Nazi-occupied London and follows British detective Douglas Archer (Riley) investigating a black market murder.
However, Archer finds himself dragged into a much darker and treacherous world, with extremely high stakes.
"Archer is a compelling and complex character," said Riley. "He is a good guy struggling to reconcile his job as a policeman within the repressive Nazi machine.
"Neal Purvis and Robert Wade have written a gripping screenplay that pays homage to Len Deighton's novel.
- 10/7/2015
- Digital Spy
Exclusive: Kate Bosworth, who will next be seen opposite Robert De Niro in this fall’s action thriller Heist, has just been set to star in the new, period drama SS-gb for the BBC. The drama is likely to end up being a five-part limited series so the part is substantial. She will star in the role Barbara Barga alongside Sam Riley who is set lay the role of Archer. Based on the novel by Len Deighton and adapted by screenwriters Neal Purvis and Robert Wade, the story takes…...
- 9/30/2015
- Deadline
Sam Riley has signed on to star in a new BBC thriller from the writers of Skyfall.
Penned by Neal Purvis and Robert Wade, SS-gb will be based on Len Deighton's book of the same name, according to Radio Times.
Riley will lead as Douglas Archer, a detective superintendent investigating a murder.
The five-part miniseries is set in an alternate world where the United Kingdom is occupied by Germany during the Second World War.
Purvis and Wade said: "Len Deighton's SS-gb is a brilliant tale of espionage that dares to think the unthinkable, and we are very excited to be adapting it for television."
Riley has previously featured in Control, Brighton Rock, On the Road and Maleficent.
Penned by Neal Purvis and Robert Wade, SS-gb will be based on Len Deighton's book of the same name, according to Radio Times.
Riley will lead as Douglas Archer, a detective superintendent investigating a murder.
The five-part miniseries is set in an alternate world where the United Kingdom is occupied by Germany during the Second World War.
Purvis and Wade said: "Len Deighton's SS-gb is a brilliant tale of espionage that dares to think the unthinkable, and we are very excited to be adapting it for television."
Riley has previously featured in Control, Brighton Rock, On the Road and Maleficent.
- 9/30/2015
- Digital Spy
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