60
Pic does not build up to the type of suspense usually demanded of such thrillers.
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What are people saying?
What are critics saying?
40
Village Voice by Andrew Sarris
The Ipcress File was reasonably entertaining while I was watching it, but after it was over I felt I'd been had... Among the tiresome directorial tricks in The Ipcress File is the repetitively off-angle anti-climax with the heavies feeding parking meters, hibernating in libraries, and plotting at band concerts. Nothing happens most of the time, and this is supposed to be funny and ironic.
100
Harry Palmer, charismatic but grounded in reality, is the perfect popular bridge between the spectacular escapades of Bond and the cold, harsh milieu of Deighton's embittered, betrayed spies.
70
The New York Times by Bosley Crowther
The Ipcress File is as classy a spy film as you could ask to see.
60
Los Angeles Times by Michael Wilmington
The film now seems less urbane and innovative, more coldly flashy and bluntly affected -- full of sound and Furie, signifying little. [2 June 1987, p.Cal-1]
80
The Guardian by Peter Bradshaw
Caine's star-quality and absolute ease in front of the camera are fully formed.