The Ipcress File (TV Mini Series) Episode #1.6 (2022) User Reviews

Rushed

[TondaCoolwal · 7/10 · 13 April 2022]

Well it's the final episode so you know everthing will be resolved but, the way stuff is piled on makes it feel like you're shopping in a supermarket five minutes before closing time! At times it seems as if the writers got a bit desperate and felt they had to create a labyrinthine plot just because it is a spy story. The introduction of new elements at such a late stage in a mystery drama is usually regarded as cheating.

Palmer is holed up in a scuzzy caravan with a fragmented memory. Maddox continues to try to persuade Jean to join the CIA and tells her he is an infiltrator into a group of highly-placed men who want to see the back of JFK. Or is he? Utilising off-the-peg henchman Housemartin, he kidnaps Harry but turns him over to Jean. Harry is confused. He knows he's undergone brainwashing by the IPCRESS method, but doesn't know why, although bits surface from time to time. Something to do with a hidden gun. Dalby finds out he has been set up by Polina but she buys her freedom with a revelation which shows it is not always the Russians you have to worry about. The final showdown involving Palmer and JFK could have rewritten history and we would all now be remembering where we were in June instead of November 1963, without a grassy knoll in sight!

I rather enjoyed that.

[Sleepin_Dragon · 8/10 · 22 June 2022]

Harry is desperate to learn what memories are buried deep in his subconscious, Dalby has to decide whether to put country or love first.

It's an exciting final episode, I'm not too sure as to how faithful it was, but in terms of it being action packed, fast paced telly, I would argue that it succeeded.

We get to learn exactly what IPCRESS is, how it was to be used, and those behind the daring plot, perhaps easier to follow than the film, which doesn't perhaps give you so much content.

Harry is somewhat downgraded I would suggest, Jean comes across as perhaps a stronger character.

I hope more Harry Palmer stories are told, this was a fine end to The IPCRESS File.

8/10.

The good guys win, all's right with the world

[bosporan · 7/10 · 25 March 2022]

Everything collapses neatly into one lovely whole. Nice ending with the baddies boxed in and the good guys ready to go again. The series started with very high standards, the back end has been a little more prosaic.

Contempt

[xmasdaybaby1966 · 8/10 · 1 April 2022]

I just bingewatched the the series which may not be the right thing to do and, in true 60s film fashion, I have no idea what was going on.

It's a show which makes you think and, in these modern times, I wonder how many of those reality show-loving TV fans will take the time to watch it.

Like the recent Trigger Point show which was in this time slot it may be a damp squib especially with Peak Blinders on the other side.

Stylish and slick and open to another series but, in these times of international cooperation for shows, will Croatia help out again?

Episode 6

[Prismark10 · 6/10 · 11 April 2022]

By the final episode it was clear that this overlong serial had departed a lot from the movie version.

It begs the question, if you were going to differ from the movie. Why did you make your lead character look like Michael Caine?

Dalby is under pressure and it looks like his department could be wound up.

Harry Palmer has escaped but might still remain brainwashed.

All suspicions point to the Americans as the ringmasters. Dalby gets a lead on a traitor.

In its own terms that final episode worked well but was also bland. The inspiration for the finale seemed to be more Frederick Forsyth rather than Len Deighton.

It was going reasonably well...

[richard-35506 · 4/10 · 12 April 2022]

The early episodes were a solid 7.5 but by the final episode the plot fell apart and it descended into the realm of the ludicrous.

Too bad, good characters and good period touches but I am sure Len Deighton would be dismayed.

Shocking

[studioAT · 1/10 · 5 April 2022]

Overblown, over-long, over stretched and over hyped.

Just a standard ITV drama then really, isn't it?

Laughably bad, other than Lucy Boynton's solid performance.