New Ipcress File SE for R2 (1 Viewer)

[John Hodson]

Specs now up at www.networkdvd.co.uk for their release of The Ipcress File, coming January, which has all the extras of the OOP Anchor Bay R1 and more. They say;

This version of the film is digitally remastered from a new 2.35:1 transfer. It also contains the following special features:

• The Ipcress File: Michael Caine Goes Stella
• New interview with legendary production designer Sir Ken Adam
• Candid Caine - a television documentary from 1969
• Sidney Furie/Peter Hunt commentary
• Theatrical trailer
• Stills Gallery

..and there's an SE box which also contains:

• Commemorative Booklet written by journalist Christopher Bray, author of Caine: A Class Act
• Len Deighton's original novel
• Soundtrack CD
• Film Poster Reproductions

BTW, Network is also saying: "A brand new print of The Ipcress File is being released in January in both a standard and special edition (which include the soundtrack CD and Len Deighton's original book) and is being supported by a limited theatrical release." Nice!

 

[stephen^wilson]

Excellent news.The cover of my region 1 disc was damaged long ago so i will be picking this up.I can only hope that the artwork on the region 2 disc is good.Some of those network dvd covers aren't to appealing!

 

[andrew markworthy]

Fantastic news. If they follow this up with a similar release of Funeral in Berlin then I'll be a happy bunny.

 

[Malcolm Cleugh]

I think this is unlikely. Network have rights to the Carlton (which Ipcress File is part of) catalogue.

Funeral in Berlin is a Paramount release in UK and I can't see them licensing to someone else.

 

[eric tengren]

I picked up the R2 german dvd of FUNERAL IN BERLIN from amazon germany {through caimen usa } and it was about 25.00 bucks american.if you are looking. anybody see billion dollar brain ? does it suck?

 

[David_Blackwell]

I love Billion Dollar Brain. Odd but fun film in the Harry Palmer series. I just hope Ipcress File and Funeral In Berlin get released on DVD again in the USA (both are currently OOP).

 

[Malcolm Cleugh]

You can import it slightly cheaper from the UK.
I got it last week from www.hmv.co.uk who have it for GBP 4.99 not sure what they are like for international shipping.
Is also on sale from Amazon.co.uk (direct from them rather than marketplace) for GBP 7.97 ship in 24 hours, which is suprising as in the UK Paramount have it as an HMV only exclusive release. So this may be the German import ? The disk has multiple European languages so is probably an pan European releae with only the sleeve changing.

 

[eric tengren]

the DVD of Funeral in berlin seems to be identical to the UK release but the title is FINALE IN BERLIN. IPCRESS is one of my favourite films. I actually bought an all region version that came free with your DAILY Mirror newspaper with LEAN'S A BRIEF ENCOUNTER. It is even in 2:35. Much obliged about the BILLION DOLLAR BRAIN.I am gonna pick this up. Also, I read that BBC showed continuing Harry Palmer stories where he is in Russia,anybody see these?

 

[Malcolm Cleugh]

Eric, the free DVD you are referring to was issued by the Mail on Sunday / Daily Mail, as I have it.
Was non anamoprhic widescreen being the first UK release in OAR, earlier Carlton releases (there were two just different packaging) were p/s 1.33
After this Carlton did actually release a vanilla 2.35 anamorphic DVD, but I held off buying hoping for a SE, which will finally happen.

 

[eric tengren]

I thought I was getting the full widescreen. so this dvd is cropped.man, I am looking forward to this SE of Ipcress so I can check it out, thanks for the info, Malcolm

 

[andrew markworthy]

I hate to strike a discordant note, but I think it sucks big time. I think it holds the same place in the Harry Palmer canon as Casino Royale (the David Niven version) holds in the James Bond series. I think the fact that it's directed by Ken Russell should also give you some warning.

 

[oscar_merkx]

never seen this one, read the trilogy though

cool

 

[andrew markworthy]

Agreed - though I thought they'd dated a bit when I tried to re-read them.

 

[David Lawrence]

Bullet to Beijing and Midnight in St. Petersburg - these two made-for-TV sequels generally get a rough ride from Palmer fans, but while they are obviously not in the same league as the first two films I can admit to having a soft spot in my heart for them. Bullet to Beijing is out on DVD in Canada, but I have no idea as to the disc's quality.

 

[John Hodson]

The full details, plus art and menus, of 'Ipcress' now at DVD Times:

Network have announced the UK Region 2 DVD release of The Ipcress File (Special Edition) for 16th January 2006 priced at £29.99. Double Oscar winner Michael Caine plays spectacle wearing, working-class spy Harry Palmer. He has a lack of respect for his superiors, he's a dab hand in the kitchen and he loves Mozart. Palmer is a former army sergeant working off a conviction for black market activities in Berlin. To avoid a court martial he agrees to work for a covert intelligence unit called WOOC (P). His assignment is to investigate a scientific brain drain and locate a missing doctor. But what is The Ipcress File and who can Palmer trust in this stylish, hard-boiled tale that catapulted Caine to international stardom.

Special features of The Ipcress File Special Edition package are:

Special packaging which incorporates a stylish slip case
New interview with Sir Michael Caine about his career and making The Ipcress File, filmed exclusively for this DVD (21:10mins)
New interview with legendary Oscar™-winning production designer Sir Ken Adam (Dr Strangelove, Barry Lyndon, The Spy Who Loved Me) about making The Ipcress File exclusively on this DVD (10:31mins)
Sixties documentary Candid Caine, featuring Sir Michael Caine talking frankly about his career in 1969 (44:20mins)
Digitally remastered movie in the original 2.35:1 aspect ratio
Introductory booklet written by journalist Christopher Bray, author of Caine: A Class Act
Commentary with director Sidney Furie and film editor Peter Hunt
“The Ipcress File – Michael Caine Goes Stella” exclusive comedy sketch with Phil Cornwell as Michael Caine (4:58mins)
Separate soundtrack CD with music by composer John Barry OBE
A copy of the original Len Deighton novel
Stills gallery (13:29mins)
A3 dual sided Ipcress File movie poster designs
Original US radio commercials
Original theatrical trailer

A standard edition of the DVD will also be available RRP £15.99. It will contain all features as listed above excluding the John Barry Soundtrack CD, the Len Deighton novel, the introductory booklet and the movie posters.

 

[Malcolm Cleugh]

DVD Times have a review up for this.
http://www.dvdtimes.co.uk/content.php?contentid=59882

Disappointingly the PQ seems no better than the previous Carlton vanilla anamorphic release (this was their 3rd attempt, 1st was p/s and 2nd letterboxed w/s)

Also look of film is stylistically different to the R1 from Anchor Bay, so for those in R1 the reason to upgrade may be limited to the 2nd disk of extras, although I think the AB is now OOP and goes for silly money if you have not got it already.

 

[David_Blackwell]

I hope Paramount releases the SE in R1 (and get a re-release of Funeral In Berlin out). Those extras sound sweet.

 

[andrew markworthy]

Got it, seen it. The picture and sound quality are, as has been said, not all that much to write home about (though I think the slightly run-down look suits the mood of the movie very well). However, the extras are excellent.

 

[John Hodson]

Havinng watched this now, and having owned the R1 (but no previous Carlton disc), I'd day that it's a superior transfer to Anchor Bay's - better colours, sharper, every bit as clean if not cleaner.

I was a little worried, but I'm very pleased, and yes, the extras make the purchase all the more worthwhile (nice SE packaging too...)

 

[Richard--W]

Any hope for a region 1 release of this special edition?