The Cinematography of The Ipcress File

Vashi Nedomansky, ACE

29 Jan, 2014

In 1965, Sidney J. Furie directed the spy thriller The Ipcress File starring a young Michael Caine. Producer Harry Saltzman used the same core production team he employed on Dr. No (1962), From Russia with Love (1963) and Goldfinger (1964). Editor Peter Hunt, Production Designer Ken Adam and Composer John Barry gave this film a stylized, signature look and sound…one that was the antithesis of James Bond. Furie and Czechoslovakian cinematographer Otto Heller redefined their visual vocabulary by deciding to shoot as much of the film as possible through obstructions or foreground objects. They did this on 100 separate shots.

The dazzling cinematography of Otto Heller

In the past, a large foreground object usually meant it was the focus of the scene.

Furie and Heller made every foreground object a ‘framing device’ that actively composed the shot. This technique was used to both reveal specific story elements on screen and also to visually express the claustrophobic and unsettling tone of the film. What could have been a gimmick (if used once or twice) instead became a creative cinematic tool that was used 100 times during the film.

In the video below, I have compiled all 100 instances where the “frame within the frame” technique is used in The Ipcress File. Some are subtle and some are audacious. This style was considered so arrogant by Billy Wilder that he famously said “Furie couldn’t shoot a scene without framing it through a fireplace or the back of a refrigerator”. I think it is stunning, refreshing and effective.

THE IPCRESS FILE - 100 Cinematic Shots from Vashi Nedomansky ACE on Vimeo

Today it is second nature for any DP or director to shoot with something in the foreground to add depth to a shot. Today most filmmakers look to build a frame within a frame while they compose a shot. Back in 1965, Furie and Heller threw caution to the wind and utilized this technique as an integral part of the visual storytelling. The bold imagery of The Ipcress File is really spectacular and I recommend all filmmakers take the time to watch this cinematic masterpiece.

UPDATE: Listen to the film commentary to learn even more…

The Ipcress File (1965) - film commentary - YouTube

The Ipcress File (1965) - film commentary Vashi Nedomansky, ACE

A great interview with Len Deighton author of the novel is available HERE.

Until next time…
Vashi Nedomansky