Page "Harry Palmer" Paragraph 18

The IPCRESS File novel came out just after the release of the first James Bond film Dr. No ( 1962 ).

When the novel sold well, Eon producers Harry Saltzman and Albert Broccoli approached Deighton to write the script for the next 007 film, From Russia With Love ( 1963 ); despite Deighton's efforts, little of his screenplay was filmed.

Saltzman instead decided to use The IPCRESS File and its sequels as the beginning of a new secret agent movie series.

Unlike the Bond films, The IPCRESS File was designed to have a different, more down-beat style, although Saltzman employed many Bond movie staff, including production designer Ken Adam, editor Peter Hunt, and composer John Barry.

Michael Caine was chosen to play the lead.