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Billion Dollar Brain
 
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Billion Dollar Brain

Michael Caine (Actor), Karl Malden (Actor), Ken Russell (Director) | Rated: NR (Not Rated) | Format: DVD
4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)

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4.0 out of 5 stars (3 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars FINALLY! The trilogy is complete!, Oct 4 2005
By 
This review is from: Billion Dollar Brain (DVD)
After years of remaining in video limbo, the last of the "Harry Palmer" trilogy comes to DVD. Following The Ipcress File ( the best of the series )and Funeral In Berlin ( there was 2 made for TV films, but we won't count those here )and produced by Harry Saltzman ( co-producer of the 007 series with Cubby Broccoli )presented Michael Caine as a more realistic spy battling Ed Begley's Gen. Midwinter as he plans on starting WW III with Russia.
Brain was by far the strangest of the three films with a somewhat surreal feel to it, do in large part to eccentric director Ken Russell. Many Russell fans will dismiss Brain as not being "true Russellesque", but there is enough to hint at what was to come later.
Many viewers might wonder if the film is more black comedy than thriller, this is do to a somewhat over-the-top performance by Ed Begley as General Midwinter.
The DVD has a rather good widescreen picture on 1 side and a pan & scan on the other ( on my copy the side labels were mixed up )unfortunately, due to music rights issues, the brief "Beatles Hard Days Night" song sequence has been removed, roughly 10 to 15 seconds. There is no trailer for the movie, but trailers for several unrelated films.
While not the best of the series,the film has good location work in Helsinki and a moody score by Richard Rodney Bennett, it's nice to finally have the final Harry Palmer film on DVD.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars Our man Flint, Harry Palmer style, Jan 1 2008
By 
bernie "webviator" (Arlington, Texas) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)   
This review is from: Billion Dollar Brain (DVD)
This story is not quite "The Ipcress File" (1965) but it has its moments. The catsup, oops blood in those days was considerable thicker.

We have Harry (Michael Caine) once again being recruited by Colonel Ross (Guy Doleman), with a promotion and a 300£ annual raise. But he has other ideas and soon opportunities to take part in a great political movement. Where there is chaos there is profit. And as usual you can not tell the good guys from the bad or the idiots.

The actors as they are introduces in the story are an added plus. The Russian Colonel Stok, Oscar Homolka earlier played Dr. Prokosch in "Boys' Night Out" (1962). Who can look at Karl Malden and not think of "The Streets of San Francisco" (TV series) - Detective Lt. Mike Stone (120 episodes, 1972-1977). Of course we can not leave out Ed Begley best known for the cult classic Wild in the Streets (1968).

The movie is fast paced. And somehow in all the noise and bad tempers Harry Palmer keeps his cool and is the voice of reason. So does he get his raise?
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4.0 out of 5 stars A spy movie the Ken Russell way, May 26 2011
By 
Omnes - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)   
This review is from: Billion Dollar Brain (DVD)
As a mainstream movie Ken Russell did for the general public, this spy movie is quite a pleasant treat. Although the script drags a bit in the middle, when the character is in Russia and where I think it could have been shortened (ex: scene in the train with the Russian women), Ken Russell gives a mysterious atmosphere in this movie.

Filled with symbolism, great use of music (ex; Sibelius), and paintings, Ken Russell gives some good tension and suspense in his scenes. Why, instead of overfilling some with dialogues, he simply lets the music and the character's acting do the talking (ex: when Harry and Leo Newbigen find out the identity of the spy they have to kill). As for his camerawork, it enriches the action of certain scenes (ex: the fight between Harry and Anya) and also shows techniques that really precede the birth of the steadycam.

Also, one of Ken Russell's greatest strengths is that he knows how to direct his actors and get great acting out of them. As such, I have to say that I was very impressed by Francoise Dorleac, whose performance was just marvellous and was another proof that Ken Russell's women characters are strong and very independent. It's very sad to think that this movie was one of the last performances Francoise gave before her death. What would have happened if she had never had that horrible car accident?

In the end, this movie, although not one of his most personal projects, is a treat for Ken Russell fans and for moviegoers that may wish to see a spy movie not overkilled with computer visuals.
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