UK commercial broadcaster ITV has released the first teaser trailer for the new TV series of The Ipcress File, which will be broadcast in the UK in March (details for other locations to be confirmed).
While little of the plot is given away, it's clear that the series will make some significant departures from both the book and the 1964 original film starring Michael Caine, such as the more active agent role for Jean, played by Lucy Boynton, evidence of the backstory of the 'unnamed spy' - Harry Palmer - and his role in the Berlin black market which led to military prison and ultimately, the job with W.O.O.C.(P)., plus the sidebar story involving the nuclear test in the Pacific, which is a big part of the book but which was of course not featured in the original film.
The music, too, is very different to John Barry's original film score, which may be no bad thing; it certainly hints at a more obvious thriller tone to the TV series, and there are obvious hints at more visceral action scenes than was the case in the original film.
So, early encouraging signs perhaps that this isn't just a pastiche, by-the-numbers remake, but a serious attempt to retell this classic spy story.
But the proof of the pudding will be in the eating, or in this case, the viewing. Set your TV calendars for March.
Ooo - awesome. Can't wait.... though I might have to as I'm not in the UK.
ReplyDeleteIt has been picked up by AMC in the states and I think a number of other country broadcaster - though I imagine it will also appear on a streaming service somewhere.
DeleteI don't like TV series, but it's a good project, I think. I would have preferred a movie.
ReplyDeleteA Movie? It requires a producer who is able to get the funds, and needs to be assured that the money sent in the production is recoverable with atleast a modest profit. The producer needs to be assured of the audience when the movie is released and later distributed as the DVD. I do not see any producer coming forward, as the theme is decades old.
DeleteThe TV series will test the reception-which means the TV audience and the advertisement revenue. I wish the series luck, but I am sceptical. ITV is not the channel I knew in 1970s and 80s.
Lee Child (James Grant), the massively successful thriller novelist, is bringing his Jack Reacher series as Amazon movies, as he as a Brit, residing in the US though, knows well that the UK terrestrial TV channels have massively dropped their audience, and the Jack Reacher movies in Amazon are for his readers. Perhaps, this approach would have suited for this IPcress File release.
Hi, is Len Deighton OK with this new series? Has he given it his blessing? I'm obviously conscious of the GS&M situation.
ReplyDeleteI think so, I mean, he hasn't told me he's had any issues with it, when I've emailed him about it recently. However, as he's 93 now, he's not really had any involvement in it directly - he's left those things to his son Alexander and his agents. He will have obviously agreed to the rights being sold, but thereafter, I don't get the impression he has a view one way or the other. I suppose retirement really does mean retirement, in that sense.
DeleteI think so, I mean, he hasn't told me he's had any issues with it, when I've emailed him about it recently. However, as he's 93 now, he's not really had any involvement in it directly - he's left those things to his son Alexander and his agents. He will have obviously agreed to the rights being sold, but thereafter, I don't get the impression he has a view one way or the other. I suppose retirement really does mean retirement, in that sense.
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