(That was me phonetically spelling out my Michael Caine imitation...I know it's not as good as Steve Coogan's and needs some work).
Seriously though...I LOVE the Harry Palmer films (I know he did one more in the 80's but it wasn't produced by Harry Saltzman and I've never seen it). Speaking of Saltzman it's hard to imagine that he was producing these right in the middle of the James Bond craze while also co-producing the classic Connery run of those films! Hats off for that accomplishment!
These three covers also represent the changing times and movie advertising scene of the 1960's in a nutshell. Each of them is great in it's very own manner...AND as an added bonus the scores aren't too shabby either...BUT one of them, without a doubt happens to be a classic!
@ 'Anonymous' - sorry. comments that do not have a name attached will no longer be left up on this blog.
@ Naresh - you're right! it does...the last film got a little more far-fetched (for it's time)...BUT by today's standards; megalomaniacal billionaires trying to instill their vision of how the world should be at all costs? hmmm sounds just about right!
I've seen the two newer Harry Palmers and they are pretty ropey made-for-tv/straight to video filler. It's always good to see the old cockney in anything though :)
Thanks for the info 'Agent' THXjay! It's always great to see you popping in here at 'The Pad' (if I remember correctly you came up with the name for the place!)...Hope all is well in your neck of the woods.
I have all 3 Harry Palmer soundtracks (courtesy of our mutual 'secret agent' friend THXJay) and the DVD's. The first 2 Palmer films are really hard to come by, a person's gotta be resourceful to get a copy. Deep pockets don't hurt, either...
After watching the Harry Palmer trilogy (and other quality films depicting the Cold War era) and comparing them to the Bond franchise, James Bond seems like a cartoon (in my opinion).
While I don't mean to offend THXJay, who's website and James Bond offerings I have really enjoyed in the past, the Harry Palmer plot lines were more reality-based v. the exciting eye candy of the James Bond films.
Seriously, what man never dreamed of living a Bond-lifestyle while cruising in an Aston-Martin with all the bells & whistles and a Playmate in the passenger seat?
Michael Caine nails the boredom and frustration of his everyman character while Bond is a non-stop rollercoaster.
Quiller's good too, but I really feel the producers goofed in casting George Segal as the lead. Probably a main reason there was never a sequel...
Sorry, didn't mean to leave an entire film review. I'm just a big fan of the original Palmer series, (the first 3 films).
@ Muff Diver - Please...no apology necessary! Your 'review'/observation was (is) pretty spot on. (I'm also pretty sure THXjay would agree and NOT take any offense at your observations.)
Just out of curiosity have you seen last year's version of 'Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy'? I really REALLY recommend it! It's a British acting tour de force.
Plus one last observation: I recently saw the latest Batman film and was fairly entertained...but the one thought I couldn't get out of my head? It's a freakin' American James Bond flic wrapped up as a 'super hero comic book' movie. Man-oh-man does Christopher Nolan want to direct a Bond film or what!? (as he has so aptly stated in the past.)
Lp rips @320 w/ART!
ReplyDeleteIPCRESS:
http://www.mediafire.com/?78xtndjrs22th7e
BERLIN:
http://www.mediafire.com/?d5zpoyk2vpct9at
BRAIN:
http://www.mediafire.com/?ptnlthnmve4b238
M i c h a e l. Caine. IS. A grate-ak-tour.
(That was me phonetically spelling out my Michael Caine imitation...I know it's not as good as Steve Coogan's and needs some work).
Seriously though...I LOVE the Harry Palmer films (I know he did one more in the 80's but it wasn't produced by Harry Saltzman and I've never seen it). Speaking of Saltzman it's hard to imagine that he was producing these right in the middle of the James Bond craze while also co-producing the classic Connery run of those films! Hats off for that accomplishment!
These three covers also represent the changing times and movie advertising scene of the 1960's in a nutshell. Each of them is great in it's very own manner...AND as an added bonus the scores aren't too shabby either...BUT one of them, without a doubt happens to be a classic!
Thanks, Rocket. I have only seen the first Palmer film. Intelligent on all counts. The pacing reminds me of Alec Guinness' Tinker, Tailor.
ReplyDelete@ 'Anonymous' - sorry. comments that do not have a name attached will no longer be left up on this blog.
ReplyDelete@ Naresh - you're right! it does...the last film got a little more far-fetched (for it's time)...BUT by today's standards; megalomaniacal billionaires trying to instill their vision of how the world should be at all costs? hmmm sounds just about right!
Thanks Rocket!
ReplyDeleteThree great movies. Thanks again Rocket.
ReplyDeleteBob
Thanks for this trilogy Rocket :)
ReplyDeleteI've seen the two newer Harry Palmers and they are pretty ropey made-for-tv/straight to video filler. It's always good to see the old cockney in anything though :)
....in case you were wondering!
ReplyDeleteBullet to Beijing (1995)
Midnight in Saint Petersburg (1996)
A better film of the same era, though not Harry Palmer was Blue Ice
Thanks for the info 'Agent' THXjay! It's always great to see you popping in here at 'The Pad' (if I remember correctly you came up with the name for the place!)...Hope all is well in your neck of the woods.
ReplyDeleteBe seeing you.
I have all 3 Harry Palmer soundtracks (courtesy of our mutual 'secret agent' friend THXJay) and the DVD's. The first 2 Palmer films are really hard to come by, a person's gotta be resourceful to get a copy. Deep pockets don't hurt, either...
ReplyDeleteAfter watching the Harry Palmer trilogy (and other quality films depicting the Cold War era) and comparing them to the Bond franchise, James Bond seems like a cartoon (in my opinion).
While I don't mean to offend THXJay, who's website and James Bond offerings I have really enjoyed in the past, the Harry Palmer plot lines were more reality-based v. the exciting eye candy of the James Bond films.
Seriously, what man never dreamed of living a Bond-lifestyle while cruising in an Aston-Martin with all the bells & whistles and a Playmate in the passenger seat?
Michael Caine nails the boredom and frustration of his everyman character while Bond is a non-stop rollercoaster.
Quiller's good too, but I really feel the producers goofed in casting George Segal as the lead. Probably a main reason there was never a sequel...
Sorry, didn't mean to leave an entire film review. I'm just a big fan of the original Palmer series, (the first 3 films).
I love this blog site, keep it up!
btw MD - check what you asked for to be re-upped...Happy Chop Socky Halloween!
Delete@ Muff Diver - Please...no apology necessary! Your 'review'/observation was (is) pretty spot on. (I'm also pretty sure THXjay would agree and NOT take any offense at your observations.)
ReplyDeleteJust out of curiosity have you seen last year's version of 'Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy'? I really REALLY recommend it! It's a British acting tour de force.
Plus one last observation: I recently saw the latest Batman film and was fairly entertained...but the one thought I couldn't get out of my head? It's a freakin' American James Bond flic wrapped up as a 'super hero comic book' movie. Man-oh-man does Christopher Nolan want to direct a Bond film or what!? (as he has so aptly stated in the past.)