Billion Dollar Brain

Michael Caine's 3 movies starring as Harry Palmer in the 1960's were just as much fun as the James Bond series. Caine exuded a certain twinkling charisma every bit as captivating as Sean Connery's Bond. Billion Dollar Brain was the last of the 3 pictures for Caine as Palmer following Funeral In Berlin and The Ipcress File. Palmer is directed by Colonel Ross (wonderfully played by Guy Doleman) to infiltrate a plot to snuff out the Russians, being mounted by Texas caricature General Midwinter played by Ed Begley. The thing with all of the Harry Palmer movies is that not just Guy Doleman gives a wonderful performance but all of the principals do including Oskar Homolka as the Russian who has befriended "English" (his pet name for Palmer), Karl Malden as not so friendly Leo and the "twice-crossing" femme fatale Anya played by Francois Dorleac in her last film role. You might want to switch on the English Subtitles this DVD helpfully provides once Francois arrives on the scene with her heavy French accent: "you want my fingerpwints?" .. "my name isn't dully!" (when Palmer addresses her as dolly) or when Leo tells Palmer to meet him at Eiwort's. The Finland locations for this movie always hold the interest and you have to love the famous green trams of Helsinki. After watching BDB, go to "Film locations Billion Dollar Brain-Harry Palmer" for amazing now and then photo's.    9/17/10