John Barry - The Ipcress File (theme)

Very cool theme for a very cool film. John Barry 1933-2011.

[@ulliantosch7605]

John Barry, a musical genius and also a Yorkshire man, what more could anyone ask for

[@The_Stoic_PhilosopherAU]

Zulu theme song by him is my favourite piece

[@brucekilby9957]

Barry always wrote the perfect music for the right movie. RIP John. The Last Valley is another fine piece by Barry another Caine movie.🇬🇧

[@davidchamberlain5425]

John Barry's father was Irish👍👍👍👍

[@tricklevent]

i didnt know he was from yorkshire ,,,,, he was good, but being from lancashire i could never tell anyone that......

[@alimantado373]

@@The_Stoic_PhilosopherAU LOL not his library of work but 1 film GTFOH! stoic blind amateur

[@hektor_schmidt]

He really was among the greatest composers ever.

[@g7vak]

Very good film, good acting and shots of 1960s London. All gone now. One of its kind and never repeated. The music reflects the slow change and the shabbyness of Palmer's trade.

[@lecitadin69]

One, if not THE best spy thriller theme of all times. And an good movie, with Michael Caine at his best. Damn!

[@Dioxinpie]

+lecitadin69 You nailed it

[@walkerlyons3148]

one the best spy/neo noir films starring the always Cool Michael Caine

[@mischlingbeerandcigarman]

Cannot argue with that

[@joeonthecoast3586]

It's Barry doing his beautiful trick of slow burn majesty. It's a slow key swing that presents itself as the harpsichord/piano strikes it's us-fussed and un-busy theme whilst the flutes respond in part. It's so uncluttered and so undemanding, yet so atmosheric and unyielding in its draw to the ear. Just another piece of work that this great man did that surely measures him as the finest British TV & Film score composer of the 20th Century. John Barry, what a class act.

[@ulrich-wilhelmpieper4681]

Dulcimer, not harpsichord

[@joeonthecoast3586]

Ulrich-Wilhelm Pieper I was struggling to identify that. My hat off to you.

[@commandingnationsintl7792]

You said "slow burn". Ha...

[@jay55also]

If you're a British spy,you got to have John Barry music to really make you look cool.

[@jimmymackinnon715]

never be another john barry,etheral music at its best,john was the greatest!!!.R I P

[@pelicanflashdance]

In the past 4 minutes I was transported back in time to 1960s London

[@waynealexander1615]

We will never have a composer like Barry again. He was brilliant. We miss your movie music John. You're with Henry, Bernard, Miklos and the other great film composers of 20th century film music.

[@briane5706]

waynealexander1 Not forgetting Enrico Morricone!

[@josetirado3680]

Not forgetting Erich Wolfgang Korngold, Franz Waxman

[@KutWrite]

Bernard Herrman, Max Steiner, various Bernsteins, Lionel Newman, James Horner, Tangerine Dream, and of course, Jerry Goldsmith.

[@philburrows6036]

Basil Poledouris and David Shire also need a mention

[@josetirado3680]

@@briane5706 Ennio Morricone

[@199422adam]

If you didn't know this film just by listening to this piece of music you have a good idea of the genre. Splendid film and score.

[@stevo309]

I'm literally just about to watch this for the bazillionth time, my favourite movie ever.

[@PurushaDesa]

stevo309 What a breakfast! 🍳

[@altoonaibis]

One of my favorite theme songs for any espionage movie. Mysterious and full of suspense. It really projects the elements of the cold war.

[@Retroscoop]

Iconic 1960's theme from an iconic and top notch 1960's Cold War spy movie. The best of both worlds.

[@Glamagal20091]

A great theme, and a great film. I watched it on BBC Four a week or so ago. Brilliant performances by Guy Doleman and Nigel Green.

[@conundrum62]

I have to agree, Guy Doleman and Nigel Green almost steal the movie from under Micheal Caine's nose. They are the British establishment writ large. Sadly both actors, never quite got the recognition that they deserved, and Greens end was sad, an 'accidental overdose' while suffering from depression.

[@2msvalkyrie529]

Guy Doleman was a Kiwi ! ! From a time when UK and NZ had very close ties .. Now almost gone alas !

[@joeoconnor5400]

Ipcress File way better than any of the James Bond films of the 60's.

[@bernadettemurray8260]

More realistic

[@s4ndwichMakeR]

I listen to this track everytime I grind my coffee beans.

[@craigey1289]

s4ndwichMakeR lmao....l do the same.

[@darrylschultz9311]

s4ndwichMakeR Me too-except it's not my coffee beans it's my teeth... (only joking,good & spooky track).

[@buffalopatriot]

Lol. I hope it's a grinder manufactured by Charles D. Kasher.

[@Sennmut]

What kind of mushrooms do you get???? ;)

[@ryangarritty9761]

Sounds rather painful.

[@vikinghex]

when I play john barry I donot know when to stop nights fly by god how I miss him .glad he made so much fabulous music genius.

[@IanP1963]

+roy john Absolutely correct - JB is defo missed !!!!!

[@slipperyjk]

This is one of those nights!

[@oolongoolong789]

One of John Barry's best.

[@Markofsatan]

His themes are such a part of my youth. RIP John.

[@jajones-ford2226]

John Barry the MASTER of film soundtrack music ! THE IPCRESS FILE one of his BEST scores !

[@gecko36a]

WHAT A FILM THEME DOES IT GET ANY BETTER .

[@ironing23]

He was brilliant. Never understood why he was not given a knighthood.

[@commandingnationsintl7792]

When you're the king you have no need for knighthoods.

[@rpm1796]

@@commandingnationsintl7792 Touche' Cmdr.

[@stevesculptor1]

John Barry OBE

[@Strangways]

Recognize strains of 007 in Barry's composition? Only to a degree and on purpose. Barry recognized that the character of Palmer wasn't a glamorous double O but rather a British civil servant called upon to do the dirty jobs HMSS would never admit to. The Barry connection was no accident to Bond. Harry Saltzman and Cubby Broccoli were also the producers of the Palmer series as well as the Bond franchise. Outstanding music, superb suspense and the mystique of England in the 60's.

[@spockboy]

Excellent points. Bond Production Designer Ken Adam also worked on this.

[@MrDavey2010]

Correction - only Saltzman was the producer of the Harry Palmer movies. Not Broccoli.

[@BegoneJonah]

Hey, John Barry OWNED spy music in the 1960s.

[@longwlenguyen4214]

And more of a brutal nihilistic, realistic takes on the British spy genre, show us that James Bond were have been someone that every single "real" British spy would have wanted but instead their life are much closer to Sterling Archer from Archer tv show or The Ipcress file.

[@raypurchase801]

@@longwlenguyen4214 "Danger zone!"

[@juanaltredo2974]

Barry's music added a patina of elegance and sophistication to any film

[@Londonfogey]

The bit where Michael Caine comes out of the back of that ambulance holding a Sterling gun is quite possibly the coolest entrance in spy movie history.

[@johnosborn2555]

Have a look at US Army "DET-A" Berlin, if this is your kind of thing.

[@mauricioduron3193]

This was the time when we began to realise that there practically was no subject matter that Mr. Barry could not deal with.

[@Toolpusher]

One of the best spy films yet made, paired with, as you say, a nigh-on peerless soundtrack. Superb. In fact, I may treat myself to the latest Blu Ray version of Ipcress....

[@terrancebigham6765]

Barry used a cimbalom here, the Hungarian hammered dulcimer. Miklos Rozsa used it for the chilling theme to "The Power" (his last score for MGM ,btw).

[@BegoneJonah]

John Barry OWNED spy music in the Sixties.

[@jafwilding]

Yes, he was one of The Ownerz. That's sure Peace of Mind.

[@DryNox]

Wes Clark how many composers of spy music in the Sixties do you know?

[@BegoneJonah]

DryNox Well, Sol Kaplan wrote a nice piano theme (Chopin lite) for "The Spy Who Came In From the Cold," and Jerry Goldsmith's score for "Our Man Flint" is good, too. And there's the famous "Mission: Impossible" theme by Lalo Schifrin. I recalled those without google, thank you very much. But in my opinion nobody wrote spy music as dramatic as John Barry's. He was the best.

[@malthuswasright]

+Wes Clark And of course Monty Norman wrote the Bond theme...

[@Toolpusher]

Compare this to the cringe-worthy opening theme for the last Bond; "Spectre". That was like nails on a blackboard.... Decent movie, mostly forgettable soundtrack.

[@RonaldCharlesEpstein]

A great theme song for an intelligent spy film.

[@EelingStudios]

I can't atop playing this wonderful theme,, what a talent John Barry had and what superb listening he's given us to enioy forever. The film wouldn't be so good with out it...thanks John, very much...

[@dipojones]

John Barry is the greatest composer of all time.

[@vittoriomoscato4089]

Guarda che c’è a che un signore che di nome fa MORRICONE…….con questo nulla tolgo al grande BARRY, immenso compositore anche egli.

[@peterbonk4670]

😊 can't argue with you one of my favorite. But I think he's tied with Eno morricone. All the spaghetti western music good bad and ugly biggest hit from him was from this movie was called Ecstasy of gold. Even Metallica to cover the song

[@peterbonk4670]

​@@vittoriomoscato4089p yes you are correct. Marconi and John Berry I do the best music producers there are for soundtracks Marconi that's so many movies they gave him a Oscar for all-time achievements award, and Clint Eastwood presented the award to him John Barry best-known probably for James bond, he did win an Oscar for the composer of Born Free. And don't forget the Great soundtrack for the movie Zulu don't know where you're from but have a great day

[@peterbonk4670]

I just remembered another of his great achievements. When you want to ask her for Born Free to get a soundtrack that is just wanting in Zulu and so much more but of course his James Bond soundtracks a great in themselves

[@davidchamberlain5425]

Barry...Williams...Jarre...etc etc...all brilliant...

[@54blewis]

Maurice Jarre,Lawrence of Arabia,The Train,Night of the Generals,Grand Prix, and my favorite soundtrack of his “Is Paris Burning?”

[@terencebarrett2897]

Ahh absolutely wonderful ,it's spectacular atmospheric ,it's like a music magnet to one's ears

[@davidandrews190]

GOOSE BUMPS LOVE THIS COOL TUNE 😎

[@prben2]

With this music, I picture someone hidden from view in the shadows, lighting a cigarette in a darkened and damp cobbled street in East Berlin, with a backdrop of bombed out derelict and empty buildings, with the footsteps of two Stasi police nearby on patrol.

[@StellarFella]

Remember the enticing trailer for this at the theater along with another enticing trailer for The Quiller Memorandum. This was smack in the middle of the secret agent intrigue era.

[@pix046]

I picture a black man smoking a pipe on a street corner and looking across the road at another man and smiling ruefully.

[@buffalopatriot]

That about sums it up.

[@mikewellwood1412]

Funnily enough, the music for "Funeral in Berlin" wasn't half as good, and neither was the movie. It wasn't bad, but it didn't have the class that "The Ipcress File" had.

[@g7vak]

Harry Palmer was ok until US funded it and then it went down the drain.

[@allancerf9038]

are you guys nuts? john barry is regarded and has always been - witness enormous 'haul' of grammies, etc as one of the best composers in the world. he has ALWAYS received great acclaim.

[@Londonfogey]

'Now listen to me Palmer...listen to me...'

[@Aut0five]

shoot the traitor Ross

[@littlegelland]

I've been walking around with the words "Now listen to me... LISTEN to me..." haunting my brain for months, not knowing why. Until I finally decided to rewatch "The Ipcress File" the other night. Imagine my surprise when I found out I'd been brainwashed!

[@mikewellwood1412]

@@littlegelland You'd probably been in that fake East European prison too long....

[@IanP1963]

Len Deighton recently signed my copy of his book FUNERAL IN BERLIN, the sequel to IPCRESS FILE.

[@joeernest1340]

How cool is that, where was the book signing taking place?

[@richardarmstrong-finnerty4304]

+IAN PAYNE That is about as cool as cool gets.

[@pix046]

+IAN PAYNE God to know Len is still going strong. All of his books are out of print by now, of course.

[@Toolpusher]

Not true at all, Amazon UK is full of them, Ipcress File included.

[@pix046]

Have you seen the SS-GB series recently? Amazing I read the book many years ago and found another copy on a used books stand (out of print) 3 or 4 years ago and only now has it been adapted for TV.

[@AtlanteVideos]

Je n'ai jamais entendu un tel enchaînement de tons. Musicalement très recherché. J'apprécie beaucoup

[@amarsbarr]

Lee Roberts thank you for such a detailed intelligent view over john Barry's work, I agree with you sir

[@sixtiesstephanie]

Still got the single I bought when the film came out. Great movie, fantastic story-telling and amazing cast. Michael Caine's sexy eyes - OMG!

[@drewsagar2634]

Very Cool theme for a Very Cool movie Love them both

[@BoBoNomad]

John Barry = Genius

[@nhlazyarse]

Seedy sound - Barry was the best at fitting music to film espionage and spies is what I picture instantly

[@zion2913]

John Barry is the Best ever making of all the Theme music no one can touch him He's The Untouchables Well done Thank you John Barry love it

[@pintofkimberley]

I think this theme tune would actually fit with a John Le Carre adaptation, possibly Smileys people. it's just dark enough.

[@chrisrigby582]

Love it. I always associate this with the theme to 'Callan' but they were written by different people.

[@alimantado373]

There are two emissarys of film music , Morricone and Barry. Love them both!

[@gillyjames9609]

Love this soundtrack! It gets me every time.... and as for the cool, sexy fixed gaze from Michael Caine 💖💋 he might be cool, but he could melt ice with those eyes! xx

[@rabit818]

Cold War paranoia in musical form. Brilliant!

[@ublue54]

rabit818 ...however, it was not entirely paranoid:)

[@Granitoful]

Wonderful . . . Wonderful . . . Wonderful John Barry

[@martinlauzier2722]

Yeah, very nice theme. I always love John Barry

[@robynheavner4689]

John Barry, rip! 💘💘💘 Love Me Barry's style! Bravo! The best! My favorite composer! Have all the Bond soundtracks!💘

[@Alexis-hx3yd]

One of my favourite themes ever.

[@cudak888]

Lots of Barry's Thunderball tucked in here and there in this theme.

[@IanP1963]

+cudak888 ........and every other early Bond theme also!

[@pix046]

+cudak888 Spot on. I suppose Barry can re-work themes over and over.

[@jonragnarmikarlsen9718]

He could for sure!

[@Toolpusher]

He was John Barry, simple as. How many of say; John Williams', or Jerry Goldsmith's, or Basil Poledouris' soundtracks are alike? A great many, if not most. We forgive this because they're so bloody good. :)

[@setsukoozu9829]

What a Quality! It IS definitely VERY COOL! Thank you and an unforgettable theme.

[@judyneville616]

Genius work! this makes me want to work for the secret service... always in sunglasses.... and descreatly hiding a gun whilst on a very complicated mission😎

[@marquonuk]

Wonderful theme for a wonderful film.

[@herbpetrillo163]

Amazing piece of music.this, thunderball and you only live twice...my favorite themes ever....

[@SEASIDEVIDEOS]

WHAT A TREAT TO LISTEN TO THIS===THANK YOU EVER SO MUCH===SEASIDE

[@matthewburden9403]

I recall this soundtrack every time I stroll though South Kensington.

[@Londonfogey]

'I'd prefer my automatic.' 'You'll take the Colt'. 'I'll take the Colt.'

[@stevewilkinson9246]

Londonfogey "You'll USE the colt!"

[@boomerhgt]

What wonderful music John Barry was a musical genius

[@lizgilbey7478]

Have always loved the film and loved this music: Michael Caine was just a perfect Harry Palmer, but never underestimate the great Nigel Green ('Listen to me; now listen to me,,,') and the urbane Guy Doleman. In the words of Michael Caine, that not many people know this, the hands doing the cooking in the film actually belong to Len Deighton himself. A notable chef, he wrote an iconic newspaper cookery strip for many years. Check out his fabulous 'Len Deighton's Action Cook Book for more tastes and looks of the Sixties.

[@soshanna1]

absoutly brilliant.a fantastic film and michael caine and the brilliant john barry

[@adrianbrowne7874]

A more than fitting musical tribute too Michael Caine on his 90th Birthday!! Happy Birthday Sir!!!

[@peterbonk4670]

I agree with everyone John Berry is one or was one of the best soundtrack producers. I would rank them right up there with Eno morricone he's the one that did all the spaghetti Westerns from James Bond, to winning an Oscar for Born Free, definitely one of the best

[@peterbonk4670]

John Berry at his best it really sets a tone to the movie and gives it a haunting background the movie is very important cut butt, a great soundtrack even makes it better

[@rossobantam]

The ' thinking man's James Bond' if I remember correctly

[@mikewellwood1412]

Or the working class James Bond. Except that he wasn't; at least, not in the book. Well, he might have come from working class roots, but I'd guess he'd been to grammar school (so not public school, like Ross, etc), and I'm pretty sure he'd been an officer, not a sergeant, like in the film. And he had good suits made at a tailors (at least you can infer that, if you read the text carefully). However, a bolshy ex-army sergeant with a charge hanging over him probably suited the film better, especially as the 60s were developing. However, the film spy Palmer retained the good dress sense of the unnamed spy in the book, and probably inherited his good taste in food from Deighton. :-)

[@HasturYellowSign]

I wish more were made. It’s a great series. Found the books through this movie

[@johnkhoury1759]

One of the best compositions by John Barry.

[@allancerf9038]

Another Barryism - JB said the only guy in the world who could play the cimbalom worth a damn was some nutter in London. Some director wanted that played on a soundtrack after hearing Ipcress and refused to use the nutter. Said some guy in LA was just as good. "Well, he wasn't" JB said. Instead they ended up using an electric GUITAR treated heavily! Says JB - "don't be so sure of what you think you're hearing." amen.

[@wtfbollos]

awesome sounds, awesome film.

[@saffilevy]

Man! I was looking for this tune for 40 years, since I saw the movie. Great!

[@jontalbot1]

So much prefer this kind of composition to his more romantic, string driven efforts. I love the way this takes it’s time and the air of detached, cool melancholy. Masterpiece.

[@Allan-et5ig]

He had quite a range, including a TON of rock with JB 7. I agree with you about the strings but the big caveat is that he had to deliver (usually) what a director insisted on.

[@saffilevy]

Man! I was looking for this tune for 40 years, since I saw the movie. I forgot the name but now I found it. Great!

[@marquonuk]

It's a superb theme, but my favourite part of it is where the key suddenly goes up in an unexpected way during the zither part (maybe major to minor? I'm not musically technical), and it shouts "something off-kilter here", which sums up the whole film nicely.

[@amarsbarr]

I always think of the 1960's when I hear John Barry's works or any other 1960's music. Despite being born in 1990.

[@TheBone30plus]

They have that 'feel' ;)

[@johnkhourymusic]

Thank you deviantrake for a perfect tune by maestro John Barry. Michael Caine was outstanding in the movie. Monte Carlo, Monaco.

[@JollyRodders]

A friend of mine has only just seen this film. He can't believe he'd never heard of it before..!!

[@DJAD_Kaan]

My name is HARRY PALMER. My name is HARRY PALMER.

[@spindizzy64]

Thank you John

[@themajesticmagnificent386]

John Barry…Pure class…

[@captainbadd]

Enjoying this over a Nescafe and a Gauloises.

[@wizardalvin]

Mr Barry is so the best, goodbye John, thank you so very much

[@pix046]

Lord Pannick prefaces his remarks with "Now listen to me."

[@yatsey007]

I had this on a free soundtracks CD I got with Empire magazine back in the 90's. Absolute banging tune.

[@Dreamskater100]

Excellent. What a classic. x

[@FluWorldOrder]

This spy theme and Richard Rodney Bennet's "The Billion Dollar Brain" are my favourites of this era.

[@cheviotwanderer]

Quite probably my favourite film and film music, always felt sorry about Nigel Green, all great actors.

[@IPCRESSMINI]

Nigel Green...one of the best...Michael Caine is the best...

[@vikinghex]

his music fit the films so perfectly in the deep you can hear the bubbles have it as my ring tone never answer this is so full of menace and intrigue perfect

[@veganvocalist4782]

Great feel and Mr Caine aaalways adds the extra cool factor to any film

[@malcolmlangley7249]

The music fitted like a glove thank you JB

[@perrin6]

FANTASTIC sound quality.

[@OklahomaBoots]

Fav of my Fav's!

[@johnzeszut3170]

Mighty fine mighty fine. Very mellow.

[@avgolemenu]

Thanks for the upload and taking the X to do it Deviantrake!!! Also, excellent recording!

[@Granitoful]

John Barry will miss us

[@SergeGolikov]

John Barry's command of the Orchestra had no peers in terms of arrangement, I affectionately consider him the Tchaikovsky of the 20th Century.

[@robbok98]

A glass of malt,my green leather inlay desk,feet up,listening to this. And my daughter asks me where did it all go wrong dad?

[@youdoxie]

Thought immediately of this timeless piece when I heard John Barry had died. RIP.