The Billion Dollar Brain (1967) Opening Titles

[@LeighRichards27]

Maurice Binder - the master of movie opening title sequences.

[@ironpirites]

These title credits are wonderful, as is the music. The novel is one of my favorites by Deighton and might be his most literary work, full of beautiful writing. He is a very underrated writer as was Ian Fleming. I hope he has one more novel stashed away as a gift for us before or after he passes on. I know it's too much to hope for, but he was one of my favorite authors. His books for me, were all vivid and delicious, the way we would like life to be.

[@zoewillard3749]

First time I saw this it blew my mind; I’ve never been so impressed with an opening title sequence. Wish movies today still created sequences like this!

[@brit1066]

These opening credits featured a REAL COMPUTER, it was a Honeywell 200, an early mainframe computer that I spent many years working on when I worked for Honeywell in the 1960s and 70s. The actual computer was at the Honeywell data center in West London, Brentford actually. The control panel with all the lights was a real control panel with some of the markings changed, the card reader and the tape drive were genuine. Later in the movie you get a view of the rest of the computer which consisted of table height cabinets stuffed full of circuit boards. I worked on this actual computer and have a genuine control panel from a REAL HONEYWELL 200. In its day this machine and the other variants derived from it were very powerful machines, even though the basic processor only had between 4 and 32 K of memory, YES 4 to 32 K of memory. The memory consisted of only 6 bit characters and was not solid state, it was CORE MEMORY and it was incredibly expensive. Writing code was a very tricky process, which had to be done in an assembler language or in many cases MACHINE LANGUAGE. But, those were the days, I had an incredibly challenging career and IT WAS GREAT FUN.

[@beargunn7820]

@Science-is-Truth : Indeed, you were quite fortunate to get in on that era of Electronic Data Processing. The movie first caught my eye when I saw it on late-night TV back in the mid-1970s when my job was operating a late-1960s -era Honeywell OS2000 system. That vintage of Honeywell mainframe had a lot of at least visually similar characteristics to the 200. The card reader/punch, the tape drives, teletype console and keyboard, lighted console panel push buttons, impact printer, etc. At first, I actually thought they were using an OS2000, but later found out it was a 200. Turns out the movie pre-dated the OS2000 system anyway. Indeed, the CORE memory and circuit boards were evidently a challenge to maintain, as we experienced occasional CPU and memory hardware issues. When the field engineer would come in to fix it he'd always make good use of an oscilloscope and the good old soldering iron(!). Would make today's business computer users cringe at the sight of it - LOL. But the movie overall is an old fave of mine; the acting and actors, the music, the scenery, the computer... I just love it! I had a good deal of experience with the various IBM Series 370 computers back in that day as well, but the good old Honeywell had a charm of its own. Thanks very much for sharing your very interesting personal experiences with the grand old Honeywell 200 computer system! - Cheers, and Happy Days.

[@johnmayberry5465]

i use a honeywell dolphin 75e as my phone & genarallink to the world now,bit more than 32k of mem thank heavens

[@digitalsketchguy]

Thanks for sharing. Not a lotta people know that.

[@OldDogNewTrick]

@@beargunn7820 MeToo! I started my computer career in the fall of 1965 as a field service trainee for Honeywell. They sent me off for six months of training on the H200 product line, and then turned me loose with the above mentioned oscilloscope and soldering iron. Succeeded in that area then moved into marketing support and then software development as my career advanced over the years. Twenty five years later, the mainframes died out like the dinosaurs and I set out for a few years as an independent IT consultant before retiring. An exciting time to be alive during this era. Sometime in the 1970s: flic.kr/p/7zr2et

[@brit1066]

lucy bond Yeh you did mention Michael Caine. It was a great movie and a great time to be at the beginning of the computer and communications revolution. I try to tell my granddaughter about it but she probably thinks I am pulling her leg, she is 14 and KNOWNS EVERYTHING. She has the rolling of the eyes and the sighing down to a T, but I still love her to death, now my 9 year old grandson does believe me but then again he still thinks that girls are very annoying and a pain in the neck. He may be right, whoops better not go there. Best wishes.

[@16mmfilmcollector]

Thanks for another great title sequence from Maurice Binder, the man behind the best Bond 007 titles. Plus Richard Rodney Bennett's great theme. Loved this movie since 1968.

[@sclogse1]

Maurice Bender Charade opening...moving right out of the film into it's spinniing graphics, is one of the most ecstatic things I've ever seen in film. Along with Mancini's pulsing music...a gift from the gods. Note here how the turing tape discs are so similar to Charade's opening....but much easier to do....

[@Setebos]

Great casual expression on Caine's face during the opening credits. Sort of: "Why yes, this crap happens to me all the time. Why do you ask?"

[@maxmorando4852]

General Midwinter was one of my idols when I was a kid.

[@I967]

Excellent film, brilliant music, and, of course, Michael Caine. One of the greatest film actors alive.

[@DanLoFat]

Rediculous McGuffin.

[@charlessmyth]

Don't blink :-)

[@2msvalkyrie529]

And Karl Malden ! Always great in supporting roles ( one eyed Jack's ! )

[@lilybond6485]

Take me back to 1967.

[@iblackmovement]

So slick, well designed, and smart for something from 67

[@nasrosubari49]

That's BECAUSE it's from 1967, not despite!

[@suhaimifariz2713]

It’s interesting to note that this anti-James Bond movie is made by half of the people that made the James Bond movies.

[@That_Random_Bloke]

The great Maurice Binder. RIP Sir

[@robertrossney8947]

I never knew that *The Ipcress File* had a sequel! Or that it was directed by KEN RUSSELL. And I certainly didn't know about these fabulous, fabulous titles, which by the way are what it's like at work for me every day.

[@56postoffice]

The only actor who made NHS glasses look sexy. Michael's the man, and he's still going strong!

[@colinmold8311]

Superb music by Richard Rodney Bennett and I always like Mr Caine and and Mr Russell.

[@Dave-em9im]

Magnificent film!!!

[@melvinhowcroft2284]

A haunting quality.

[@thomasdosborneii]

I am amazed, and thankful, that you have this, and have posted it. One of my all-time favorite opening title sequences. I love seeing the old main frame, unit record, and punch card computer equipment, from when I first learned programing in the late 1960s. And the music, just so good!

[@DanLoFat]

I like the score because it shows that Barry can write OUT of the 007 genre. Much later, Assasins was too 007-ish ,but ya cant make all gems!

[@abaezeanekwe689]

Dan Lo Fat Richard Rodney Bennett made the score for this one. Excellent job he did too.

[@redmanthinks]

RRB , what a fantastic score, have n`t heard it for years but still remember it from when I was 6!!!

[@prben2]

The American accent voiceof the Billion Dollar Brain computer was provided by Donald Sutherland.

[@DanLoFat]

Really? Cool.

[@lilybond6485]

Wow. Did not know that. Thanks.

[@stewartlynch7859]

Sutherland was a Canadian based in England at the time. At the same time he was working on The Dirty Dozen (playing the role of Pinkney)

[@baronvonmaximillionsnell2757]

Great Bit Of Film Work.

[@mari5london]

such a cool spy movie and maurice bender!

[@BigDon62]

Gee Maurice Micklewhite was a lucky bugger getting to use this kit ! I was getting the cane from Miss. James as a five year old back in '67 & had to wait until 1975/76 to use a primitive form of the net at big boys school ! This is a seriously chic man flick I have to say.............

[@StephenAllcroft]

Sequel to Funeral In Berlin which was sequel to the Ipcress Files; all three novels the work of Len Deighton.

[@DanLoFat]

Oh, man, the I.P.C.R.E.S.S. file, yeesh !

[@tomflendodo7297]

A Billion Dollar 💵💰 isn't what it USE to be $$$$$$$$$$$$$$

[@IAmSoMuchBetterThanYou]

You just don't get opening credits like that any more. People don't have the attention span.

[@DanLoFat]

What? Sorry. Wasnt paying attention. Again. In the butt.

[@nasrosubari49]

Actually, for the main titles he used *three* pianos. Bennett himself performed at one of the three pianos for the “Main Title,” with the other two keyboards played by composer Thea Musgrave (who doubled elsewhere in the score on harpsichord) and Susan Bradshaw (who doubled on celesta).

[@Setebos]

Caine's deadpan expressions in the credits really help make them.

[@zJoriz]

That's a brilliant work of art. Thanks for sharing indeed.

[@MrTOMMOMUFC]

brilliant Opening Title

[@antmac5701]

First Computer I ever worked on a Honeywell Series 2000

[@maximkochkin9971]

The Grand Tour...if you know what I mean...

[@kewaoni3995]

Bugatti, Episode 3 - Season 2. The Billion Dollar Brain is a 60s classic, worth the listen in its own right.

[@Sun-Tzu-]

Saw that and instantly thought "Billion Dollr Brain"!

[@vinzgiggity8619]

Yeah, Shazam help me )))

[@BehradDavoudi]

i can't find the high quality new recording :( did they record it for the show?

[@Diegobentes]

Great Opening! Thanks for sharing!

[@melvinhowcroft2284]

NOW IS THE WINTER OF OUR DISCONTENT X

[@washmabi]

I must have been 8 years old, and when she spoke those words I fell in love for the first time.

[@DSP388]

we ball, bust a shot - Dom

[@MEATYOKERRable]

Wow to think if I ever wanted to make my own 60's spy movie, I'd just have to shoot at the Laundromat for the opening sequence....

[@Tordogor]

I really regret that Michel Caine did not makr more Len Deighton's Harry Palmer novels. Done every two years or so, Horse Under Water, An Expensive Place to Die, Yesterday's Spy, and Twinkle, Twinkle Little Spy would have been a glorious romp! Compared with so many crappy films that Caine made after B$B, among others that are real gems, they would have been a nice addition to the Cold War spy movie genre. Deighton work is neither as dense as Le Carré's, nor so juvenile and vapid as Fleming's. That is the reason they are cerebrally enterteining.

[@ricardocantoral7672]

Fleming was juvenile but vapid ? I don't agree. Bond was often conflicted about the nature of his work. In the first chapter of Goldfinger, he was drinking away his sorrows over the death of a man he killed.

[@johnrussell4633]

Yes, I wish they had done "Horse under water" too.

[@rickyj5547]

It was a fiop when it came out.

[@mikehectorisntreal]

WE BALL!

[@Trussme96]

+Mike Hector WE DRINK

[@MrAfriKa]

+Mike Hector The sample though, but Dom Kennedy has fallen of lately.

[@walendxweg]

NICE PURES SWEET LE JEUDI 08 JUIN 2016 EPUISE VERSE 17 HEURES 30 DEEPER and DEEPER faut pas nous prendre pour DEGIVRER NI DECONGELER

[@njoji]

@@MrAfriKa No doubt

[@MrJPorto]

I love that keyboard...

[@marceloribeirobarros]

AMAZING !!!!!

[@dkizxpt-su3ze]

These opening credits featured a REAL COMPUTER that I made and designed myself. It was a Honeywell 200, an early mainframe computer that I built when I worked for Honeywell in the 1960s and 70s. Honeywell built a multi-billion corporation off the back of my computer, but I never received a penny in royalties. I now sit here in my old age scared to put the heating on and I don't have enough money for food. Do you think Honeywell should give me a little something for my efforts?

[@rickyj5547]

I first watched it on itv in the 1970s.

[@scribe56]

so many movies open without credits -- and I want to know who is in the movie, who wrote it, etc. and music. The best thing about some of the Bond movies was the opening credits. PS Love Harry Palmer and these were good movies with a hero who wore glasses, tried to be a decent guy, and ate cold cereal for breakfast because he was broke.

[@ippolit23]

R.I.P. Richard Rodney Bennett!

[@melvinhowcroft2284]

Now Is The Winter Of Our Discontent x

[@robertobarrale8900]

Harry palmer movies ❤️❤️❤️

[@alimantado373]

Boss film :)

[@arthurcabral9561]

Reminiscent of live action "Joe 90"!

[@StephenAllcroft]

+Arthur Cabral Although Joe was intended to be a younger Michael Caine.

[@rapidfirerob4]

I've seen (and own)The Ipcress File and Funeral In Berlin, but not this one.

[@baronvonmaximillionsnell2757]

Very 60's.

[@HC-cb4yp]

YEAH, baby! YEAH!

[@deacondavis5098]

I can picture a Ferrante and Teicher cover version of this piece.

[@martinlagrange8821]

And yet, by 1987 (when Intel released the 386, and Motorola the 68030) Desktop IBM PC Compatibles and Apple Macintosh LC III's could at last blow a Honeywell 200 into the weeds....

[@LatasiaBrownlee]

No MAD Magazine (1952-2024)

[@diamond21450]

i still can`t find a copy of this!

[@nasrosubari49]

Amazon? Ebay?

[@diamond21450]

I did try??????????

[@jaimeavaria3353]

Me gustaria ver esta pelicula ..tambien hablada al español .

[@malthuswasright]

The problem is that after THAT opening sequence the film is going to be an anticlimax....

[@2msvalkyrie529]

Yes. It began well and then I fear Ken lost ( or never had ! ) the plot. Still worth watching though !!

[@marquonuk]

It's not actually by John Barry. He did the Ipcress File theme for the Harry Palmer film series, but not this one which was by Richard Rodney Bennett. Have a listen to 'Anya's Theme' from the same film for a very haunting piece of music...

[@walendxweg]

ANOTHER DAY

[@mrpurser3136]

Film 4 are currently playing it for free.

[@rickyj5547]

I got the dvd today

[@mecaserg]

There's a 4th Harry Palmer film from 1995 called "Bullet to Beijing". Is not bad but not as good as the other 3.

[@LatasiaBrownlee]

No 2022 Sleeping

[@cjcampbell37]

Music by Richard Rodney Bennett

[@gregscorzo1990]

Looks a bit like a Kubrick film that Kubrick never made.

[@Prosaicus]

But $1,000,000,000,000,000,000.00 would make it a quintillion dollar brain.

[@nasrosubari49]

Or trillion in long scale.

[@DanLoFat]

HOW DARE YOU ARGUE WITH THE BRAIN!?

[@baronvonmaximillionsnell2757]

Very 60's.....Poor mans James bond.

[@bassinblue]

YOU'RE ONLY SUPPOSED TO BLOW THE BLOODY BRAIN OFF.

[@walendxweg]

one more TheM

[@walendxweg]

17juin 2020 📡📡🐺🐮🐬💎💋

[@walendxweg]

MODEL CIRCUIT 88 to stalk

[@MegaThecolonel]

We the English invented it and gave it to the Swiss long before the yanks got hold of it

[@malthuswasright]

Do we know who the pianist was?

[@therealKINDLE]

Hmmm... yes.. It's not John Barry is it?! Still, you're up against the man himself!

[@maloney1953]

Billion dollar brain with a capital B.... long numbers.... a billion was a million million here... not a thousand million like in america

[@walendxweg]

REF film TARKOVSKI le violon et le rouleau compresseur ..

[@Jay-ue2ic]

WE BALL.

[@danabrahams7892]

brilliant opening poor film sadly

[@walendxweg]

IL n y a pas de coeur ailleurs sur ce cap et them NSR und!!

[@ricardocantoral7672]

The worst of the original Palmer films, far too much of an aping of Bond. I still love it though. The best part was General Midwinter's rant about communism.

[@MegaThecolonel]

Terrible film, but superb opening credits and theme tune love it

[@walendxweg]

Severine 4Y0 df ECCHO CEAN sublatif wikkinone DASITSO she hot l R OschI ROLES

[@1neJiPPi0]

Good music; very bad opening thou.