BILLION DOLLAR BRAIN (1967, UK, 111m, PG) **½
Adventure, Drama, Thriller
dist. United Artists; pr co. Jovera Pictures AG/SA; d. Ken Russell; w. John McGrath (based on the novel by Len Deighton); pr. Harry Saltzman; ph. Billy Williams (De Luxe | 2.35:1); m. Richard Rodney Bennett; ed. Alan Osbiston; pd. Syd Cain; ad. Bert Davey.
cast: Michael Caine (Harry Palmer), Karl Malden (Leo Newbigen), Ed Begley (Gen. Midwinter), Oskar Homolka (Col. Stok), Françoise Dorléac (Anya), Guy Doleman (Col. Ross), Vladek Sheybal (Dr. Eiwort), Milo Sperber (Basil), Janos Kurutz (Latvian Gangster), Alexei Jawdokimov (Latvian Gangster), Paul Tamarin (Latvian Gangster), Izabella Telezynska (Latvian Gangster), Mark Elwes (Birkenshaw), Stanley Caine (G.P.O. Special Delivery Boy), Gregg Palmer (First Dutch Businessman), John Herrington (2nd Dutch Businessman), Hans De Vries (3rd Dutch Businessman), Fred Griffiths (Taxi Driver), John Brandon (Jim), Donald Sutherland (Scientist at Computer).
The third of the Harry Palmer spy thrillers sees Palmer (Caine) re-engaged with the British Secret Service and delivering a seemingly normal package to Helsinki. However, he learns that he is actually returning stolen virus-infected eggs to a government lab. Palmer is then persuaded to thwart a manic Texas oil baron (Begley) who is planning to attack the Soviet Union with a supercomputer. Director Russell seems more interested in flashy visuals and 1960s flair than in telling a cohesive story. The funky lensing and heavy-handed editing serve to detach us from the plot and leave us to merely admire the gorgeous snowbound scenery. Whilst Caine remains as watchable as ever and Homolka pleasingly returns as the garrulous Soviet Colonel Stok, Begley hams up his role to the hilt. In the final battle on ice, Russell nods enthusiastically toward ALEXANDER NEVSKY (1938). The voice of the computer heard over the phone before the titles is Donald Sutherland.
