Harry Palmer no. 2 and 3, both are long OOP and just to finally see them was something:
Funeral in Berlin
An interesting straightforward spy story of double and triple crosses in Berlin. The use of location shooting at the Berlin Wall really adds to the effect. Caine is just as arrogant and fantastic, and overall the film is good if not a bit draggy and underdeveloped.
3.5 balls out of 4 spies with glasses.
Billion Dollar Brain
This is a really strange one. Not only is it completely bizarre, but it is also hauntingly mesmerizing. Caine's Harry Palmer is thrust into yet another situation on behalf of England, beginning with a computerized voice ordering him to smuggle a thermos of eggs containing viruses to Finland. And this is just the opening.
We are kept in a state of confusion that matches Harry's constant bewilderment. Thus we must pay as much attention to crucial story elements as if we were spies as well. The real plot that eventually begins to take shape is bizarre, over the top, and also completely all too real.
A Texan oil tycoon has built a billion dollar supercomputer to help him and his private army to rid the world of Communism.
The film is a nightmarish dreamic landscape that never once is fully realistic in any way. The score adds to this effect immensely, always eerie and melodic and featuring one of the greatest title themes I've ever come across.
The cinematography is pitch perfect, aptly matching the maintained state of confusion, which is also held up by inventive editing. This film also features some of the best snow landscapes put to celluloid.
A highly recommended blend of 60's spy film, quasi-realism, Michael Caine and an art movie. Plus it's a Ken Russell movie to boot. There's really nothing like this, even in his canon.
4 balls out of 4 "Because my arm is long and my vengeance is total."