The Ipcress File will always be challenging to translate to the screen since, in the book, the main character is never identified. Harry Palmer was a name invented for the Michael Caine movie. Consequently, that film becomes the authorised version. Having said that, this version is at least true to the spirit of the novel. To satisfy Caine-anites we get Palmer's back story as a black-marketeer, and in the first episode there is a wealth of period detail centreing on the Cold War frontline Berlin before he is arrested. A nuclear scientist is kidnapped and Palmer is granted a temporary release from jail at the request of Dalby, the head of one of those shady independent intelligence organisations set up for dirty jobs during WW2. Dalby is a snob, constantly sneering at our boy's working class background but, Harry matches him quip for quip. The inclusion of a black senior CIA operative in the early sixties is feasible, but unlikely. I think ITV is just ticking a box here. The intention is for Harry, being familiar with the Berlin underworld, to make contact with the likely ransom broker. A deal is set up but, since this is only the first episode, things go disastrously awry and Palmer barely escapes with his life. Plays very much like an early sixties spy film with no profanity or gratuitous sex (so far). Should be enjoyable.