FUNERAL IN BERLIN
UK, 1966, 102 minutes, Colour.
Michael Caine, Paul Hubschmid, Oskar Homolka, Eva Renzi, Guy Doleman, Hugh Burden.
Directed by Guy Hamilton.
Funeral in Berlin is the second in the Harry Palmer series which began with The Ipcress File in 1965 and continued with Ken Russell’s The Billion Dollar Brain in 1968. Neither of the successors had the same impact as The Ipcress File. However, Michael Caine established himself as the sardonic agent in this series.
The novels were written by Len Deighton, and were the popular ingredients of many thrillers of this period including such films as The Kremlin Letter, The Quiller Memorandum.
The film was directed by Guy Hamilton who directed a number of the James Bond films, Battle of Britain and a number of action films including Return from Navarone.
The film is interesting with its Berlin setting, the issue of defectors, the complicated plots of the Cold War – especially in East German settings.
1. The appeal of spy films in the sixties? The reason for their proliferation? The presentation of espionage, intrigue, patriotism, heroes and realism?
2. What particular aspects of the spy genre were emphasised here? The sour aspects and the realism? The use of German locations? (Yet with colour and Panavision?)
3. The style of Len Deighton and the Harry Palmer character? This film as a sequel and part of a series?
4. The central focus on Harry Palmer? Michael Caine's style, Palmer as a weak and cynical character, his criminal past, his lack of moral vision, his relationship with women, his being held In power by Poss, his doing things for money, his lack of feelings and the possibility of their being used, his lack of morals for decision? An instrument of British power? Audience response to this kind of hero?
5. The portrayal of British officials and power via the character of Ross? His cynical and detached hold over Palmer, ordering issues of death etc.?
6. The contrast with Colonel Stock? His style and subtlety, yet his cruelty and power in espionage? His good humour, yet the deadly plan and the lies told? The tricking of Kreutzman and his elimination? The visual elaboration of the funeral?
7. The complexity of the character of Vulkan? Friendship with Palmer, yet prepared to betray and kill him, greed? Palmer's changing his coat so that he would be killed? Vulkan's using of Hallam, Hallam's complaints about his treatment from Ross, Hallam's death? The ugly side
of espionage?
8. How well integrated into the plot were the Israeli complications? In terms of characters, politics and action?
9. Palmer and his mission to kill Vulkan? The ironic way in which it was done? Palmer giving the plans to the Israelis?
10. The film and its portrayal of an ugly world, futility? The value of a thriller to indicate this kind of world? How pessimistic?
