Directed by Ken Russell, this film is the last in a trio of espionage thrillers based on the novels by Len Deighton (it was preceded by 'The Ipcress File' and 'Funeral in Berlin') starring Michael Caine as antihero Harry Palmer, who, having left the Secret Service, is now working as a private eye. He is soon sucked into a web of conspiracy involving a far-right American billionaire, General Midwinter (Ed Begley), who plans to wipe out the Communist threat in Latvia using his highly sophisticated computer system.