Billion Dollar Brain (1967)

Billion Dollar Brain (1967), a British spy film helmed by Ken Russell, is based on Len Deighton’s novel of the same name published in 1966. The protagonist, Harry Palmer, has recently left MI5 to take up work as a private detective. He receives a call from an artificial voice instructing him to deliver a package to Helsinki. Inside are six virus-infected eggs which have been stolen from a top-secret research facility in Porton Down. In Helsinki, he is greeted by Anya who then introduces him to Leo Newbigen, an old friend of Harry’s and Anya’s handler. Despite Leo’s affection for her, Harry realizes Anya is only feigning interest in him. Unsure of whom to trust among his acquaintances, he is abducted by his former MI5 boss Colonel Ross. Under duress, Harry agrees to resume his government service and expose the conspiracy behind the egg theft.

Leo leads Harry to a hidden room where a computer issues daily instructions to the local team, using the same voice that summoned Harry to Helsinki. The device commands Leo to eliminate Anya, but he refuses. Together, they meet with a scientist who evaluates the value of certain eggs. During this meeting, Harry is introduced as a new operator. He is then sent to Latvia, in the USSR, to work with rebels and gather information. Despite being captured and left for dead, Harry is eventually rescued by Colonel Stok, an old acquaintance from the KGB. Upon returning to Helsinki, Anya attempts to kill Harry while also trying to seduce him. However, she later confesses that it was the computer instructing her to murder him. In response, Harry locks her in a room and heads back to the computer where Leo awaits him.