In Len Deighton's 1966 novel and its subsequent 1967 film adaptation, the subtitle refers to a massive, room-sized supercomputer that serves as the central "villainous" force. It functions as an early cinematic depiction of automated warfare and the cold, mechanical logic of the Space Age. The Technical "Brain"
: It is programmed to launch a private army into Latvia to trigger a revolution against the Soviet Union. subtitle Billion Dollar Brain
While the computer is the namesake, its role differs slightly between the two mediums: In Len Deighton's 1966 novel and its subsequent
: The machine is a technical wonder that symbolizes man's attempt to replace human reason with data. However, it is not the most dominant plot element, as Deighton focuses more on the human spies and their shifting loyalties. While the computer is the namesake, its role
: The machine itself "chooses" Harry Palmer for his mission, delivering instructions via a computer-generated voice on the phone. Narrative Significance
The "Brain" is owned by (played by Ed Begley in the film), a fanatical Texan billionaire and anti-communist. He uses this advanced Honeywell technology to: