Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy

The first few minutes from the BBC series Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy based on John Le Carre's novel of the same title. Among the very best of BBC productions ever, it starred the great Alec Guiness as spy master George Smiley. Guinness does not appear in this clip, though. This scene does not appear as such in the novel but seems very true to the characters and the general "air" of the story. It is also played silently, with great precision and wit. Note great actors, Bernard Hepton as Toby Esterhase (in outrageously coloured shirt), and Ian Richardson as Bill Haydon (balancing coffee cup).
The whole series is joy to watch. Seek it (and the follow-up, Smiley's People) out.

Category:

Film & Animation

Tags:

• John
• le
• Carre
• Tinker
• Tailor
• Soldier
• Spy
• George
• Smiley
• Alec
• Guinness
• Bernard
• Hepton
• Ian
• Richardson
• Irvin
• 1979
• Cold
• War
• spy
• espionage
• television

[KataAnimata]

@jsal56 It's a shame that the chip on your shoulder prevented you from enjoying the film. 'Hollywood' (the film was made by Working Title and Studio Canal - British and French companies respectively, by the way) is not made up of some sort of cabal with a gay agenda. Guillam's sexuality comes up once in the film in a scene that I thought was an effective replacement for his personal life in the book, which is played out in his thoughts and therefore not workable for a film.

[BrounClan]

Those were the days ...

You could spark up and puff away to your heart's content in the workplace!

[maffaxxx]

i read the book, i saw this serial, and saw the movie, and in all honesty i have to say that this is the only movie version of a book i loved that hit the target. I found great casting choices, all the faces were better than those i imagined. The general atmosphere was hit on, and the changes on the plot were instrumental to make a pleasant movie out of a complex novel.

[althesmith]

@KataAnimata : Not only that, there is more "gay" in the book and the original series than the movie. Although in the book Peter was straight- but with a messy personal life due to a midlife crisis- it makes it quite clear that Jim Prideaux and Bill Haydon were not just best friends but lovers- and this was shown in the BBC series. Top that off with Smiley's recollection of Bill showing up at his place once with an obvious boy-toy instead of his usual much younger blonde bimbo.

[340L302d]

@joysticky83 I concur

[danab915]

@EmptyGlass99 Don't be sorry. I have not seen the movie. However, the BBC serial is brilliant!

[danab915]

Haven't seen the movie.... I LOVE this series and Smiley's People. It has been a great pleasure to watch such an incredible ensemble of brilliant actors in character. I must admit that I did enjoy how Toby Esterhase character evolves in the follow-up story, (and equally brilliant series), Smiley's People.

[joysticky83]

Just pisses on the 2011 film from a breathtaking height.

[NRecob]

this blows the oldman movie away

[NRecob]

@EmptyGlass99 Spot on.