Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy -- End Credits (to the 1979 BBC television miniseries)

"Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy" is a 1979 BBC television miniseries. This must be one of the best handful of series ever produced for television, as is the companion piece, "Smiley's People". Both series are based on the great books by John le Carre. Both star Alec Guiness as George Smiley; his performances are masterly. All the cast members in both productions are great. Both series are great.

This video shows the end credits for "Tinker, Tailor." The music was composed and conducted by Geoffrey Burgon. The title of the end credits music is "Nunc Dimittis" according to information found on Amazon.com.

N.B. The clouds are moving; the credits are running in front of a filmed scene not a picture.

N.B. 2 -- I am a fool; I just found out (8 months after posting the video) that this is being sung in English. I had assumed it was Latin and hadn't really bothered listening to the words. Thanks to Desperate Irish Housewife, I will enjoy this beautiful music even more.

[Luke 2: 29-32]
Lord, now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace
According to Thy word.
For mine eyes have seen Thy salvation
Which Thou has prepared before the face of all peoples
To be a light to the Gentiles,
And to be the glory of Thy people, Israel.

[Doxology]
Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son,
and to the Holy Ghost.
As it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end.
Amen.

P.S. Thanks to EC4LS (11/2008), I can add that the singer is Paul Phoenix. Here is a statement I found: "Born on April Fools Day in 1967, I started my singing career some hours later! That seems to be my recollection - singing is something I have been doing and focusing on for as long as I can remember. I became a chorister at St. Paul's Cathedral when I was nine under Barry Rose. Life was both challenging and rewarding, and I was lucky enough to make several successful recordings, including the theme music for the TV drama, Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy."

P.P.S. Here it is, 2012, and we now have a movie of TTSS (I haven't seen it yet but plan to--the reviews are good). I have edited the title of this posting in order to make it easier for people to avoid this if they are looking for something from the movie.

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[debdessaso]

I, too, love TTSS and I watch it at least every other month. I understand that the movie version is due out either this year or 2012 with Gary Oldman playing Smiley and Benedict Cumberbatch playing a blond Peter Guillam. I plan to see it, primarily because of these two stars; however, I may have a hard time picturing Oldman as Smiley and, as much as I like Benedict, I can't quite picture Guillam as a blond!

[Straussian]

I just saw the trailer for the upcoming movie version of TTSS. I have such high regard for Gary Oldman, Le Carre, etc, that I am warning myself not to be too disappointed in the movie version but accept it for what it is. I cannot imagine the movie being anywhere near as good as the TV series or the book, so that helps lower my expectations. If it is as good as 'The Spy Who Came in from the Cold' movie, I will be happy. Though I haven't seen it in many years, I thought TSWCIFTC was very good.

[Emma Cohen]

The boy singing is called Paul Phoneix.

I just found out.

[Straussian]

Thanks. I found this from Paul Phoenix:

Born on April Fools Day in 1967, I started my singing career some hours later! That seems to be my recollection - singing is something I have been doing and focusing on for as long as I can remember. I became a chorister at St. Paul's Cathedral when I was nine under Barry Rose. Life was both challenging and rewarding, and I was lucky enough to make several successful recordings, including the theme music for the TV drama, Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy.

[xingsheng1]

Golden age of BBC TV.

i watched all these late 70's shows and 30 years later their qualities have still not been surpassed. I watched TTSS five times already and still love every minute of it. Smiley's people is also very good.

[colenso05]

Indeed it is - Paul Phoenix,who sang on this soundtrack recording, recorded it for St Paul's on an album called "Golden Favourites from St. Paul's". It was certainly still available recently at the Cathedral shop and contains another 13 tracks featuring Paul's fabulous solo voice.

[Arvedui12]

For the sake of heresy: I think the BBC version is great but far from perfect. I thought Peter Guillam was too old and Fawn too young besides being far too tall. And even though Joss Ackland matched the description of Jerry in his one-chapter-cameo in TTSS I can't picture him as "The Honourable Schoolboy". Judging from his friends and interactions in "THS" including the woman he falls in love with I imagined him as a MUCH younger man. They should cast Martin Freeman as Jerry in the next one.

[T Green]

The sheer acting quality of Sir Alec Guinness s, as the retired spy chief, George Smiley. Set such a high bench mark of expectation, as to challenge for all time any of those who follow in the part.

[HairyBosch]

Pull your head out of your bum and enjoy it. Does it really matter what colour Guillam's hair is? It's a faithful interpretation of Le Carre's work. Let's not get hung up on what colour some bloke's hair is, eh? Put The Telegraph down, pour yourself a single malt and enjoy the film. And, to be honest, watching a BBC mini-series from 30+ years ago on video "every other month" can't be good for a chap, can it? Are you David Cameron?

[bonnie2429]

can't agree more on the Soviet anthem part!!

[debdessaso]

I agree with your comments about why Burgon chose this canticle for TTSS's theme song, especially since the words come from the New Testament story about a man who was rejoicing that he'd finally seen the Christ child. Anyway...I also agree with your comments about the TTSS movie. I realize that a movie is not a miniseries, but like the series, it was based on a book, and there have been many successful movie adaptations of books. Alas, the TTSS movie is not among them!

[MrWoshiwaiguoren]

It was good, and I especially liked the scene where they sing the Soviet anthem, but I feel it was more or less impossible to coherently portray the story in the space of a single movie. The miniseries was some 350 minutes, while the movie is only 130. I don't think people who didn't already know the story could follow it. The Spy Who Came in from the Cold was a better movie.

[mofipogi]

Listened to it again and now I hear the difference. Beautiful job by both, regardless.  Time to get the wax out of my ears, I guess.

[mofipogi]

It certainly *sounds* like the same one and credit is given to Geoffrey Burgon, as well. I'm still perplexed but you're correct. He wasn't even born when the original production came out so .... well, at least I didn't swear to eat my bonnet if it wasn't him :o) It really sounds like the Jonathan Rendell.

[Lumisatmi]

Are you sure it is the same rendition? This is a very famous Nunc Dimittis, of which there are numerous recordings out there. This is Paul Phoenix for sure.

And now that I checked, looks like Jonathan Rendell wasn't even born yet when this show aired. That at least should clear up the confusion. :D

[mofipogi]

I am just discovering this wonderful production. I was intrigued by the beautiful music, too, and surprisingly, I could understand what was said so it was easy enough to find this canticle with a Google search. I am confused, however, that credit is being given to Paul Phoenix for the vocals. I just purchased from Amazon and the treble solo is credited to Jonathan Rendell. Curious ...