"Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy" (1979) TV series

User Rating:

9.0/10   

Director:

John Irvin

Writers:

John le Carré (novel) and
Arthur Hopcraft (dramatisation)

Seasons:

1

Release Date:

29 September 1980 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Thriller

Plot:

George Smiley has been retired for about a year when he finds a friend from the circus, his old outfit...

Plot Keywords:

Spy | British Intelligence | Paris France | Investigation | KGB

Awards:

Nominated for Primetime Emmy. Another 4 wins & 7 nominations

Cast

Alec Guinness	...	George Smiley (7 episodes, 1979)
Michael Jayston	...	Peter Guillam (7 episodes, 1979)
Anthony Bate	...	Sir Oliver Lacon / ... (7 episodes, 1979)
George Sewell	...	Mendel (6 episodes, 1979)
Bernard Hepton	...	Toby Esterhase (5 episodes, 1979)
Ian Richardson	...	Bill Haydon (5 episodes, 1979)
Hywel Bennett	...	Ricki Tarr (5 episodes, 1979)
Terence Rigby	...	Roy Bland (4 episodes, 1979)
Ian Bannen	...	Jim Prideaux (4 episodes, 1979)
Michael Aldridge	...	Percy Alleline (4 episodes, 1979)
Alec Sabin	...	Fawn (4 episodes, 1979)
Alexander Knox	...	Control (3 episodes, 1979)
Duncan Jones	...	Roach (3 episodes, 1979)
Daniel Beecher	...	Spikely (3 episodes, 1979)

Also Known As:

"Calderero, sastre, soldado, espía" (Spain) [es]
"König, Dame, As, Spion" (West Germany) [de]
"Mullvaden" (Sweden) [sv]

Runtime:

290 min | UK:350 min (7 parts)

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Singapore:PG

Filming Locations:

Bywater Street, Chelsea, London, England, UK

Company:

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)

Trivia:

Alec Guinness was very concerned that he wasn't the right type to portray the "frog-like" George Smiley. At one point during filming, he suggested that the production team ask Arthur Lowe to replace him.

Goofs:

Crew or equipment visible: During the outdoor daytime scene where Smiley converses with Prideaux, they are tracked by the camera as they walk across a field. At one point, when they are nearest the camera, the shadows of some crew members are just about visible on Prideaux's coat.

Quotes:

George Smiley: I'm surprised you didn't get thrown out along with the rest of us, Peter. You had all the right qualifications for dismissal - good at your work, loyal, discreet...

Movie Connections:

Follows The Spy Who Came in from the Cold (1965)

Go Buy NOW

Quite simply the best thing I have ever seen the BBC produce in my lifetime, or before it for that matter. Guinness is impeccable, living down the shame of Obi, but the piece is an ensemble one. Hopcraft's script is taut, bitter and acerbic with some amazingly funny barbs thrown in the conversations as the group finally realise that they have been penetrated to the highest levels of the Service. Anthony Jayston was never so good in Quiller, Bernard Hepton is amazing, Ian Bannen, Beryl Reid, Ian Richardson. The cast have no weak links. Hywel Bennett is very good as an edgy operative, so bleached by the netherworld that he no longer knows who to trust. Direction is clinically crisp yet every scene is enjoyed at its natural pace and the outdoor scenes are every bit as good as the studio set scenes. Fabulous!!!