Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy

[nuffsaid]

I've been enjoying this on BBC4 as part of their Spy season.

Missed it first time round, all those years ago. It seemed good then but I just never stuck with it - the folly of yoof.

Not much really happens but its full of very dense dialogue that really adds to the sense of plots within plots.

Plus I just can't help think of Obi-Wan every time Alec Guinness opens his mouth.

 

[Lock&Light]

It's a brilliantly good adaptation of an even more brilliant novel.

 

[Belushi]

Watched them all a couple of years ago, classic British Spy series with Guinness superb as George Smiley. The books are great as well.

 

[lighterthief]

Yup, it's an absolute joy watching it. Watched Smiley's People recently on DVD as well. Was there another Smiley series inbetween these two?

 

[Bernie Gunther]

There was another book, "The Honorable Schoolboy" in between Tinker Tailor and Smiley's People, but I suspect it might have been too big complicated and expensive for them to film like they did the other two.

There are also a couple of murder mystery ones, very short, with Smiley as the detective.

I think he first appears in "Spy Who Came In From The Cold" but it's so long since I read that I can't recall for sure.

 

[Santino]

I like the way that the episodes just quietly end. It makes a change from the modern obsession with BANG SHOCKING TWIST endings.

 

[nuffsaid]

I like the way that the episodes just quietly end. It makes a change from the modern obsession with BANG SHOCKING TWIST endings.

Yeah - that always catches me out though and I then can't wait for the next episode. Bit like being woken from a really good dream.

 

[CyberRose]

Yea I love this, have it and Smiley's people on DVD which is equally as good!

 

[lighterthief]

There was another book, "The Honorable Schoolboy" in between Tinker Tailor and Smiley's People, but I suspect it might have been too big complicated and expensive for them to film like they did the other two.

Looks like it.

Wikipedia: Jonathan Powell, producer of Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy, has stated that the BBC considered producing The Honourable Schoolboy, but decided not to do so due to the prohibitive cost of filming a miniseries in South East Asia. Therefore the BBC moved directly on to the third novel of the Karla Trilogy, Smiley's People, which was broadcast in 1982.

Bah!

 

[undercover]

There was another book, "The Honorable Schoolboy" in between Tinker Tailor and Smiley's People, but I suspect it might have been too big complicated and expensive for them to film like they did the other two.

There are also a couple of murder mystery ones, very short, with Smiley as the detective.

I think he first appears in "Spy Who Came In From The Cold" but it's so long since I read that I can't recall for sure.

The Spy who came in from the cold is the best Le Carre "cold war" story IMO, the book is superb. The main character is Alex Leamus though, not Smiley, and Richard Burton is excellent in the film. Well worth a read and watch. The Night Manager is my favourite of his, they would make a film out of that if I was in charge.

Bought the box set of TTSS & Smiley's People a few years ago and still watching it again on TV now.

God I miss the cold war.... The Tailor of Panama was shite (book was OK ish), Constant Gardner, better, as was the book.

End of Le Carre worship.

 

[lighterthief]

Tonight's episode was a cracker. Last one tomorrow