This series is one of the best things I’ve ever seen on television, or any screen really. And it does the book justice. By the way, Michael Jayston has since read many of the audiobooks of the le Carré novels, including Tinker, Tailor. When he does Smiley’s voice, he seems to be channeling Alec Guinness.
Ok I stopped reading after first para (no spoilers for me) but have put this straight to the top of my must-watch pile. Classic BBC you say? In multiple parts? Sold. Thanks for the hot tip. 🙏
This was such a fantastically well timed reading experience for me today. I just checked out the 2011 film from the library this week for a rewatch and I watched the film this morning. I had no prior awareness of the 1979 BBC show until reading your piece and my curiosity is now completed peaked and I will plan to explore this series soon. Also, I have only the vaguest of familiarity with sherry as well, but I may well take your suggestion of pouring myself a wee glass when I begin watching this. Do you have a go-to sherry, or two? Recs are welcomed, genuinely.
As for Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, I appreciated your line that “all these different lives get caught in outline and the real subject turns out to be the psychic toll of service” and later, that “it’s about how vendettas, greed, cliques can rot out an institution.” And I just so enjoyed reading this, along with the level of detail and character observations and commentary on waste and corruption and so much more. I love spoilers, welcome them really, so for me, this was THE best thing to pop up in my inbox today.
I’m starting a read of the le Carré book series and I’m enthralled so far. Haven’t gotten to Tinker Tailor yet but I’m looking forward to it.
This series is one of the best things I’ve ever seen on television, or any screen really. And it does the book justice. By the way, Michael Jayston has since read many of the audiobooks of the le Carré novels, including Tinker, Tailor. When he does Smiley’s voice, he seems to be channeling Alec Guinness.
Ok I stopped reading after first para (no spoilers for me) but have put this straight to the top of my must-watch pile. Classic BBC you say? In multiple parts? Sold. Thanks for the hot tip. 🙏
This was such a fantastically well timed reading experience for me today. I just checked out the 2011 film from the library this week for a rewatch and I watched the film this morning. I had no prior awareness of the 1979 BBC show until reading your piece and my curiosity is now completed peaked and I will plan to explore this series soon. Also, I have only the vaguest of familiarity with sherry as well, but I may well take your suggestion of pouring myself a wee glass when I begin watching this. Do you have a go-to sherry, or two? Recs are welcomed, genuinely.
As for Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, I appreciated your line that “all these different lives get caught in outline and the real subject turns out to be the psychic toll of service” and later, that “it’s about how vendettas, greed, cliques can rot out an institution.” And I just so enjoyed reading this, along with the level of detail and character observations and commentary on waste and corruption and so much more. I love spoilers, welcome them really, so for me, this was THE best thing to pop up in my inbox today.
Thank you for sharing this. 🤓✅