Review of Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy

Introduction

I do enjoy a good spy yarn. Be it charming parodies such as Our Man Flint, action films with a certain 007, Man from U.N.C.L.E. and more modern action films like True Lies. Flicking through for anything interesting at my local library led to something that has been on television many times since it was made in 1974, but remained a mystery to me. Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy never appealed when I was younger; I was more into gadgets, high-tech, explosions and the stuff boys dream about. This, on the other hand, has a different story and a different set of characters at its heart.

Written by best selling novelist, John Le Carré and adapted by the BBC, Tinker, Tailor tells the story of an investigation by George Smiley (Alec Guinness) into a mole simply named "Gerald" who`s infiltrated `The Circus` (MI6 to you and me). Operations and agents have been compromised as secrets flow from the west back to Mother Russia. Who is "Gerald"? Smiley probes into the affair and slowly unravels the pieces...

Video

Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy was made in 1974 so it comes with a 4:3 fullframe video transfer. Colours are a bit washed out and detail is fair though there`s quite a bit of dirt and grain present throughout the series. The quality however while average at best, doesn`t distract too much from the onscreen drama.

The sole extra, The Secret Centre, is widescreen enhanced and looks very good.

Audio

With just a mono Dolby Digital soundtrack Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy sounds fine. It`s mainly dialogue driven so this is clear from the centre. There`s minimal hiss in the background but it`s nothing to complain about.

Features

Easy to navigate static menus with just one extra on disc two:

• The Secret Centre (57:08) (widescreen enhanced) - This is a nice little documentary/interview about the author himself, John Le Carré, and covers his time growing up, joining the secret service and a few other things to boot. Worth watching.

There are English subtitles. Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy is presented in a slim 2-disc clear keep case with chapter breaks on the reverse of the inlay.

Conclusion

Having never seen this spy drama when it first aired (I was only 3 at the time!), or ever since, I was intrigued when I saw it at my library so dived straight in. I love spy films and anything espionage/spy related so this was a must see. However, having been brought up on the more visceral nature of spy action films, Tinker, Tailor, Soldier Spy is a different beast. Had I read any of Le Carré`s novels I may have had a better idea of what I was letting myself in for. This isn`t an action film and doesn`t contain the same kind of high-spirited drama that you might see in True Lies, or any Bond film. Set against the backdrop of the Cold War you get a taste of the decline of the British Empire and the betrayals that ensue. Interesting stuff.

This is one spy drama, which excels in character performance. The slow pace of the story might put some off persevering through all 315-minutes but I would say it`s worth the trouble. It`s a slow burning conspiracy tale with a wonderful performance from Alec Guinness as an investigator. He`s not the only one here worthy of praise either. Ian Richardson, Patrick Stewart (in an effective non-speaking role), Joss Ackland and Bernard Hepton all turn in fine performances too. One thing that is touched upon but never really explored to any depth is that of George Smiley`s (Alec Guinness) wife, Ann. It`s hard to see where the connection between them as husband and wife lay when we see them onscreen together. Nonetheless, Guinness` performance tells you quite a bit when the mere mention of his wife and her indiscretions are laid bare.

For something almost 20-years old, it`s nice that one extra has been included, The Secret Centre, all about Le Carré. The Cold War was over a long time ago, but this story hasn`t really aged much at all. All in all, this is worth renting if you`re looking for a slow burning drama.