"Smiley's People" (1982) TV series

User Rating:

8.9/10   

Seasons:

1

Release Date:

25 October 1982 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Mystery

Plot:

Called out of retirement to settle the affairs of a friend, Smiley finds his old organization, the Circus...

Plot Keywords:

Insanity | Emigration | Spy | Blackmail | Based On Novel

Awards:

Nominated for 3 Primetime Emmys. Another 4 wins & 6 nominations

Cast

Alec Guinness	...	George Smiley (6 episodes, 1982)
Eileen Atkins	...	Madame Ostrakova (4 episodes, 1982)
Bill Paterson	...	Lauder Strickland (4 episodes, 1982)
Vladek Sheybal	...	Otto Leipzig (4 episodes, 1982)
Andy Bradford	...	Ferguson (4 episodes, 1982)
Bernard Hepton	...	Toby Esterhase (3 episodes, 1982)
Michael Byrne	...	Peter Guillam (3 episodes, 1982)
Anthony Bate	...	Oliver Lacon (3 episodes, 1982)
Tusse Silberg	...	Alexandra Ostrakova (3 episodes, 1982)
Germaine Delbat	...	Madame La Pierre (3 episodes, 1982)

Runtime:

UK:360 min (6 parts)

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Singapore:M18

Filming Locations:

Bern, Kanton Bern, Switzerland

Company:

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)

Trivia:

After watching the early rushes of "Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy" (1979), John Hopkins and John le Carré re-drafted the script of this series to subtly change George Smiley's character to use Alec Guinness's performance to greater effect.

Quotes:

Toby Esterhase: You remember the first rule of retirement, George? No moonlighting, no fooling with loose ends, no private enterprise, ever. You remember who preaches this rule, at Sarratt, in the corridors? George Smiley did. Quote, "When it's over, it's over. Pull down the shutters, go home," unquote. We're over, George. We've got no license. They don't want us anymore.

Movie Connections:

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

One of the great spy films of all time.

Definitely the best film version of the books. More artful than Tinker Tailor and much more intense. The characters are more developed, especially Smiley's. The end of the movie had me on the edge of my seat, the suspense was incredible. If you enjoy spy films, this is absolutely essential viewing.

If only they made films this great all the time! (now available on DVD)