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Description

This dramatisation of John Le Carré’s novel proved a landmark in British television. It received supreme critical acclaim for the screenplay by Arthur Hopcraft, the star Sir Alec Guinness and the camerawork of Tony Pierce-Roberts. In Sir Alec Guinness’s first major TV role he plays George Smiley, a retired agent who is secretly brought into ‘the Circus’ (the code name for British Secret Intelligence Service) to root out a top-level mole. Gradually piecing together the story, the weary but determined Smiley trawls through the murky waters of Cold War espionage and his own past.

iTunes Store: Customer Reviews

Quality

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ltdasteve
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2017-12-07
Unbelievably well made, acted and produced, unfortunately it highlights how it should be done and how poor today’s productions are! Reliably informed it tells it how it was as well!

The best of the best

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Tender buttons
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2015-12-26
This is impeccable. The camerawork, casting, plot, and attention to detail make this one of the best television series ever produced. A classic. I watch it at least once a year, and it hasn't lost its immediacy or suspense. Entirely brilliant. Incredibly powerful and understated acting.

Still exceptional, even after 30+ years

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Lord frazer
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2013-04-21
This is exactly how television drama should be. Brilliantly acted, the adaptation from the book was excellent. I haven't seen anything to compare with it, except perhaps the follow up series, and latterly the Wire, which seems like a strange comparison, but the link is in the fact that both programmes give the viewer credit with being able to follow relatively complex plot lines . Well worth the money. One of the few things I can watch again and again!

The best Television drama ever

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onepostonly
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2012-05-19
Fantastic performances, the casting is perfect, moves along at a steady pace and captures the spy world perfectly. The. Best. Television. Drama. Ever

Very borring

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Kornello11
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2012-02-29
Boring

Well Worth The Effort!

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Micky Bubbs
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2011-12-02
A slice of cold war drama that doesn't disappoint. The plot and acting is genius and it keeps you guessing until the end. Make notes, rewind bits to double check, what was said. Very little action per se, but it's all about the dialogue……….

Will watch again

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jasonnzl
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2011-11-27
Just watched the series on a flight from London to Chicago. To be honest, I was slightly confused, but unlike the shows of today, the series doesn't dumb down to the lowest common denominator and you have to pay attention. I'd like to watch it again and am also looking forward to the movie. Overall, a great series.

Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy

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Minstels
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2011-11-15
Saw the new movie recently so bought the series to compare.Obviously it's longer so therefore more detailed and stays closer to the book.The acting by all characters is superb but Alec Guiness's Smilie is still the definitive portrayal.Because it was made in 1979 it is able to capture the atmosphere of that time easily so it is a compliment to the new film that it is also able to take the viewer back to that era.Due to the compexity of the story and it's reliance on several flashbacks it may be necessary to watch the series more than once(it certainly was for me!)Don't expect a great deal of action but make sure your powers of concentration are fully engaged when watching.I was in my early thirties when the series was first released and didn't fully appreciate it then.I am significantly older now and have found it a much more worthwhile reflection of the cold war and the tensions and subtafuge that existed then.I suppose the modern series of 'Spooks' is of a similar genre but does not possess the gritty realism and character fallibility demonstrated in 'T,T,S,S'
Really glad I went back to the series and would recommend it to any Le Carre fans and those who grew up in the time of the cold war.

One of my favorite storys

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Ben Tarrant
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2011-11-13
Fantastic. I saw the film the other week and much as I enjoyed it I still think that the original tv series was better. Some of the parts were better cast in the film - John Hurt as Control was a masterpiece - but the story is too complex to be told in a mere couple of hours. I would definitly recomend it....
...and the book
....and the radio 4 dramatisation
It is just such a brilliant story.

Don't tinker with the plots, its just too damn good!

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The Chairman DB
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2011-09-25
Despite the hype about the recent film release of Tinker, Tailor it fails in comparison to the TV version staring Sir Alec Guiness. This is a real masterpiece!

Best Ever

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Piefaced Boy
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2011-09-22
Just the very best TV series ever - superbly acted, directed, and shot , with exactly the right music . The pace is of a kind you don't get any more because TV producers are terrified of an audience not staying with it - but when it's as good as this you realise what you've been missing!

Where is episode 2

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Bashbiz
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2011-09-15
Great program made from a fantastic book but where is episode 2. Very annoying.

?????????????

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Essexblackrat
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2011-09-14
Where the hell is episode two???????????????????????????????

Where is Episode 2?

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AROE
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2011-09-14
Come on Apple sort it out.. I can't start watching this when episode 2 is missing...

Just Brilliant

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DevilBeard
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2011-09-12
Watched it back to back in one sitting over the weekend. Alec Guinness is wonderful as George Smiley.
If you enjoy wonderfully acted, atmospheric and suspenseful drama, you simply must watch this.

Tinker Talior

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Nordog
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2011-09-09
This series is 30 years old but is stupendous, brilliant and has not dated one iota!
Buy it!

Fantastic

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Karmapanda
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2011-09-09
This is a superb drama based on an excellent novel by John le Carre. The film of this will be out soon and will probably be very good, but dont let that put you off seeking out this very well acted and suspenseful drama wrapped around an iconic performance by Sir Alec Guinness.

d.g. price

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dg price
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2011-09-07
Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy...........Alex Guinness and the cream of British actors, one word.....FANTASTIC !

The Best

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Adepalady
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2011-09-07
I must admit firstly I'm a Tinker, Tailor nut and I have loved all of Alec Guinness work ever since The Lady Killers (not to mention Star Wars) I'm sure the new film will be great and the audio books are also very very good, but this TV series tops them all. It is just great and a great way to get into the story for the first time.
Its a must.