Meme This series has to be one of the most well written TV series in my opinion, the dialogue is so well placed. I never felt a single character say something just for the sake of it or as a filler, everything to the looks that Smiley would give or smirks the actors would occasionally give each other is a part of the character role. It is a slow build up but you never feel it drag. This show is about character development done to its best, and the actors especially the sublime yet superb Alec Guinness and Beryl Reid give a beautiful and profound performance.The story line is well done too, you feel a part of the Cold War era and the spy machinations and the intrigue grip you. This is story writing and telling at its finest. I wish more shows could be made that placed emphasis on good story telling and actors who would invest in bringing characters to life.

walters-323-826046 I won't repeat the glowing reviews of this series that have been repeated ad nauseam. I really enjoyed that most of the intricacies of the book were captured within the series. I loved the country scenes.But, my internal vision of how the story played out was very different to series. Firstly, my vision of the period is slightly later, and this was mostly reflected (I think)was in the speech patterns. The actors spoke towards the front of their mouths, using more formal language than I had envisioned. I know, its the same text. My theory is that I've never been used to that formal style of addressing colleagues, and that that was from a previous era or different culture, or both.The other aspect that struck me was how old and unhealthy they all looked! I'm not a of the American style of everyone being beautiful in film, but to see the major character of the Honourable Schoolboy looking so raddled. It freaked me.So in summary, a great series, but something I should be viewing more as a slice of history.

punishmentpark A second viewing of 'Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy', and it was so easy to watch all episodes in a row in one night once again. I'm not sure who else could play Smiley so perfectly as Alec Guiness did, as I am also not sure if I really want to try the remake with Gary Oldman, even if he is a great actor, too...The story, the acting and the settings in 'Tinker...' are often very much understated and subtle (although there are plenty of emotional eruptions as there are picturesque sceneries), as is Smiley's investigation, which is the wrapped around the many stories that are at play here. Smiley is the ultimate analyst of this complicated world of cloaks and daggers, who brings as much heart as intelligence into the process. After the death of 'Control' (what an appropriate name), he is the one who should put things right, having quite a few bones to pick, but on the other hand, not so much else do either, really. And his wife...? Their conversation at the end, their only one throughout the whole series, tells so much.A very big 9 out of 10 for now.

rich920215 This movie was completely confusing. It is nothing but a bunch of scenes strung together but there is no logical order to them. You could take the film, cut it at every scene junction and then toss the pieces on the floor and let a bunch of goats loose to prance about on them for an hour or two to scramble them up real good. Then pick them up at random and splice the pieces together. You couldn't tell the difference before and after. As long as the opening and closing credits were at the front and back it would be the same movie as what the producers released. This review applies equally to the Alec Guiness and Gary Oldman films. Both aren't worth watching, unless you feel compelled to watch them several times to try to figure them out. Not worth the bother.