John le Carré's masterpiece, adapted for the BBC in 1979, is a perfect snapshot of Britain in decline, managing its post-imperial malaise in a changing world
One further point, the middle book of the Karla Trilogy - The Honourable Schoolboy - is neglected. Its got Gerry Westerby, Connie Sach's &Doc di Salis an equally strange China-watcher; meetings-as-combat etc. I think it was never filmed as, set in Hong Kong and IndoChina, it was too expensive. I might be made now, but who would believe a China that was closed to the world and impoverished?
Mendel. Smileys retired SB man. He features and was played superbly by George Sewell. I felt a flicker of acknowledgement. One old Branch man to another.
An excellent read, thank you very much! Having read the trilogy twice through and watched the series any number of times, I like all your backstory details here. Also that you've caught the coiled anger of Guillam-Jayston so perfectly; in the presence of other powerhouse performances he can be unfairly overlooked. I will recommend the film only to those long steeped in the minutia of the original material. The film def. has some casting mistakes but that Christmas party scene almost makes up for it; also prefer Tom Hardy's Rickie Tarr but this may need further discussion over pints :-)
Truly superb account. I would like modestly to add that Ian Bannen gives an intense, seething performance that captures an existential turmoil that is institutional, political, and ultimately personal because it is Haydon, his closest friend, who not only betrayed the Circus, but also him. In this world, betrayal runs very, very deep.
One further point, the middle book of the Karla Trilogy - The Honourable Schoolboy - is neglected. Its got Gerry Westerby, Connie Sach's &Doc di Salis an equally strange China-watcher; meetings-as-combat etc. I think it was never filmed as, set in Hong Kong and IndoChina, it was too expensive. I might be made now, but who would believe a China that was closed to the world and impoverished?
Mendel. Smileys retired SB man. He features and was played superbly by George Sewell. I felt a flicker of acknowledgement. One old Branch man to another.
An excellent read, thank you very much! Having read the trilogy twice through and watched the series any number of times, I like all your backstory details here. Also that you've caught the coiled anger of Guillam-Jayston so perfectly; in the presence of other powerhouse performances he can be unfairly overlooked. I will recommend the film only to those long steeped in the minutia of the original material. The film def. has some casting mistakes but that Christmas party scene almost makes up for it; also prefer Tom Hardy's Rickie Tarr but this may need further discussion over pints :-)
Truly superb account. I would like modestly to add that Ian Bannen gives an intense, seething performance that captures an existential turmoil that is institutional, political, and ultimately personal because it is Haydon, his closest friend, who not only betrayed the Circus, but also him. In this world, betrayal runs very, very deep.