Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy :: Then :: Now

A while back I borrowed the British tv series Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy from my friend’s grandfather. I like it for the British 70′s styling, but the pace is always a little too slow for me on late nights when I choose movie over reading. Espionage is my favorite subject any way you tell it.

Though, there is something about the main character, George Smiley, that I think is just charming. It’s the man who played him. Alec Guiness. I just want to hug his scarf wrapped neck.

I was eager to see who the new version of the story chose to cast as my favorite ex-Circus leader. Gary Oldman did a fantastic job even though he didn’t have the big cheeks I loved in the British version.

My favorite George Smiley is below. Such a sweet old man. I thought the movie was excellent. The novel is difficult to follow, so I applaud the director’s ability to tell a tough story through flashbacks that often didn’t make sense during the tv series.