Frequently Bought Together
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Product Details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
Customer Reviews
Most helpful customer reviews
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
By M. McGee
Excellent TV series. Production on DVD runs almost 6 hours on 3 DVDs. Every actor in this production can actually act. Worth the purchase price just to see Guinness. If you have not read the book, go ahead and watch the DVD, read the book, then watch the DVD again. They are complimentary, neither the book nor the DVD spoil each other. It was originally a TV series, so don't expect excellent video quality or wide screen, it was shot in the late 70's for tv.
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
By Kurt A. Johnson
TOP 1000 REVIEWER
The aging head of the British Secret Intelligence Service ("the Circus") has discovered that the Soviets have a very highly-placed mole within his organization. However, before he can discover who the mole is, he dies of natural causes, taking the secret of the mole's existence with him. However, when the mole is again suspected, the government has no one to turn to, except for the retired spymaster, George Smiley (played by Alec Guinness). Trusting no one inside the Circus, Smiley must discover who the mole is, and plug the leak.
I remember all the talk when this miniseries came out in 1979, and now I get to see it again! This is a fascinating story, a mystery that will keep you on the edge of your seat, as Smiley tracks his mole. I enjoyed this miniseries (on 3 DVDs) as much now, as I did then, and do not hesitate to recommend it to you.
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Old, owlish, bookish George Smiley, retired spymaster, is approached in dead of night to covertly journey through the archived past to reassemble the threads and events surrounding the capture and torture of a British spy (and the forced retirement of Smiley and his discredited mentor). Smiley's slow, methodical work (through back door interview, through deduction, and through anecdote and flashback presented to the viewer) confirms the existance of a 'mole'. He prepares a plan to flush out the person (hidden among several probable), and puts it in motion.
I recorded this film off PBS (6 hours on Beta!) over three nights in the early 80's. Very, very slowly, the story draws the viewer in as George Smiley peels off layers of deception to get to the hidden core. The dialogue tosses around terms like 'mole' and 'safe house', and slang for the intellegence trade, that adds British flavor to an atmosphere of sad menace. The story is well-crafted; the melancholy atmospheres suggest a drawing-room who-done-it mystery. A conscious effort to be patient is necessary to appreciate the author (and the unmatched Alec Guinness) as they untangle the threads of an inside-out puzzle linked to code names like 'Testify' and 'Gerald'.
Recommendation: Buy the DVD(s) and set aside 2-3 evenings to watch. Then watch it again to see the missed clues, many subplots, and to appreciate the strength of the ensemble. On the other hand, if half hour plot resolutions are your forte', this probably moves too slowly; consider another movie instead.
Want to see more reviews on this item?
›
Go to Amazon.com to see all 194 reviews
4.3 out of 5 stars
Most recent customer reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
There won't be a better one
This TV production is based on Le Carre's excellent book, and therefore has a lot to live up to. I admit I haven't seen the more recent movie version, but I don't see how you can... Read more
Published 4 days ago by Kevin J. Ford
5.0 out of 5 stars
A different time, a different place
It is difficult to stop watching this once started, it is like a good book that you cannot put down. Read more
Published 14 months ago by J. MacPherson
5.0 out of 5 stars
Simply the Best
Save yourself a few bucks and buy the 2 disc version from the U.K.The picture quality is relatively good and the movie is all there. Read more
Published on May 5 2005 by S.L.S
5.0 out of 5 stars
Like the book? This production will blow you away!
Sometime in the early 80's in New York I was working on something and looked up at the TV because I knew I recognized that man speaking ... who is that? Oh right! Read more
Published on July 18 2004 by Nom de Plume
5.0 out of 5 stars
TV that exceeds all boundaries
While I agree with the prior reviewer that Tinker Tailor (and its companion Smiley's People) are excellent TV, their comments about the state of American TV are perhaps... Read more
Published on Jun 16 2004
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Real Cold War? US vrs Brit TV (and boy are we losing)
Tinker Tailor, Smiley's People, Prime Suspect, The Singing Detective, The Office, Elizabeth R, Six Wives of Henry the Eighth, House of Cards ..... Read more
Published on Jun 15 2004
4.0 out of 5 stars
Good adaptation of Le Carre
Le Carre is not Tom Clancy. I happen to like them both, but this is espionage like it probably really is. A slow political chess game.
Published on May 25 2004 by D. Mitchell
5.0 out of 5 stars
Slow, methodical, but relentless
The opening shot sets the tone of the entire six hours. We see a dingy meeting room in an old London office building. Read more
Published on May 18 2004 by Vincent Poirier
5.0 out of 5 stars
A thorough presentaiton of le Carre's classic story
Regarding Theresa C. Shaton's note about the Ricky Tarr plot-line apparently missing, I can't speak for anyone else, but my copy of the DVD certainly seems to have it. Read more
Published on May 11 2004
5.0 out of 5 stars
I stand corrected
I re-ordered Tinker, Tailor--fortunately! I was convinced by that one response that I had indeed received a faulty copy. Read more
Published on May 8 2004 by Theresa C. Shaton
Listmania!
Look for similar items by category
Feedback
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
