- 30/06/2025
Brightened HD copy.
E7. Retired espionage veteran George Smiley is called out on a top secret mission: to uncover a Soviet agent within top MI6's echelons. Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy is a 1979 seven-part drama spy mini-series, directed by John Irvin. Jonathan Powell produced this adaptation of John le Carré's novel Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (1974). The mini-series stars Alec Guinness, Michael Jayston, Ian Richardson, Anthony Bate, Ian Bannen, Hywel Bennett, George Sewell, Beryl Reid, Susan Kodicek, Terence Rigby, Alexander Knox, Michael Aldridge and Patrick Stewart.
E7. Retired espionage veteran George Smiley is called out on a top secret mission: to uncover a Soviet agent within top MI6's echelons. Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy is a 1979 seven-part drama spy mini-series, directed by John Irvin. Jonathan Powell produced this adaptation of John le Carré's novel Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (1974). The mini-series stars Alec Guinness, Michael Jayston, Ian Richardson, Anthony Bate, Ian Bannen, Hywel Bennett, George Sewell, Beryl Reid, Susan Kodicek, Terence Rigby, Alexander Knox, Michael Aldridge and Patrick Stewart.
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Short filmTranscript
00:00The
01:30Check, Peter.
01:50Toby Esterhazy did say two full milk bottles and all's well and you may enter, yes?
01:59Yes, George.
02:00And that's the second time, is it?
02:02Well, let's not pretend we're not nervous.
02:04Check, George.
02:06Ready to record?
02:08Shall we try it?
02:11I'll go upstairs.
02:13What'd you like?
02:15Monteverdi?
02:16Nothing, Berlin?
02:17Mick Jagger?
02:18This machinery, installed at great expense to the British taxpayer, is voice activated.
02:37When I stop speaking, the tape will stop recording.
02:43See?
02:44Old man river, that old man river, he just keeps rolling.
02:54Dooым...
02:54Didi-Di-Di-Di-Di-Di-Di...
02:57Didi-Di-Di-Doodo-Di...
02:58Didi-Di-Dom...
02:59¶¶
03:29¶¶
03:34Hello, here's something.
03:38Soldiers just arriving.
03:40That's all three of them in there now.
03:44Under Stelter's orders.
03:46The important point is who gets away first.
03:50Just going for a walk. Back with you in a minute.
03:59¶¶
04:01¶¶
04:03¶¶
04:05Peter?
04:07¶¶
04:09All clear?
04:10¶¶
04:10As far as I can judge. No promises.
04:12I think you should come down now.
04:18¶¶
04:19Proceed?
04:20Proceed.
04:21¶¶
04:22¶¶
04:24¶¶
04:25¶¶
04:32¶¶
04:33What's that?
04:34Nothing. Just fiddling.
04:39¶¶
04:44¶¶
04:46¶¶
04:49¶¶
04:50you there yes someone just leaving can't quite make him out called a taxi right to the door
05:05cheeky thank you join us
05:20so
05:50So, let's go.
06:20Oh, my God.
06:50Scots. Bloody great big one.
07:10Have you anything on you that you would prefer?
07:20I go to Paris.
07:22He's got to. He can't play just long enough to keep his piquity.
07:26He can't jump the moment when he's on Chelsea.
07:29And he knows tar would never stick his neck up.
07:35Something to buy back his good leg.
07:38And then some.
07:46So what it is.
07:48Carla's got 24 hours.
07:50Here we are.
07:52Here.
07:54Here.
07:55Here.
07:56Here.
07:57Here.
07:58Here.
07:59Here.
08:00Here.
08:01Here.
08:02Here.
08:03Here.
08:04Here.
08:05Here.
08:06Here.
08:07Here.
08:08Here.
08:09Here.
08:10Here.
08:11Here.
08:12Here.
08:13Here.
08:14you you you butchered my agent how many since how many 200 three four stop that
08:38right are you armed Bill I'm a Soviet diplomat this behavior shut up
08:44Peter will you please telephone Percy Alanine and ask him and Roy Bland to come here immediately
08:49then Lake on then Toby Esterhazy I think the first thing to do is to play them this evening's tapes
08:55that should save a great deal of time in explanations and you've got any Alex really
09:04oh they're on do you mind if I finish my drink George there was no one out there you noticed
09:13quiet as a grave very proper George don't want anything irrelevant do we very tidy George
09:24he's got to he'll delay just long enough to keep his dignity he can't jump the moment Ricky
09:34Todd tells him to we know this tower would never stick his neck out like this unless he's got
09:39something precious something to buy back his good name and then some and you and I know what it is
09:49Carla's got 24 hours to pull me out the time has come Alex
09:56well that's that congratulations George next step gentlemen would you agree with me Percy that our best
10:10course is to make some positive use of Bill Hayden we need to salvage whatever's left of the networks
10:18he's betrayed yes we sell Bill to Moscow Center for as many of our men in the field as can be saved
10:28for humanitarian reasons professionally of course they're finished quite and the sooner you open
10:39negotiations with Carla the better well you are much better place to talk terms with our friend
10:44downstairs than I am Polyakov remains your direct link with Carla the only difference is this time
10:52you know it it's definitely your job Percy you're still chief officially for the moment very well George
11:03excuse me sir mr. Gilliam says is it all right if the inquisitors take mr. Hayden away now
11:08shall I go first
11:30all the best Percy
11:44I want fawn to stay
11:57I can't
12:27I'm sorry about the assault unprofessional it was just that it would have to be Bill
12:52Hayden wouldn't it he was always our hero in capital letters I mean for the younger lot my
13:01kind anyway the antiquated English Patriot never mind all the dirt we have to do it's for England
13:10the funny thing about all this it's quite an effort now not to think of him with affection
13:22I suppose Bill would say that means you've grown up Peter always good for a laugh wasn't he Bill
13:33I'd like to thank you by the way you helped enormously no truly Peter
13:52I'm
13:59I'm
14:01I'm
14:03I'm
14:05I'm
14:07I'm
14:09I'm
14:12I'm
14:15I'm
14:16I'm
14:17I'm
14:18I'm
14:19I'm
14:20I'm
14:21I'm
14:22I'm
14:23I'm
14:24I'm
14:25I'm
14:26I'm
14:27I'm
14:28I'm
14:29I'm
14:30I'm
14:31I'm
14:32I'm
14:33I'm
14:34I'm
14:35I'm
14:36I'm
14:37I'm
14:38I'm
14:39I'm
14:40I'm
14:41I'm
14:42I don't know.
15:12Let's go.
15:42Lacon assures me there's been no coercion. I hope that's true.
15:52Oh, yes. No complaints, George. Bit of a nosebleed. Keep feeling dizzy. I'm sure it's just the excitement of it all.
16:00Why have you been weeping?
16:03Share exasperation. Really, the pettiness of our inquisitors. They're utterly incompetent.
16:08They actually believe I know the names of Carla's other moles around the world.
16:13Idiots. I can't talk to people like that.
16:16But you're prepared to say something to me, according to Lacon.
16:19Can't Percy get a move on doing his horse training with Carla?
16:23Oh, I'm sure it'll only be a matter of a day or two now.
16:27What do you want to know?
16:30Oh.
16:30Oh. Why? When? How?
16:35Why?
16:39You ask that.
16:42Because it was necessary.
16:44That's why.
16:45Someone had to.
16:52We were bluffed.
16:54You, me, control, all of us.
16:58The circus talent spotters all those years ago, they picked us when we were golden with hope.
17:04Told us we were on our way to the Holy Grail.
17:06A lifetime of glory in front of us.
17:09Service to the great cause.
17:12Freedom's protectors.
17:15God.
17:17What a question.
17:20Why?
17:21God.
17:41God.
17:42Do you know what's killing Western democracy, George?
17:56Greed and constipation.
18:00Moral, political, ascetic.
18:04I hate America very deeply.
18:07The economic repression of the masses.
18:10It's institutionalized.
18:14Even Lenin couldn't foresee the extent of that.
18:19Britain?
18:22Oh, dear.
18:24No viability whatever in world affairs.
18:30I suppose that's when it began.
18:33Turning my eyes to the East, I mean.
18:36When I saw how trivial we'd become as a nation.
18:40Say, mid-40s.
18:43By 1950, I was slipping Carla occasional gifts of intelligence.
18:48Carefully selected morsels to help the Russian cause against America.
18:52At that time, I was scrupulous not to give Moscow anything harmful to ourselves, our own agents in the field.
19:00I still believe the secret services are the only real expression of a nation's character.
19:13Until the mid-50s, I still had hopes.
19:17Lingering loyalty to what we represented.
19:22Self-delusion, of course.
19:27We were already America's streetwalkers.
19:31I was granted Soviet citizenship 12 years ago.
19:45They've given me a couple of medals.
19:47What medals?
19:51I didn't ask him.
19:53Does it matter?
19:54Quite a lot to bill, one supposes.
19:56Possibly.
19:57We're going to get a bit more from him, I hope.
20:04I do hope so, George.
20:06He's right about the state of affairs down there.
20:09Slovenly.
20:10They don't even patrol the perimeter, day or night.
20:13I have mentioned it.
20:14The thinking on Sarat is that it should be as inconspicuous as possible.
20:17I'm concerned for Hayden's safety.
20:21Aren't you being a little overdramatic?
20:23The only place he can go to is Russia, and we're sending him there anyway.
20:31The number of people who need to be told about all this, as we agree, must be kept as small as possible.
20:39I suppose your wife will have to be among them.
20:42I know you told me she and Hayden were over and done with now, as you said, but...
20:47There's always the unknown factor in matters of the heart, isn't there?
20:54I'm thinking about the future, any possible further contact.
20:58And if Anne doesn't know, she does meet so many different sorts of people.
21:04She gets around.
21:05I'm sorry, George.
21:07Not at all.
21:08I quite take your point.
21:10Anne must let us know of any approach, directly or indirectly, made by or on behalf of...
21:16Exactly.
21:17Or even apparently on behalf of, or merely concerning, Bill Hayden.
21:24I was going to tell her anyway.
21:28You might call it balancing the books.
21:31Absolutely.
21:32Absolutely.
21:34You know, George, one thing perplexes me more than anything else about the mole conspiracy.
21:38Carla devised Operation Witchcraft, primarily as a means of putting poor Percy Aliline on Control's throne.
21:47But why didn't Carla want Hayden to take over the circus himself?
21:51It surely would have been less difficult to arrange with all Bill's acknowledged accomplishments.
21:56No, no.
21:57We had the perfect set-up.
22:01Percy made the running.
22:03I slipstreamed behind him.
22:04Roy and Toby did the legwork.
22:07Far better for me to remain the freewheeling subordinate.
22:10The laughing cavalier.
22:14Being in charge could have bogged me down.
22:17Too much admin, diary full of meetings, dinners, chewing the cud in Whitehall.
22:21Never happened to Control.
22:22A natural recluse Control.
22:24I couldn't have behaved like that and got away with it.
22:28No, no, George.
22:30Carla and I agreed.
22:32I'd have been wasted as chief.
22:35Could have done it, of course.
22:36Of course.
22:39I'd like to go inside now.
22:54And some of that rain will be turning to snow.
23:04So let's put some detail on the weather now for you.
23:06And recently, I think you'll see a pretty miserable picture of the whole country covered in clouds and rain.
23:11Yes, you're right.
23:13The Czechoslovakian business was a bit of a desperate throw.
23:18But something pretty bold was called for.
23:20I was certain Control was getting very warm indeed.
23:23All that burrowing in the files he was doing.
23:29It was paying off, I knew.
23:31He'd built up an uncomfortably impressive inventory of the number of operations I'd either blown or managed to cripple.
23:38And then, of course, he was narrowing his field of suspects.
23:41A short list of officers of a certain age, experience, rank.
23:46Hmm.
23:48He did well, considering he was so ill.
23:52Surprised, Carla.
23:53Was the offer of information from General Stepchak genuine?
23:59Good Lord, no.
24:00It was a fix from start to finish.
24:03Stepchak existed, of course.
24:04Still does.
24:05Very distinguished man.
24:07But he never offered anything to Control or anybody else.
24:10Did you expect Control to send Jim Predo?
24:15Well, obviously, we needed to be certain Control would rise to the bait.
24:24We had to spell it out that he'd got to send a big gun to make the story stick.
24:30And we knew he'd only settle for someone outside London Station.
24:34Someone he trusted.
24:35And someone who spoke Czech, of course.
24:38Naturally.
24:39It had to be a man who was old circus.
24:45To bring the temple down a bit.
24:47Yes, I see the logic of that.
24:49It was perhaps the most famous partnership the circus ever had.
24:58You and Jim.
24:59Back in the old days.
25:01The iron fist in the iron glove.
25:04Who was it who coined that?
25:05I got him home, didn't I?
25:17Yes.
25:19That was good of you.
25:35The thing with Anne was Carla's idea.
25:43Was it?
25:44Yes.
25:46Did you think it was hers?
25:55The point was, Carla always thought if there was a threat, it would come from you.
26:03He said you were quite good.
26:06But that you had this one weak spot.
26:09Anne.
26:12It was a double fix, actually.
26:15On the one hand, you weren't likely to think of me as a circus spy.
26:19You were preoccupied with what your wife and I got up to in bed.
26:23And on the other, if it was well known around the place that I was her lover,
26:29it was bound to look like personal vengeance, if you ever did suggest I might be the mole.
26:35So Carla said not to strain it, but, if possible, join the queue.
26:46Point?
26:46Point?
26:47Point.
26:52Presumably it was on Carla's instructions you were with Anne on the night of the Predo shoot-up, as insurance.
26:59Oh, yes, he was adamant on that.
27:02They tell me I could be away tomorrow, or the day after at the latest.
27:14Can you make sure any mail gets forwarded from my club?
27:20Oh, and the balance of my salary, of course.
27:23I will.
27:30Anything else?
27:32Oh, yes.
27:33Nearly forgot.
27:37You've got a pen somewhere?
27:44Thanks.
27:48Girlfriend.
27:49Give her this.
27:56I'm away on work of national importance.
28:02Maybe for years.
28:06So she can forget me.
28:12And I can't take her with me, can I?
28:14Even if I could, she'd be a bloody millstone.
28:24Oh, and, um...
28:26There's one particular boy.
28:35A cherub, but no angel.
28:37I haven't seen a lot of him.
28:41We'd better give him a couple of hundred.
28:46Can you do that out of the reptile fund?
28:49I would think so.
28:50Good.
28:54Oh, God, I'm tired.
28:59My pen, please.
29:01What?
29:02Oh, certainly.
29:08Sorry.
29:32Turn the ground, Bill.
30:00Turn the ground, Bill.
30:01Oh, it's you, Jim.
30:07Come to say goodbye?
30:10Nice of you.
30:16I'm glad to see you haven't lost your touch.
30:20Must be in pretty good shape.
30:24Why did you get me back?
30:27I couldn't leave you rotting in a Czech prison.
30:29Russian.
30:34Why didn't Carla finish me off?
30:37Was that out of delicacy to you?
30:42Wasn't that, was it?
30:44You both thought that a corpse might create a lot more of us than just another repatriated, harmless cripple, didn't you?
30:50The shooting wasn't part of the plan, Jim.
30:52The shooting wasn't part of the plan, Jim.
30:55No, not the shooting.
31:00But everything else.
31:01I'm sorry.
31:02I didn't, I didn't see you were at the same time.
31:03I didn't see you.
31:03I didn't see you.
31:04You guys didn't see you.
31:04I didn't see you.
31:05I don't think I was about to leave you alone.
31:05I was waiting for you to act like that, but you will get to me.
31:06You won't go into work.
31:06In this case, you don't get to meet you.
31:08I don't see you.
31:08I haven't kicked your feet.
31:09You'll go, well, I don't think I am.
31:10It's not from the station.
31:10You won't be a room to remain for you, I don't think I am.
31:12I don't think I am.
31:12You can't believe in that.
31:12I hope you will get to be a honour.
31:12I am in real life.
31:14You will make me.
31:14And that food shall be for store to the land against the seven years of famine which shall be in the land of Egypt,
31:43that the land perish not through the famine.
31:47And the thing was good in the eyes of Pharaoh and in the eyes of all his servants.
31:53And Pharaoh said unto his servants, Can we find such a one as this, a man in whom the Spirit of God is?
32:02And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, For as much as God hath shewed thee all this,
32:09For as much as God hath shewed...
32:13For as much as God hath shewed...
32:25For as much as God hath shewed thee all this...
32:40For as much as God hath shewed thee all this...
32:45There is none so discreet and wise as thou art.
32:49Thou shalt be over my house, and according unto thy word shall all my people be warned.
32:56Only in the throne will I be graced...
32:59It seems that at half past ten Hayden told the guards he felt a bit sick, and he thought a breath of air would help him.
33:18Because his case was now considered closed, they saw no reason to tear themselves away from some horror film that had just started on the television.
33:27And they let him wander off.
33:30Half an hour later they thought they'd better go and look for him.
33:33He'd received no letters, messages during the day.
33:37I was the only outsider to see him.
33:41But his suit had come back from the cleaners.
33:45Possibly a message was concealed in it inviting him to a rendezvous.
33:50The guards had not inspected the suit before giving it to him.
33:54I'm afraid that doesn't surprise me.
34:00Any comments, anyone?
34:03Well, if someone went to the cleaners, said he'd lost his ticket, could he look through the stuff ready for collection?
34:12That's one way.
34:16Would the Russians kill Hayden?
34:19It gives Kala all the reason he needs to cancel the deal on our networks.
34:26But Moscow Centre prides itself on getting its people back.
34:32Important point, right?
34:42Well, who then?
34:49We will all, of course, have to account for our movements.
35:03Last night.
35:04Necessary formality.
35:06Also mental, form, rickietar.
35:09Then, as to the future,
35:13I've been asked to look after things for a while.
35:17I'd like everyone to take some leave.
35:32And afterwards, there'll be some redeployment.
35:35For those of you who wish to remain with the service.
35:42For those of you who wish to remain with the service.
36:05For those of you who wish to remain with the service.
36:06For those of you who wish to remain with the service.
36:07For those of you who wish to remain with the service.
36:08For those of you who wish to remain with the service.
36:09For those of you who wish to remain with the service.
36:10For those of you who wish to remain with the service.
36:11For those of you who wish to remain with the service.
36:12For those of you who wish to remain with the service.
36:13For those of you who wish to remain with the service.
36:14For those of you who wish to remain with the service.
36:15For those of you who wish to remain with the service.
36:16For those of you who wish to remain with the service.
36:17For those of you who wish to remain with the service.
36:18For those of you who wish to remain with the service.
36:19For those of you who wish to remain with the service.
36:20George!
36:47Hello.
36:48Anne.
36:51Just the same.
37:01You two?
37:05No.
37:07Julian, was that his name?
37:10Jake.
37:12Anne, no Jake. Gone.
37:15I actually got a job somewhere.
37:17I'm quite free at the moment.
37:20Enjoying it?
37:22Uncle Gauzelgatz is away to Madrid, so I've got the house all to myself.
37:26I brought you this.
37:28It goes, um...
37:32Oh, George.
37:34Oh, George.
37:36Very nice of you.
37:40Well, what's been happening? How have you all been?
37:43Did Bill say anything about me?
37:53I mean...
37:55Me as a person, what he thought about me?
37:58Not really.
38:00Are you glad he's dead?
38:03Please...
38:05Don't say not really.
38:07No, I'm not glad.
38:10There was a moment when I knew.
38:14When I heard his voice talking to Polyakov.
38:18Just for a moment I wanted to shoot him.
38:21But it passed.
38:23Bill...
38:25Bill...
38:26Betrayed...
38:27Totally, didn't he?
38:28Everything.
38:29Everyone.
38:32Was he taking some kind of revenge?
38:34He must have talked to you quite a lot.
38:36Should I have passed all that on to you?
38:39Pillow talk?
38:40No.
38:44Describe, Bill.
38:48Yet another man trying to find a little place in history.
38:52Oh, but George.
38:54Bill standing at the centre of some secret stage playing world against world.
38:58He had a wonderful time.
39:00He enjoyed himself.
39:02He loved being a traitor.
39:05I'm glad he's dead. His life was over.
39:08I'm glad for him.
39:13Did you love him?
39:18Anne!
39:20Did you?
39:27No, George.
39:34Poor George.
39:35Life's such a puzzle to you, isn't it?
39:39Lord, now lettest thou thy servants departs in peace.
39:40Lord, now lettest thou thy servants departs in peace.
39:49Lord, now lettest thou thy servants departs in peace.
39:50Lord, now lettest thou thy servants departs in peace.
39:59Thank you, God.
40:01According to thy word.
40:09According to thy word.
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