Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy

[jyl]

Just saw this. I don't know how easy it is to understand the plot if you haven't read the book. But who cares, this is one of the best, most expertly done, period movies I have ever seen.

It is set in 1970s Britain, a time familiar enough to old farts like me that even the smallest mistake will be glaring, and there is none. My friends grew up in Britain in the 1970s, one is a movie director, and they were awed by the set dressing, costuming, etc.

And instead of the typical period set movie which is present-day men doing their present-day thing in what happens to be the [fill in the blank] era - the current Sherlock Holmes movie is a perfect example - this is 1970s men looking and acting, speaking and thinking, like men in the 1970s.

It is a brilliant movie, that won't be in the theatres long. See it.

[herr_oberst]

I've been trying to get the Netflix discs of the original series before I see it at the theatre, they're currently listed at very long wait. Have been for weeks.

I guess I better go and see it this weekend.

[DeutschMark]

The original version is excellent. Rent it from your local library. Don't forget "Smiley's People" as well.

[Dottore]

I saw it last week and really liked it but....

The original BBC version with Alec Guiness is a 100 times better. In fact that whole BBC series "A Perfect Spy", "Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy" and "Smileys People" is IMO one of the very best TV adaptations ever. Of anything.

This remake is so "dense" that it is virtually impossible to understand if you haven't seen the original or read the book. Everyone in the cinema was scratching their head and saying "WTF"?

Also, because it is so short, the characters simply aren't developed and rather flat IMO.

[jyl]

I re-read the book before seeing the movie. My friend did as well.

He regretted having re-read the book, as he felt he'd lost the excitement and suspense of puzzling out the plot.

I, remembering from 20 years ago what a dense story Tinker Tailor was, felt that the plot would be difficult to understand, and wanted to enjoy the performances and atmosphere without being confused for 90 minutes.