"Smiley's People" (1982) TV series

User Rating:

9.0/10   

Seasons:

1

Release Date:

25 October 1982 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Mystery

Plot:

Called out of retirement to settle the affairs of a friend, Smiley finds his old organization, the Circus...

Plot Keywords:

Insanity | Emigration | Spy | Blackmail | Based On Novel

Awards:

Nominated for 3 Primetime Emmys. Another 4 wins & 6 nominations

Cast

Alec Guinness	...	George Smiley (6 episodes, 1982)
Eileen Atkins	...	Madame Ostrakova (4 episodes, 1982)
Bill Paterson	...	Lauder Strickland (4 episodes, 1982)
Vladek Sheybal	...	Otto Leipzig (4 episodes, 1982)
Andy Bradford	...	Ferguson (4 episodes, 1982)
Bernard Hepton	...	Toby Esterhase (3 episodes, 1982)
Michael Byrne	...	Peter Guillam (3 episodes, 1982)
Anthony Bate	...	Oliver Lacon (3 episodes, 1982)
Tusse Silberg	...	Alexandra Ostrakova (3 episodes, 1982)
Germaine Delbat	...	Madame La Pierre (3 episodes, 1982)

Runtime:

UK:360 min (6 parts)

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Singapore:M18

Filming Locations:

Bern, Kanton Bern, Switzerland

Company:

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)

Trivia:

The flat Smiley searches in Episode 2 is #6B. This is also the flat number of Sir William and Lady Beeder in another Alec Guinness film, The Horse's Mouth (1958).

Quotes:

George Smiley: You are Counselor Anton Grigoriev of the Soviet Embassy in Bern, yes?
Anton Grigoriov: Grigoriev? I am Grigoriev. Yes, well done! I am Grigoriev! And who are you, please? Al Capone? Who are you? And why do you rumble at me like a commissar?
George Smiley: Then, Counselor, since we cannot afford to delay, I suggest you study the incriminating photographs on the table beside you.

Movie Connections:

Follows The Spy Who Came in from the Cold (1965)

Smiley comes out of retirement… again

"Smiley's People" is the sequel miniseries to "Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy" and is also based on a novel by John le Carré. In this series, George Smiley investigates the murder of a Russian general formerly passing information to the Circus which puts him on the trail of his old rival, Soviet spy master "Karla".

As with "Tinker, Tailor", Alec Guinness is perfect in a subtle performance as George Smiley. The returning performers and new performances are solid as well.

"Smiley's People" is at least up to the high standard of "Tinker, Tailor" and perhaps better. Whereas in "Tinker, Tailor" Smiley investigated within a limited circle of people and limited area, in this series the locations and characters are more varied. In this way the plot of "Smiley's People" requires more focus to understand the connections between characters, which I enjoyed.

As with "Tinker, Tailor", the style consisted mostly of Smiley conversing with people for information, so this series is also not appropriate for those looking for a fast-paced James Bond type spy thriller, but enjoyable for those looking for a deliberately paced spy film. It is worth noting the final scene, which is impressively tense and provides an interesting and appropriate conclusion.