• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

Can anyone explain the film Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy?

sportage

sportage

Lifer
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy? What was this bore anyway? Is that all spies do all day, sit around peeking at other from behind news papers? Stare off into the distance with a blank look on their face? Sneak mysterious secret papers from files cabinets and safes, then return them, then take them again? And what is it with all this stares and glancing looks? i wondered for awhile if this wasn't going to turn into some gay flick, all the secret peeks and glances at each other. And in the end (*SPOILER*) everyone shoots each other, well almost everyone.
I didn't get it. So many good stars, and a really dumb meaningless plot.
it was like some long boring SNL comedy skit for spies.

Was there an actual plot to this?
 
I was able to follow about 75% of the movie without having read the book. Reading wikipedia afterwards helped fill the gaps. Still is a good movie.
 
During the cold war, the Russians installed at least one spy high up in the British Intelligence Service.

This movie/book is based on how attempts were made to discover and remove the spy.

There were two levels of spying going on; one being done by the British and the other being run by the Soviets. Soviets knew about both, so were able to play the Brits.

Smiley was looking for the Soviet circle and in the process exposed the British circle which was being manipulated by the Soviets
 
I'm a fan of the book, but having seen the movie at the weekend i must admit it missed the mark somewhat. What should have been a taut, suspenseful thriller ended up more of a yawn fest.
 
Nerva said:
Movie was well done. You guys need to cut the crap about how the book is always better. Gary Oldman was awesome as George Smiley, if not better than Alec Guiness.
Click to expand...

The movie was way too confusing if you've never read the book. I'd say 80% of the audience had no idea what was going on the entire movie.
 
bignateyk said:
Never read the book and I had no idea what was going on in the movie. I need to go read the plot somewhere.
Click to expand...

Control suspects a highly placed mole in British intelligence. Russians set up an operation to fail to discredit Control and thus protecting their mole. Ricki Tarr stumbles across indication of the same mole's existence and reports to a reliable person in the British government. Smiley gets pulled out of retirement to hunt for the mole.
 
Nerva said:
Movie was well done. You guys need to cut the crap about how the book is always better. Gary Oldman was awesome as George Smiley, if not better than Alec Guiness.
Click to expand...

I love John le Carre's books, and Gary Oldman's acting, but overall, it was too much Britishness and not enough thrill in this thriller.
 
Nerva said:
Control suspects a highly placed mole in British intelligence. Russians set up an operation to fail to discredit Control and thus protecting their mole. Ricki Tarr stumbles across indication of the same mole's existence and reports to a reliable person in the British government. Smiley gets pulled out of retirement to hunt for the mole.
Click to expand...

So what was the deal with the one guy shooting the other one at the end? And who was the second body they showed? Did the guy who shot the other one make up the story about being tortured?
 
bignateyk said:
So what was the deal with the one guy shooting the other one at the end? And who was the second body they showed? Did the guy who shot the other one make up the story about being tortured?
Click to expand...

Jim Prideaux was a lifelong friend of Bill Haydon (BFFs in the way that only the British are able to do). When he discovers that Haydon blew his cover on the mission that gets him shot in the back and tortured by the Russians, he can't take it, so he kills Haydon.

I loved the movie, but I read the book over the summer. However, the other people that have seen it with me didn't have any previous knowledge and still enjoyed it.
 
LordMorpheus said:
Jim Prideaux was a lifelong friend of Bill Haydon (BFFs in the way that only the British are able to do). When he discovers that Haydon blew his cover on the mission that gets him shot in the back and tortured by the Russians, he can't take it, so he kills Haydon.

I loved the movie, but I read the book over the summer. However, the other people that have seen it with me didn't have any previous knowledge and still enjoyed it.
Click to expand...

i think in the book it's not explicit that Prideaux killed Haydon, just comes short of saying it i think. Betrayal was on 2 fronts, betrayal of friendship and betrayal of queen and country.

i guess i can see how the movie may be hard to follow. a lot of things were unsaid and one has to focus on mannerisms. my girlfriend didn't enjoy it at all but i loved it. I hope they make the two sequels, I dont care much for The Honorable Schoolboy, but Smiley's People would be fantastic as it showcases Smiley as the master of tradecraft that he is.
 
Nerva said:
i think in the book it's not explicit that Prideaux killed Haydon, just comes short of saying it i think. Betrayal was on 2 fronts, betrayal of friendship and betrayal of queen and country.

i guess i can see how the movie may be hard to follow. a lot of things were unsaid and one has to focus on mannerisms. my girlfriend didn't enjoy it at all but i loved it. I hope they make the two sequels, I dont care much for The Honorable Schoolboy, but Smiley's People would be fantastic as it showcases Smiley as the master of tradecraft that he is.
Click to expand...

I think Smiley's People is my favorite Le Carre novel. Also Esterhase is amazing in it. The man can't walk past a mail van without stealing it.
 
I'm sure I'm in a tiny minority here, but generally if I see that Colin Firth is in a movie, I know I will not like it. Not saying he's a bad actor, just that it seems to me that he chooses to be in the types of movies I do not enjoy.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top