Page Eight BBC2 28.viii.11 2100hrs

[Anna]

I agree with most of the points raised, and yes it was a bit cliched, but, I really enjoyed it and was also gripped throughout. I see it's on iplayer for 6 days for those who missed it

[eighthobstruction]

I thought it was humourous how Art Scene was portrayed....the Civil Service Mandarin buying the daughters paintings, the painting of torture bought by the govt in the conference room.....Nighy's own collection [and such good taste], and sleeping agent owning a Gallery....and Art bought Nighy's freedom....[the newspaper thrown in the bin]

Johnny....such a boyish, innocent amongst Merlins and Medusa....

[Russ]

The plot did creak a bit with out-of-date security realities - the Prime Minister's precious intelligence document seemed peculiarly immune to memory sticks and photocopiers, and walking off into the sunset through customs with a loose sixty grand is a tad difficult these days, even in a Waitrose shopping bag. The dialogue was a bit clunky, although Nighy and Gambon as the two old Cambridge spooks breezed through it with their usual effortless gentle cynicism. I can't help thinking the thudding weight of le Carre has stamped too much of an expected style on this genre. Or maybe we would complain if we didn't get that dialogue style in this genre? The central problem for me was the relationship between Nighy and Weisz, the latter presumably being injected to ensure good ratings when it gets shown on american TV, and I thought the Israel/Palestian subplot was an unnecessary addition. It would have been better to explore the relationship of Nighy with the Home Secretary's PA (Holly Aird), of which we got only a tantalising glimpse.

The principal targets, our relationship with USA, and the 'fog of intelligence', were well aimed at though, and the briefing meeting with the stroppy Home Secretary was sharp and very amusing.

Hare's direction was unspectacular but assured, and it was so refreshing to have no murders and car chases and intrusive 'dramatic' music.

Not particularly profound, but very enjoyable Sunday night telly.

Russ

[Anna]

I assume there are Smiley fans here. Next month is the release of a film version of Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy with Gary Oldman as George Smiley and Colin Firth as Bill Haydon. Directed by Tomas Alfredson.

[aka Calum Da Jazbo]

whooopeee! hope it is good!

[Richard Tarleton]

whooopeee! hope it is good!

I've just read the interview with Gary Oldman in the Sunday Times magazine, with a picture of him as Smiley. He doesn't look remotely like Smiley - a huge moustache, and glasses he chose himself for the part, apparently. I'm already worried enough about Colin Firth as Bill Haydon, but perhaps he can. er, act the part.

[aka Calum Da Jazbo]

promising review of TTSS

[Richard Tarleton]

promising review of TTSS

That's better - very encouraging. The ST article was misleading, it wasn't a picture of G Oldman as Smiley.

Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy is finally more about the journey than the destination; more fascinated with the detail than the denouement.

Very true. Just as satisfying on a re-read (of my battered first edn)

[Forget It (U2079353)]

See also: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p00jqtjj

David Hare has spent his life making things up in search of the truth.

With his prolific output of plays and screenplays, he has become one of the most influential chroniclers of modern Britain - a left-leaning playwright whose anger has been variously directed at deceitful politicians, cynical media barons and grasping bankers.

He accepted a knighthood from Tony blair, then excoriated him for his role in the Iraq war.

Now that Britain is back in conservative hands, does Sir David Hare still have fire in his belly?

five days left to listen again

[aka Calum Da Jazbo]

apologies for the split thread but the reviews for Tinker TSS are wonderful!

Telegraph