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Smiley's People [1982] [DVD]
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Directed by Simon Langton and coscripted by John Hopkins and Le Carré this is a leisurely mystery. It offers a cannily generous central performance from Guinness, who never takes off his scarf and does his best to fade into the background while a succession of striking character players hold centre screen; but slowly and by sheer presence he begins to dominate the panoramic view of European treachery, deception, and disappointment. Among the terrific supporting cast are Michel Lonsdale, Mario Adorf, Vladek Sheybal, Michael Gough, Alan Rickman (a tiny, early role as a hotel clerk), Beryl Reid, Ingrid Pitt, Bernard Hepton, Michael Elphick, Rosalie Crutchley, Michael Byrne, Bill Paterson, and Maureen Lipman. Smiley's People is more interested in character than thrills, with each cameo contributing another view of the human cost of the cold war: most of the old friends Smiley seeks out react to his reappearance by saying they never wanted to see him again, and victory is only possible because Smiley discovers that his opposite number has a weakness that makes him almost sympathetic. It was originally broadcast in six hour-long episodes, and its intelligent approach works better if you watch episode-length chunks, letting one sink in before going on. --Kim Newman
RRP: £15.99
Our Price: £5.28 (subject to change)
Editorial
Amazon.co.uk Review
The second of the BBC's well-regarded serialisations of John Le Carré's espionage bestsellers, Smiley's People is slightly less compulsively watchable than Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy if only because Tinker, Tailor had a much stronger plot premise (who is the mole in British Intelligence?) than Smiley's People, which takes a very long time to come into focus. Retired spymaster George Smiley (Alec Guinness) wanders around Europe and visits a succession of desperate or eccentric characters as he plays a game which finally leads to another confrontation with and a possible victory over his Moriarty-like Soviet arch-nemesis Karla (an expressive but silent Patrick Stewart).
HOW TO ADAPT A BOOK FOR TELEVISION
Review date: 2010-03-10 Rating: 10 out of 10
AS THE SEQUEL TO "TINKER,TAILOR,SOLDIER,SPY" THIS WAS A FAITHFUL IF FORSHORTENED ADAPTATION OF THE BOOK WHICH HELD ONES ATTENTION THROUGHOUT.
ALEC GUINESS WAS HIS USUAL HIGHLY PROFESSIONAL AND CONVINCING ACTOR WELL SUPPORTED BY THE REST OF THE CAST,THE ONLY DISAPPOINTMENTS BEING THAT THE PART OF
"PETER GULLIAM" WAS PLAYED BY A DIFFERENT ACTOR AND SIAN PHILIPS WAS UNDERUSED.
IT MADE ME RETURN TO THE WORKS OF JOHN LECARRE AND FOLLOW THE CAREER OF GEORGE SMILEY!
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Reviews
Cold War
Review date: 2010-03-04 Rating: 8 out of 10
This video is a thinkinfgs person drama on cold war spying. if you are really interested in Intelligence not just american bangs and effects or 007 smoothness and product placement then get this to add to your documentarys and films. By the way Alec Guieness Meet the real C head of Mi6 to rehearse his part.
One of the most exceptional programs ever to appear on television.
Review date: 2010-01-29 Rating: 10 out of 10
John le Carré is one of the finest authors in the English language today. While his genre is the world of spies, his canvas is much larger: how we deceive ourselves while deceiving others. Alec Guinness' portrayal of George Smiley is quite likely one of his finest performances -- nuanced, full of range, self-aware. These videos/DVDs are a gem and while their topic is the now-defunct cold war, their characterizations are as valid today as they were when they were produced.
Best to watch them in order, this being the second.
Smiley's People
Review date: 2010-01-29 Rating: 10 out of 10
In this DVD Guiness is as smooth as his beveridge namesake and the genius of le Carre carries us in to a world of intrigue and mystery like few writers can.
Smiley's people
Review date: 2010-01-19 Rating: 10 out of 10
A classic TV production from 1979 with a great actors. Very well produced with a real 1970s feel. It was good seeing it again having enjoyed it 30 years ago.
Product Details/Specifications
Recording label: 2 Entertain Video
Manufacturer: 2 Entertain Video
EAN: 5014503118327
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 2
Format: PAL,
Release date: 2004-06-28
Number of discs: 2
Audience rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
Region code: 2
Running time: 349 minutes
Theatrical release date: 1982-10-25
Language: English (Original Language)