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Smiley's People : Complete BBC Series [1982]


RRP: £15.99
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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).

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


Slow burning, totally compulsive viewing
Review date: 2008-11-12 Rating: 10 out of 10

I watched this when first broadcast in 1982 and was utterly hooked - it was one of those programmes that was compulsory viewing and much discussed at work the following day. (although I remember Clive James, in his TV reviewer guise at the time, was a bit rude about the fact that it could make a heroine out of Connie, queen of the files.... well, you can't please everybody).

Anyway, the years went by, and then a couple of years ago I accidentally stumbled across this again as it was being repeated on BBC4 or some such ghetto channel. Unfortunately I'd missed the first couple of episodes (they were broadcasting it two episodes at a time) but I got hooked once more and made suitable arrangements to ensure that I caught the rest of the series - my family thought I was mad, but what the hell.

Lots of reviewers here have said that this is how BBC drama used to be, but I disagree to some extent - this is exemplary programme making by any standards. I've watched some other programmes that I thought were compelling on first viewing (I, Claudius, for example) and their age shows - still probably better than most of the rubbish spread thinly across all the channels today, but nowhere near as good as this. Don't go looking for high speed car chases, fisticuffs, or the like (although there are occasional flashes of very nasty stuff - for example when Smiley goes on the boat in Germany, or what happens to the Russian emigre's dog) - this is a slow burning, highly atmospheric story that gradually notches up the intrigue and tension, draws you in and eventually resolves with a satisfactory conclusion yet leaves enough questions dangling to wonder what happened next, and people's motives for their decisions and actions.

A terrific series, in short.

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Reviews


Sublime, mesmeric, intelligent drama.
Review date: 2008-07-16 Rating: 10 out of 10

Rarely does television or film do justice to the origonal intent of an author. But this and its accompanying series, Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy, may just be the exceptions to prove the rule. Beautifully adapted, exceptionally well acted, by a first class cast, including the late great Sir Alec Guinness. This drama slowly builds tension and layers of intrigue, weaving a tapestry of lies, truths, half truths, suspicions and faded memories.

If you enjoy being gently drawn into another world of pale shadows and grey ghost, forlorn memories and wistful regrets. If you have a normal attention span and an intellect that enjoys being stimulated, this is for you. If however you are of the 20 nanosecond, when is the next explosion coming generation, forget it.

Maybe one day British television will go back to what it used to do better than anyone. I doubt it, but until then we still have these fine examples of what once was.

Superlative Television.
Review date: 2007-12-11 Rating: 10 out of 10

Not quit as good as Tinker Taylor, the productions values are up there with the former; but you just knew the script was bad news for Karla! Still a great series, and superlative television, lots of well known faces acting their thespian socks off. And the great Alec Gunnies, absolutely believable as George Smiley; dawn to the smallest twitch of an eyebrow. This is very good television, where as Tinker Taylor is very very good television. If you have the first, you must have `Smiley's People' also.



Brilliant portrayals of British and Soviet spies
Review date: 2007-12-08 Rating: 10 out of 10

This is a quite wonderful performance from one of the best British character actors - Alec Guinness. His portrayal of George Smiley, an ex spy master, brought out of retirement because his nemesis in Soviet intelligence, Karla, (portrayed excellently in silence by Patrick Stewart)reveals a weakness that leads ultimately to his downfall at the hands of Smiley. Buy this if you like real life espionage stories rather than the James Bond type fantasies.

Simply unmissable
Review date: 2007-09-15 Rating: 10 out of 10

Six episodes on 2 dvd's plus interviews with le Carré himself and John Irvin.
This adaptation of Smiley's People is as faultless as Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy. No cut corners and absolutely true to the book. Brilliant acting throughout - I was surprised to see one reviewer below saying Barry Foster was "appalling" as Saul Enderby. Enderby is supposed to be appalling. Foster plays him superbly in my opinion.
The interview with John Irvin reveals that Alec Guinness thought Arthur Lowe more suitable for the part of Smiley. No disrespect to Arthur Lowe, but Guinness' portrayal of Smiley is perhaps one of the greatest performances in televisual drama.
They shot TTSS and SP on film, and the quality of the picture is excellent. The directing is first class, as is the cinematography.
What a shame they never made The Honourable Schoolboy - though making that would have been the entire BBC budget for a year I imagine.
I would recommend anyone to buy these two BBC gems as soon as possible, especially at the prices they're now going for on Amazon.

Product Details/Specifications


Actor(s):
Dudley Sutton
Alec Guinness
Michael Elphick
Michael Gough
Ingrid Pitt

Creators:
Alec Guinness (Primary Contributor)
Michael Gough (Primary Contributor)

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: 337 minutes
Theatrical release date: 1982-10-25
Language: English (Original Language)

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