Tinker, Tailor, Soldier Spy

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Tinker, Tailor, Soldier Spy

R

Released Jan 6, 2012

2h 7m

Mystery & Thriller

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Popcornmeter

84%

Tomatometer

230 Reviews

65%

Popcornmeter

50,000+ Ratings

In 1970s England the head of MI6, Control (John Hurt), dispatches an agent (Mark Strong) to meet with a Hungarian general who knows the identity of a Soviet spy in the organization's ranks. However, the mission goes wrong, and the general dies before he can reveal the information. Undersecretary Oliver Lacon (Simon McBurney) calls veteran agent George Smiley (Gary Oldman) back from forced retirement to ferret out the mole and stop the flow of vital British secrets to the Russians.

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Critics Consensus

Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy is a dense puzzle of anxiety, paranoia, and espionage that director Tomas Alfredson pieces together with utmost skill.

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Wendy Ide

Times (UK)

Stepping into the shoes of Alec Guinness, Gary Oldman, in a performance of restrained inscrutability, captures perfectly the character of John le Carré’s seasoned spy George Smiley...

Jan 10, 2024

Full Review

Kevin Maher

Times (UK)

Sublime.

Rated: 4/5

Dec 3, 2021

Full Review

Deborah Ross

The Spectator

So beautifully executed and so visually absorbing and so atmospherically hypnotic that I wonder this: would it have been awfully greedy to have hoped to have wholly understood it, too?

Aug 31, 2018

Full Review

Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

Le Carré enthusiasts will be left wanting another hour or so of filmic flesh on this skin-and-bones telling.

Rated: 3/4

Mar 1, 2023

Full Review

Keith Garlington

Keith & the Movies

While it’s deliberate and sometimes dry, O’Connor and Straughan’s script is tight, structured, and clearly intends to make the audience work right alongside of Smiley.

Rated: 4/5

Aug 26, 2022

Full Review

James Croot

Stuff.co.nz

One of the greatest spy thrillers of the century.

Rated: 4.5/5

Jul 14, 2022

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Jakub S

While the visual side of the movie is impressive, its storytelling is somewhat confusing and the fact that all the characters seem to be so solemn and serious most of the time is a little bit unrealistic and dull. Do we know why Mark Strong is crying while executing Colin Firth? There is quite a lot packed into the movie, but a large portion of it remains a mystery to me. The attention to hairstyles, clothing and the 70s look is possibly playing more of a role than character and suspense building. It seems more of a glamorous fashion show than a story about love, deceit and loyalty, human condition. Although present, the latter elements could have featured more in the movie, for my taste.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

11/25/24

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Tommy H

Gave it a watch. No clue what’s going on, might try the TV series.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

11/18/24

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Chris B

Nothing in the film compares to the TV series – even the talented cast can’t elevate it. The story simply isn’t as well told, and the unique atmosphere created in the series just isn’t there in the film

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

11/13/24

Full Review

David D

Every now and again a well written, acted film with something to say comes along. It's a been awhile so we are due one. World class cast putting in stunning performances demonstrating to dull miserable work of skycraft. This is something Len Deighton captured brilliantly in his books. The banality of those who betray their countries is highlighted. Well heeled, over educated, sneering and self hating, these persons always know better. Living lives that are not those of normal people, they look down and with a destructive vision wish to burn the world they come from. That is self loathing. These are the bannermen of spies to regimes like the Soviet Union throughout the ages. Ultimately and happily, common sense eventually breaks through. How contemporary.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/10/24

Full Review

Mike K

If anyone is interested in the cinematic depiction of the masterpiece novels, see the mini series. This movie is nothing.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

11/08/24

Full Review

Paul M

Slow, serious, at times bleak. With an ever-present tension. Spectacular acting and visually beautiful. It takes a bit of patience to fully enjoy this one, but it definitely pays off.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/20/24

Full Review

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Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

In 1970s England the head of MI6, Control (John Hurt), dispatches an agent (Mark Strong) to meet with a Hungarian general who knows the identity of a Soviet spy in the organization's ranks. However, the mission goes wrong, and the general dies before he can reveal the information. Undersecretary Oliver Lacon (Simon McBurney) calls veteran agent George Smiley (Gary Oldman) back from forced retirement to ferret out the mole and stop the flow of vital British secrets to the Russians.

Director: Tomas Alfredson
Producer: Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner, Robyn Slovo
Screenwriter: Bridget O'Connor, Peter Straughan
Distributor: Focus Features
Production Co: Working Title Films, Paradis Films, StudioCanal
Rating: R (Some Sexuality/Nudity|Language|Violence)
Genre: Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: British English
Release Date (Theaters): Jan 6, 2012, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 1, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA): $24.1M
Runtime: 2h 7m
Sound Mix: Dolby SRD, Dolby SR, Dolby Digital

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