Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy

(Image credit: Jack English)

John le Carré's classic spy novel is turned into an absolutely riveting, fiendishly clever and complex thriller

John le Carré's classic spy novel is turned into an absolutely riveting, fiendishly clever and complex thriller.

Set in 1973, this more than measures up to the iconic 1970s TV series that starred Alec Guinness. Gary Oldman is subtle and patient as spycatcher George Smiley, brought out of retirement by John Hurt to hunt a Soviet mole at the heart of the British intelligence service.

Benedict Cumberbatch helps him work out whether the traitor is ambitious Toby Jones, dapper Colin Firth, solid Ciarán Hinds, or even Hungarian David Dencik. Thanks to brilliant acting and Tomas Alfredson's deft direction, it's very rewarding finding out.

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