Smiley's People
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Movie Reviews of Smiley's People
Movie Review: Even better in DVD ... better than the VHS, better than TTSS
Summary: 5 Stars
SMILEY'S PEOPLE seems to suffer in reviews when compared to Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, but having watched both this weekend in their DVD format, I think Smiley's People delivers more satisfaction overall, particularly for someone familiar with Cornwall (Le Carre).
TTSS was first and foremost a mystery (Is there a mole? If so, who is the mole? How do we trap the mole?). This one is something different. The mystery (why was Vladimir shot?) is pretty well resolved by the middle of the affair.
Smiley's People is a dramatic explication of the catalog of techniques known as to readers as the "tradecraft" ... from "Moscow Rules," to "Honey Pots", to "The Burn," to "The Interrogation," to the use of "Lamplighters" and "Scalphunters," just to watch Alec Guiness go through these processes is a master class in cold war humint.
And the performances are also better: Le Carre (in DVD interview) admits that Guiness so "owned" the character of Smiley at this point, that he intended "Smiley's People" as the last time to use the character (althought he previously had plans had been for an entire series of Smiley mysteries) because he had lost control over it. It is obvious in Guiness's performance that he owns the role, moreso than in TTSS. Similarly, Tobe Esterhazy, Connie Sachs (not Molly as noted below), and Peter Guillame are more comfortable in their portrayals than previously.
No question: this is one of the great mini-series... now we need to see The Perfect Spy and Noble House on DVD too!!
Movie Review: This version is NOT complete
Summary: 5 Stars
This will drive collectors nuts, but I own a PAL version on tape, and the DVD version is missing bits and pieces of certain scenes.
For example, at the end of his visit to Willem's house his wife shows him to the door and says, "Don't come back, Max. We don't need a vicar anymore." Hearing the sound of the motorcycle being started by his escort, Ferguson, Smiley says; "It seems I do".
A small thing, but some of the flavor is missing. Like Miss Marple in "Nemesis", this is Smiley's swan song, and time for his fellow colleages to express their admiration of his talents. For example, during Grigoriov's interview, Smiley appears to be making notes. At the end of the meeting he leaves the notepad on the table, and Skordeno calls out to Smiley as he leaves, indicating he has left them behind; "Mr. Smiley, your notes". Smiley says to Skordeno, "Oh those. I don't think they consitute a breach of security, do you Skordeno?". The camera looks down from Pauli's viewpoint to see that the notepad is blank. Smiley hadn't written anything, it was just to impart an air of officiality to Grigoriov. The camera closes in on Skordeno's face to catch a smile of appreciation. You see? It's small, but there are levels of meaning lost by omitting the scene. Shameful, it's one of the things I remember from the film quite well, as you can tell.
Sorry to make you crazy; now you'll wonder what else is missing, heh heh.
Movie Review: intricate, subtle, eccentric
Summary: 5 Stars
Though it appears low key and slow, this is an absolutely fascinating mystery with a dowdy master spy, Smiley. You have to pay very close attention to understand what is going on, what he is doing and trying to get at. With each step, more is revealed about him, his methods, and the cloak-and-dagger network of the Cold War. If you have an inkling of what is going on, it is utterly revetting as the master performs. Yet Smiley is the anti-James Bond: avoiding violence and unnecessary entanglements, he puts together a plan of entrapment that is as subtle as they come; he expresses little emotion, yet plays on those of all involved; he creates a spider's web that will capture the greatest prize of them all. And the whole time, he is fighting stodgy bureaucrats, has no resources or special gadgets, and is piecing the thing together himself.
I have now watched this twice, and each time I saw more in the strange characters, what bound them, and how Smiley was the master manipulator of them all. There are so many pieces and delicate balances to strike, that this is a wonderful puzzle, of the greatest spy entertainment and yet with a minimum of action. It could never have come out of Hollywood.
Warmly recommended.
Note: I got this new in Britain (region 2) for $8.50.
Movie Review: See Tinker Tailor First
Summary: 5 Stars
To enjoy and comprehend this three-disc miniseries you should first view "Tinker Tailor, Soldier Spy" which is also a three-disc miniseries. The story of George Smiley begins with TTSS and finishes with "Smiley's people."
The two series together make for the best spy movie ever -- ever! "Smiley's People" concerns the hunt for "Karla" an elusive and brilliant Soviet spymaster played by Patrick Stewart. The British spy leading the hunt is George Smiley, sad, paunchy, alone, and as much unlike James Bond as a character can be. Smiley is brilliantly underplayed by Alec Guinness. The supporting cast is as good a bunch of character actors as can be found anywhere. The story moves slowly and methodically toward a climax in Berlin, the heart of the Cold War.
Don't expect an action movie, beautiful women, or exciting chase scenes. "Smiley's People" is cerebral as George Smiley slowly solves a mystery and lays a trap for Karla. Moral ambiguity rather than victory is the mood. I also much enjoyed the half-hour interview with John Le Carre which is a special feature of the DVD. Le Carre talks about the art of writing with real insight.
Smallchief
Movie Review: INCOMPARABLE !!
Summary: 5 Stars
When I saw Tinker,Tailor,Soldier,Spy I wondered if Guinness and the cast and crew could better themselves with the sequel. That was going to be a tough assignment given how well the first series was done. But boy did they ever !! When Smiley's People aired on TV in 1983 it was met with immense critical acclaim and drew a huge audience as well. I remember watching actor Ray Miland do the intro to each weekly episode. As an actor himself you could see that he was in awe of this series and Guinness's performance. I won't describe the plot since that is already done in many of the other reviews. Nor do I need to mention the stunning supporting cast (Hepton, Lonsdale, Bate, etc) and brilliant directing job of Simon Langton. All this is what we've come to expect from the highest quality British film makers. What I do want to mention is the excellence of the DVD's and the packaging. Whoever was responsible for this product knew what they were doing. What a shame these people were not made responsible for the packaging of that other masterpiece recently released on DVD; Reilly Ace of Spies.