Smiley's People (3pc) (Coll)

Starring:Alec Guinness, Eileen Atkins, Bernard Hepton, Michael Byrne, Barry Foster, Michael Lonsdale, Anthony Bate, Bill Paterson, Beryl Reid, Mario Adorf, SiÃ¢n Phillips, Curd JÃ¼rgens, Vladek Sheybal, Patrick Stewart, Rosalie Crutchley, Michael Gough, Maureen Lipman, Dudley Sutton, Michael Elphick, Alain Serres
Director: Simon Langton
Studio: Acorn Media
Product Type: DVD

Editorial Review:
Amazon.com
The second of the BBC's well-regarded serializations of John Le CarrÃ©'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 CarrÃ© himself, 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 center 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 hourlong episodes, and its intelligent approach works better if you watch episode-length chunks, letting one sink in before going on. --Kim Newman
Description
The thrilling sequel to Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy
Both had supposedly outlived their usefulness to the Circus, the British Secret Intelligence Service: George Smiley, the retired head of espionage, and General Vladimir, an aging informant who reported to him. When the general walks into a bullet after sending an urgent message to his old handler, the Circus asks Smiley to "tidy things up." But Smiley hears Vladimir's message as a call to arms against his nemesis, the Soviet super spy Karla, once again tantalizingly within his grasp.

Amazon.com

The second of the BBC's well-regarded serializations 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 himself, 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 center 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 hourlong episodes, and its intelligent approach works better if you watch episode-length chunks, letting one sink in before going on. --Kim Newman

Description

The thrilling sequel to Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy
Both had supposedly outlived their usefulness to the Circus, the British Secret Intelligence Service: George Smiley, the retired head of espionage, and General Vladimir, an aging informant who reported to him. When the general walks into a bullet after sending an urgent message to his old handler, the Circus asks Smiley to "tidy things up." But Smiley hears Vladimir's message as a call to arms against his nemesis, the Soviet super spy Karla, once again tantalizingly within his grasp.

Alec Guiness reprises the role of British spymaster George Smiley in this gripping sequel to the television masterpiece Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy. Filmed on location in London, Paris, Hamburg and Berne, Smiley's People also stars Eileen Atkins, Anthony Bate, Bernard Hepton, Michael Lonsdale, Beryl Reid, Patrick Stewart and Bill Patterson.
DVD Special Features Include: digitally remastered presentation, exclusive interview with John le Carré, production notes, cast filmographies, le Carré biography and booklist, full-color insert with glossary of characters and terms.

Customer Reviews:

Very, Verry Good! But not as good as "Tinker, Taylor, Soldier, Spy........2007-05-12

I liked both "Tinker, Taylor, Soldier, Spy" and "Smiley's People." I give, however, a slight edge to "Tinker, Taylor, Soldier, Spy." They are both worth watching again and again. It seems that you see something new at each viewing.

Tremendous, astounding, riveting Sir Alec Guiness.......2007-05-09

I finally ordered this DVD and I was amazed at the quiet, subtle power of Alec Guiness in the role of "Smiley." I enjoyed "Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy" but there was a little too much of secondary characters and not enough of Smiley. However, "Smiley's People" was perfect. The script and story were riveting and all the supporting actors from Eileen Atkins to Beryl Reid were dead-on pitch perfect.

I can't wait to have time to sit through the whole show again. Do yourself and favor and buy yourself one of the best!

There's So Much Here, It Would Be Churlish to Complain.......2007-03-21

"Smiley's People," a six-hour, six episode television series by the British Broadcasting Company, was directed by Simon Langton; and adapted for the screen by John Hopkins, and the author of the book of the same title on which it is based, British spymeister John LeCarre. Upon the television series' 1982 release, it was nominated for an Emmy, and many other awards, several of which, including the Emmy, it won. The LeCarre book on which it is based is the last of the highly-lauded British cold war trilogy, dealing with the struggle of English spy George Smiley, and his Russian nemesis, Karla.

The plot opens as Smiley, once again out of power in the British secret service, called the circus by LeCarre, gets wind of Karla's acting in a possibly irregular manner. Smiley, with his lifetime of experience in the spy trade, immediately realizes that further investigation and maneuvering by the British may just result in great strategic victory. The LeCarre book on which this serial is based is another of the author's greatest hits. It boasts a complex, yet crystal clear plot, a wide variety of deeply drawn characters, witty writing and dialogue, and a solid footing in its author's spycraft experience. Mind you, both book and tv series are slower, more interior, and more intellectual than American treatments of the subject matter might be. But if you can get past the absence of car chases, you should agree that the BBC, in this effort, preserved the book's outstanding plot and dialogue, and gave it its then typical no-expense spared mounting. It boasts location shots, cars, and extras galore; great star acting in the many principal roles.

Alec Guinness, reprising his role as Smiley from "Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy," the BBC's previous all-star serialization of the author's engrossing novel of the same name, first of the Smiley-Karla trilogy, must be considered first among equals. He gives Smiley a matchless solidity, and a transparent inner life. But for a change, the women here have fully-realized parts as well, and do more than honorably by them. Beryl Reid reprises her role as Connie Sachs from the first series. We finally meet Smiley's everlastingly unfaithful, treacherous and beautiful wife, as played by Sian Philips. Eileen Atkins is memorable as Mme. Ostrakova, with whom the action begins in Paris. Finally, Rosalie Crutchley acquits herself well as a nun, Mother Felicity.

The male actors are also a mixture of reprises, and new to the parts. In addition to Guinness, Patrick Stewart revisits his role as the powerfully silent Karla. Bernard Hepton is Toby Esterhase; Anthony Bate, Oliver Lacon. They're joined by Barry Foster, fresh from success as the cheerful cockney killer in Alfred Hitchcock's "Frenzy,"playing the unctuous Saul Enderby;and, as assorted Russians, Curd Jurgens, Michel Lonsdale,and Michael Gough.

There may, marginally, be fewer interesting characters, and a less compelling plot--after all, everyone loves a whodunit-- in "Smiley's People" than in "Tinker Tailor." But there's so much great stuff here, it would be churlish to complain.

I have watched this DVD at least once a month for years........2007-02-28

I am addicted to this film. Alec Guinness is amazing.

I keep finding reasons to give it as a gift to people... Like I'm trying to woo them into the cult of Smiley. I can't put my finger on one reason that it's so outstanding--there are so many. The acting is superb. The cinematography is careful, the photography is innovative at the right moments. The story is addictive. The music is intoxicating.

You will love it!

See Tinker Tailor First .......2006-12-31

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

Average customer rating:

Smiley's People [Region 2]
Starring: Alec Guinness , Eileen Atkins , Bernard Hepton , Michael Byrne , and Barry Foster
Director: Simon Langton
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

( S ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

General | Mystery & Suspense | Genres | DVD | Video
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ASIN: B0001Y9Z9W

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