Tinker Tailor Soldier...

As I’d read le Carré’s book and watched the ’79 series, this was a film I didn’t want to miss – determined, perhaps, to find fault. Whilst I’ve an inbuilt bias towards the former production, the BBC had several episodes to develop the characters and flesh out a story. This two-hour version is still worth the effort, however, even to the extent of suffering those arseholes that sit munching on hot dogs and popcorn, burping fizzy pop. Alfredson’s film has a good cast and makes a decent stab at the 1970s. Flashbacks to the Circus office parties raised instant smiles of recognition, as did the period decor. It reminded me that whilst our Scandinavian furniture must have looked real cool when we purchased it back in the ’70s, next week’s change of address is the perfect opportunity for its retirement.

Derided by many as a drab decade, an alternative flavour of the times (to Alberto Iglesias’s score) was later broadcast on BBC Four. Old Grey Whistle Test footage, featuring Elton John with his original hair, David Bowie, Curtis Mayfield, Steppenwolf, Vinegar Joe, Bob Marley & the Wailers, Captain Beefheart, Dr Feelgood, Patti Smith, Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers, Talking Heads, the Jam, Blondie, Iggy Pop and the Specials. Not a lot that George Smiley could tap his feet to, but it would have spiced up the soundtrack.