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Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy

TV series · 7 episodes · 1979

Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy is a seven-part BBC2 spy drama written by Arthur Hopcraft, adapted from John le Carré's eponymous 1974 novel. The serial, which stars Alec Guinness, Alexander Knox, Ian Richardson, Michael Jayston, Bernard Hepton, Anthony Bate, Ian Bannen, George Sewell and Michael Aldridge, was broadcast from 10 September to 22 October 1979. George Smiley, the ageing master spy of the Cold War and once heir-apparent to Control, is brought back out of retirement to flush out a top level mole within the Circus. Smiley must travel back through his life and murky workings of the Circus to unravel the net spun by his nemesis Karla 'The Sandman' of the KGB and reveal the identity of the mole before he disappears.

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01

The people who made it

34 of 55

Behind the camera

  1. John Irvincreator · director
  2. John le Carrécreator
  3. Arthur Hopcraftwriter
  4. Betty Willingalewriter
  5. Clare Douglaseditor
  6. Chris Wimbleeditor
  7. Geoffrey Burgoncomposer
  8. Tony Pierce-Robertscinematographer
  9. Jonathan Powellproducer
  10. Austen Spriggsproduction designer

On screen

  1. Anthony Batelead actor
  2. George Sewelllead actor
  3. Michael Jaystonlead actor
  4. Alec Guinnesslead actor
  5. Robert MacNeilsupporting actor
  6. Bernard Heptonsupporting actor
  7. Hywel Bennettsupporting actor
  8. Michael Aldridgesupporting actor
  9. Terence Rigbysupporting actor
  10. Ian Richardsonsupporting actor
  11. Alec Sabinsupporting actor
  12. Ian Bannensupporting actor
  13. Daniel Beechersupporting actor
  14. Duncan Jonessupporting actor
  15. Beryl Reidsupporting actor
  16. Alexander Knoxsupporting actor
  17. Frank Comptonsupporting actor
  18. Terry Pearsonsupporting actor
  19. Frank Mooreysupporting actor
  20. John Wellssupporting actor
  21. Betty Hardyguest actor
  22. Jean Rimmerguest actor
  23. Jo Aptedguest actor
  24. Mandy Cuthbertguest actor
03

From the people who made Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy

47
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  2. Robin Hood1991 · FilmExceptional· 3 shared
  3. The Dogs of War1980 · FilmStrong· 3 shared
  4. Hamburger Hill1987 · FilmStrong· 2 shared
  5. Ghost Story1981 · FilmStrong· 1 shared
  6. City of Industry1997 · FilmStrong· 1 shared
  7. The Tailor of Panama2001 · FilmStrong· 1 shared
  8. Next of Kin1989 · FilmStrong· 1 shared
  9. A Month by the Lake1995 · FilmStrong· 1 shared
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  13. I, Claudius1976 · TV seriesStrong· 5 shared
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  15. Jeeves and Wooster1990 · TV seriesStrong· 2 shared
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  22. Surviving Picasso1996 · FilmNotable· 2 shared
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04

Through the cast

142
  1. CromwellAlec Guinness1970 · FilmNotable· 3 shared
  2. Gorky ParkIan BannenAlexander Knox1983 · FilmNotable· 2 shared
  3. The Woman in BlackBernard Hepton1989 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  4. First KidMichael Jayston1996 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  5. Get CarterGeorge SewellBernard Hepton1971 · FilmFaint· 3 shared
  6. Murder by DeathAlec Guinness1976 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  7. ScroogeAlec Guinness1970 · FilmFaint· 2 shared
  8. The LadykillersAlec Guinness1955 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  9. The Lavender Hill MobAlec Guinness1951 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  10. Little Lord FauntleroyAlec Guinness1980 · FilmFaint· 2 shared
  11. Our Man in HavanaAlec Guinness1960 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  12. The Bridge on the River KwaiAlec Guinness1957 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  13. AccidentTerence RigbyAlexander Knox1967 · FilmFaint· 2 shared
  14. Lawrence of ArabiaAlec Guinness1962 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  15. Oliver TwistAlec Guinness1948 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  16. Kind Hearts and CoronetsAlec Guinness1949 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  17. The OffenceIan Bannen1973 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  18. Eye of the NeedleIan Bannen1981 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  19. The HillIan Bannen1965 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  20. The Man in the White SuitAlec Guinness1951 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  21. The Fall of the Roman EmpireAlec Guinness1964 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  22. The Big ManIan Bannen1990 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  23. The DamnedAlexander Knox1962 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  24. Ghost DadIan Bannen1990 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  25. The FixGeorge Sewell1997 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  26. This Sporting LifeGeorge Sewell1963 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  27. Waking NedIan Bannen1998 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  28. The King and IIan Richardson1999 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  29. VatelHywel Bennett2000 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  30. Europa '51Alexander Knox1952 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  31. DoppelgängerGeorge Sewell1969 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  32. Watership DownTerence Rigby1978 · FilmFaint· 2 shared
  33. Chimes at MidnightMichael Aldridge1965 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  34. EmmaBernard Hepton1996 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  35. House of CardsIan Richardson1990 · TV seriesFaint· 1 shared
  36. A Passage to IndiaAlec Guinness1984 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  37. The Phantom of the OperaThorley Walters1962 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  38. Star Wars: Evolution of the Lightsaber DuelAlec Guinness2015 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  39. Frankenstein Created WomanThorley Walters1967 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  40. ClockwiseMichael Aldridge1986 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  41. Zulu DawnMichael Jayston1979 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  42. Blackadder: The Cavalier YearsWarren Clarke1988 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  43. Barry LyndonGeorge SewellBernard Hepton1975 · FilmFaint· 2 shared
  44. Inspector ClouseauBeryl Reid1968 · FilmFaint· 2 shared
  45. The Holcroft CovenantBernard Hepton1985 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  46. KafkaAlec Guinness1991 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  47. FirefoxWarren Clarke1982 · FilmFaint· 3 shared
  48. Bite the BulletIan Bannen1975 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  49. Shanghai SurpriseMichael Aldridge1986 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  50. Doctor ZhivagoAlec Guinness1965 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  51. DamageIan Bannen1992 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  52. Star WarsAlec Guinness1977 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  53. Vampire CircusThorley Walters1972 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  54. Star!Beryl Reid1968 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  55. M. ButterflyIan Richardson1993 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  56. Frankenstein Must Be DestroyedThorley WaltersGeorge Pravda1969 · FilmFaint· 2 shared
  57. Highlander III: The SorcererMichael Jayston1994 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  58. BrazilIan Richardson1985 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  59. The Flight of the PhoenixIan Bannen1965 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  60. The SaintAnthony BateTerence Rigby1962 · TV seriesFaint· 6 shared
  61. Raise the TitanicAlec Guinness1980 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  62. Brother Sun, Sister MoonAlec Guinness1972 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  63. A Knight in CamelotIan Richardson1998 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  64. The Empire Strikes BackAlec Guinness1980 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  65. The Assassination BureauBeryl Reid1969 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  66. Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are DeadIan Richardson1991 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  67. Joyeux NoelIan Richardson2005 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  68. A Christmas CarolPatrick Stewart1999 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  69. 102 DalmatiansIan Richardson2000 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  70. Murphy's WarSiân Phillips1971 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  71. The Fourth ProtocolIan Richardson1987 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  72. Mute WitnessAlec Guinness1995 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  73. Lady JanePatrick StewartJoss Ackland1986 · FilmFaint· 2 shared
  74. Yes, Prime MinisterMichael AldridgeJohn Wells1986 · TV seriesFaint· 2 shared
  75. Hope and GloryIan Bannen1987 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  76. Dr. Phibes Rises AgainBeryl Reid1972 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  77. Becoming JaneIan Richardson2007 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  78. Brighton RockNigel Stock1948 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  79. Great ExpectationsAlec Guinness1946 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  80. Red Riding: The Year of Our Lord 1980Warren Clarke2009 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  81. The Wolverine: Path of a RoninPatrick Stewart2013 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  82. KhartoumAlexander Knox1966 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  83. Red Riding: The Year of Our Lord 1974Warren Clarke2009 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  84. Ewoks: The Battle for EndorSiân Phillips1985 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  85. From HellIan Richardson2001 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  86. The VikingsAlexander Knox1958 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  87. The Mighty DucksJoss Ackland1992 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  88. The Final ConflictMilos Kirek1981 · FilmFaint· 2 shared
  89. Dark CityIan Richardson1998 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  90. From Beyond the GraveIan Bannen1974 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  91. A Zed & Two NoughtsJoss Ackland1985 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  92. Lady Chatterley's LoverFrank Moorey1981 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  93. 'Allo 'Allo!Hilary Minster1984 · TV seriesFaint· 1 shared
  94. Jesus of NazarethIan Bannen1977 · TV seriesFaint· 1 shared
  95. The SicilianJoss Ackland1987 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  96. AsylumJoss Ackland2005 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  97. The Watcher in the WoodsIan Bannen1980 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  98. The Great EscaperJohn Standing2023 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  99. GandhiBernard HeptonIan Bannen1982 · FilmFaint· 2 shared
  100. Sherlock HolmesMichael JaystonFrank Moorey1984 · TV seriesFaint· 4 shared
  101. ShalakoAlexander Knox1968 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  102. The Inglorious BastardsIan Bannen1978 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  103. The MacKintosh ManIan Bannen1973 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  104. African CatsPatrick Stewart2011 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  105. Dragonheart: Battle for the HeartfirePatrick Stewart2017 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  106. DunePatrick StewartSiân Phillips1984 · FilmFaint· 2 shared
  107. The Elephant ManJohn StandingReg Thomason1980 · FilmFaint· 3 shared
  108. A Kid in King Arthur's CourtJoss Ackland1995 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  109. The Adventure of Sherlock Holmes' Smarter BrotherThorley Walters1975 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  110. Lethal Weapon 2Joss Ackland1989 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  111. HamletRobert MacNeil2000 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  112. The Seventh Company OutdoorsAlec Sabin1977 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  113. Star Trek: InsurrectionPatrick Stewart1998 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  114. Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan, Lord of the ApesJohn WellsReg Thomason1984 · FilmFaint· 3 shared
  115. AliceEugene Lipinski2009 · TV seriesFaint· 1 shared
  116. Conspiracy TheoryPatrick Stewart1997 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  117. Dragon RiderPatrick Stewart2020 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  118. K-19: The WidowmakerJoss Ackland2002 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  119. CodaPatrick Stewart2020 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  120. Bill & Ted's Bogus JourneyJoss Ackland1991 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  121. Dracula: Prince of DarknessThorley Walters1966 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  122. Cry FreedomIan RichardsonHilary Minster1987 · FilmFaint· 2 shared
  123. Top Secret!Warren ClarkeReg Thomason1984 · FilmFaint· 3 shared
  124. AttilaSiân Phillips2001 · TV seriesFaint· 1 shared
  125. Animal FarmPatrick Stewart1999 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  126. Star Trek: NemesisPatrick Stewart2002 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  127. Green RoomPatrick Stewart2016 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  128. Star Trek: GenerationsPatrick Stewart1994 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  129. King Solomon's MinesJohn Standing2004 · TV seriesFaint· 1 shared
  130. Star Trek: PicardPatrick Stewart2020 · TV seriesFaint· 1 shared
  131. The CaptainsPatrick Stewart2011 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  132. Gulliver's TravelsJohn Standing1996 · TV seriesFaint· 1 shared
  133. X-Men: The Last StandPatrick Stewart2006 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  134. Nowhere in AfricaAnthony Bate2001 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  135. Foyle's WarMichael Jayston2002 · TV seriesFaint· 1 shared
  136. Agatha Christie's PoirotAnthony Bate1989 · TV seriesFaint· 3 shared
  137. Murder She SaidThorley Walters1961 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  138. X-MenPatrick Stewart2000 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  139. X-Men: Days of Future PastPatrick Stewart2014 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  140. Star Trek: First ContactPatrick Stewart1996 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  141. TMNTPatrick Stewart2007 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  142. A Bridge Too FarBrian HawksleyHilary Minster1977 · FilmFaint· 2 shared
05

Across the whole team

2
  1. Doctor Who1963 · TV seriesFaint· 11 shared
  2. The Avengers1961 · TV seriesFaint· 6 shared

+ 8 weaker connections not shown

06

Same franchise

1
  1. Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy2011 · FilmStrong· 1 shared