This series has to be one of the most well written TV series in my opinion, the dialogue is so well placed. I never felt a single character say something just for the sake of it or as a filler, everything to the looks that Smiley would give or smirks the actors would occasionally give each other is a part of the character role. It is a slow build up but you never feel it drag. This show is about character development done to its best, and the actors especially the sublime yet superb Alec Guinness and Beryl Reid give a beautiful and profound performance.The story line is well done too, you feel a part of the Cold War era and the spy machinations and the intrigue grip you. This is story writing and telling at its finest. I wish more shows could be made that placed emphasis on good story telling and actors who would invest in bringing characters to life.

The head of Soviet Intelligence has got a mole placed very top echelon of British Intelligence, so high up that the service can't be trusted to ferret him out. The only man capable of uncovering his identity is George Smiley, the now-retired, one-time Chief of Operations of British Intelligence. In fact, this unlike-sounding premise is actually based upon a true story.Although "Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy" is ostensibly a spy-thriller, it is really the unlimited detective story. Alec Guinness surpasses himself in the role of George Smiley. The creator of a vast array of colorful characters, Guinness plays Smiley a quiet, thoughtful, thorough man. Smiley is a man who stays inside himself, who asks questions but gives very little away. He is not, in fact, the cloak-and-dagger soy type, but the ultimate detective. And it takes the ultimate detective to sort out the complicated and secretive web of people and intrigues surrounding the betrayal of British Intelligence. His job is to get the truth out of smart people, people who not only know how to lie but who have been trained to lie. Those expecting car chases, gun battles, tricky gadgets, beautiful femmes fatales and massive explosions are going to be disappointed with "Ticker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy". This is definitely NOT a James Bond film. However, those desiring a thoughtful, intricate and thoroughly adult spy thriller need look no further. Herein they will find one of the best.

I've read the book three times, so when I found the DVD pack at the public library, I just had to try it. I wasn't disappointed, although I wished for a little more inspiration, a bit more risk-taking on the part of the writers and director. The dialogue you read in the book finds its way almost invariably into the film, so there is a certain feeling of deja-vu.Alec Guinness fits the part of Smiley very well, but he makes hardly any impression on me. His performance may be called clinical. Michael Jayston as Guillam is nervy and sometimes angry; he convinces me he is a dedicated agent. Bernard Hepton as the foppish Esterhase has some wonderful scenes. Alexander Knox gives a moving portrayal of Control, a man who has kept on doing his job long after he should have been pensioned off. The best work is done by Michael Aldridge; his Alleline is so pompous and tiresome you wonder why nobody has beaten his head in with a poker.

this i an all time classic TV series but it certainly needs a couple of viewings if you really want to get into the story. i would certainly recommend reading the books as they give an insight into the TV series.of course Alec Guiness was superb as George Smiley and the entire series was stuffed full of British actors, including star trek's Patrick Stuart. this is a wonderful story which really brings the Cold War into vivid perspective, especially the situation with the Eastern Block. the plot was absolutely supreme and is a decent intellectual spy series which is so far from Ian Flemming's James Bond. this is certainly well worth watching if you enjoy being intellectually stretched, of which there is so little on TV at the moment. not all Drama has to be laid out on a plate and this certainly adheres to that. if you enjoy this series then you must watch the other one, Smiley's People. i would only say that the one drawback of this series is that as soon as the characters are given their code-names i simply can't remember what they are!