Customer Reviews

Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy [Region 2]

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

Because the six-part television series (now on DVD) is of such high quality, I knew that the recently released theatre version would find the series to be a hard act to follow. I saw the theatre version 26 December, 2011. My concerns were fully justified. Everything remarkable and captivating about the series is missing. My advice is to read the book and to see the DVD. I consider it to be my favourite cold-war spy story, and the quality of the series has much to do with it.

To start with, the original book is of high quality. Then, the television screen play is excellent both from the stand point of plot and with dialogue. Each character was perfectly cast for physical appearance as well as acting skill. The audience consequently is able to gain clear insight into the individuals' personalities, characters, roles in MI6, interaction among each other, their strengths and their weaknesses. The characters come across as real people whom the audience learns to know. Sir Alec as George Smiley succeeds in communicating more with his tone of voice, pauses, and non-verbal communication than many actors can speaking. For example when near the end he is asked to "take charge for a while," the potent effect of Smiley's delivery upon the others at the meeting table is so memorable that I can quote those lines.

Tinker Taylor is a journey back into a different time, a cold-war time when the old-boys network dominated the intelligence services and time seemed not so rushed as it is in the 21st century. The series permits sufficient time to allow for long pauses in dialogue during which the characters communicate much through their behavior and visual affect. This is time well spent that any theatre version would be unlikely to take. I have watched and shared this DVD series several times with friends, and I never have grown tired of it.

Not a spy story if you only know 'Bond'. Remove the glamour and gadgets, insert 'real' people and you have a brilliant gripping tale excellently acted.

Beware the Region code of the DVD. I ordered this item and failed to notice the following disclaimer: "This DVD will not play on most DVD players sold in the US or Canada [Region 1]. This item requires a region specific or multi-region DVD player and compatible TV". SHOULD HAVE BEEN WAY MORE PROMINENT THAT DVD WOULD NOT PLAY IN USA DVD PLAYERS, WAY MORE PROMINENT.

"Tinker Tailor" is one of the best spy-for-tv pictures ever made (the other being its sequel "Smiley's People"). The acting is superb; the story, gripping; and the continuity, excellent.

I was unable to view the DVD, due to its not being playable on US equipment. I was very satisfied with the return policy when I sent it back.

Ditto on the other negative comment here
What's this guy doing selling a UK DVD on a U.S. site?
I plan on filing a separate vendor complaint with Amazon

Having said that,if you have a late model, intel-based Mac (last 4 years) or PC, these disks will play, as after disk insertion and recognition, you will get the option to change the country code and then play it. So if you are comfortable being restricted to watching this on your computer, this will work.

But if you are planning on playing this on a U.S. purchased DVD player, forget it.

Beware the Region code of the DVD. I ordered this item and failed to notice the following disclaimer: "This DVD will not play on most DVD players sold in the US or Canada [Region 1]. This item requires a region specific or multi-region DVD player and compatible TV".

Why would anyone sell a dvd in the U.S. that will not play? They did keep my postage money. Not surprised. Will not buy from them again. Ships from N.C.? So what! Shame on Movie Mars.

DVD arrived from Movie mars. It was not playable in the US..! Must be for the UK market only. Do not waste your money.