Smiley's People (1982) - Alec Guinness - Chat with Toby

[@acfiris9203]

“I spent 15 years at The Circus trying to be an Englishman. You know what I am now? A cheap Austro-Hungarian in expensive clothes. I’ve come home.” Fantastic line, exceptional delivery.

[@rasmusjohansen5282]

Two outstanding actors, working with amazing dialogue, in an impeccably structured scene. Hard to imagine a show today with a 10-min scene of two greyhaired men talking. But this is not boring for a second. Just wow.

[@pdaviesmecom]

I agree. This and the scene with Beryl Reed. Probably the best two scenes in the two series. Lost track how many times I have watched both scenes.

[@kevinduffy80]

​@pdaviesmecom Cracking piece of dialogue. Makes the new version of tinker tailor with Gary Oldman second rate.

[@user-ph8zs6xt8y]

Yes. Knowing the characters back story makes every line and mannerism all the more golden. Remember being delighted that George was off to see Toby when I read it the first time.

[@plainjane2474]

I recently saw Tinker Tailor for the first time and it made me realise just how poor modern filmography and acting is. Everything now gets compared to Tinker Tailor and every performance compared to Alec Guinness.

[@TerryRickaby]

After all these years nothing on TV or film has had me spellbound like the BBC2 series of Smiley's People and Tinker, Sailor, Soldier Spy. I still watch both over and over.

[@kevinduffy80]

Same here. First class drama and writing.

[@sichere]

Yes Minister !

[@simoncharles.7300]

Me too!😊

[@waynehatton4136]

Me too! It never gets old or stale.

[@proslipbrakelubrication1922]

Me too.. but especially fond of the audio cassette..Hepton as Smiley…. Find myself inserting various phrases into my everyday banter..

[@howardstringert5576]

Bernard Hepton was an exceptional actor. This scene is a tour de force. Brilliant acting by both men.

[@BrianRPaterson]

Hepton played George Smiley wonderfully in the BBC radio adaptations. Well worth searching them out (they pop up on KZbin from time to time).

[@Marvin-dg8vj]

​@@BrianRPaterson type of acting you won't see today.

[@jmp01a24]

@@Marvin-dg8vj Tom Hardy, Phoenix, Daniel Day Louis. They can be hard to spot acting a certain role, until you read the credits. They transform into their characters and become them.

[@Marvin-dg8vj]

@@jmp01a24 true but much less common than it was. Acting was stronger on the past but they picked more on talent instead of diversity and box ticking

[@sydneycarton4885]

Hepton is memorizing as an actor in this scene. He IS Toby. Never get tired of watching him in this series. What a great performance.

[@Th0ughtf0rce]

You should try listening to the BBC4 radio dramas where he played Smiley. It's an interesting experience to say the least

[@chrisst8922]

Filmed at 37 New Cavendish Street, Toby's shop now Carter Jonas estate agent. I've actually been in that basement room.

[@mekhtoub]

Thanks. I will make a pilgrimage there...

[@rickrose5377]

​@@mekhtoub A pilgrimage is exactly what it will be. The perfect word to honor a performance transcendent and sublime.

[@McRaeJim]

Really?

[@KarlSnyder-jh9ic]

Nice light esply for a basement

[@aromaticflower]

"You do not buy photographs from Otto Leipzig. You don't buy Degas from Signor Benati."

[@fredhoupt4078]

I never tire of this wonderful scene. Still get goosebumps and I know all the lines. I love it.

[@iwantsomecookies08]

i very recently read the book. its a fantastic chapter. the cinematography is a bit off and the dialogue is... ooh, well, not leCarré. Great performances though

[@windycityliz7711]

This scene is a Master Class.

[@barouchkrakauer7815]

40+ years later, and still genius.

[@kevinbennett7615]

Glorious. Tinker Tailor and smiley's People are the two greatest pieces of television drama ever. I just get lost in the beautiful pacing and atmosphere. and, oh my, the acting talent is second to none.

[@manfred747]

Yes - 5 superb minutes of Smiley just writing a letter. I watch them both once a year.

[@philippankhurst6680]

This wonderful Cold War tale is a candidate for the finest ever BBC drama; Alec Guinness is a candidate for the 20th century's greatest actor. This pivotal scene is brilliantly written and the acting is of the highest order. The love and loyalty that Toby has for George emerges as the scene goes on. This is Bernard Hepton's finest screen performance, surely.

[@simonwhite8474]

So many to choose from though.....

[@BrianRPaterson]

Love, loyalty, respect. Up to a point. When Toby opens his office door he has his right hand inside his jacket, presumably on a pistol in case his visitor isn't kosher. Interestingly he keeps it there until he's had a very good look at Smiley. I wonder if he's wondering if Smiley's come to shoot him. Once a spy, always a spy.

[@kkdesignservices183]

I think it and TTSS are candidates for the best television drama, period. My only regret? They didn't do the Honourable Schoolboy.

[@davidw.2791]

@@kkdesignservices183 Ironic that budgetary issues stopped it even though Britain still owned Hong Kong at the time.

[@alphabetaxenonzzzcat]

It's a good - but the former Le Carre adaptation TTSS was better - probably because it had the stronger storyline.

[@Karstendag]

“Claus with a C… don’t ask me why!” I love the delivery of Esterhase

[@davidw.2791]

“Was he an East German?” (Sp?) “Worse: SAXON!” 😎

[@davidw.2791]

Oh yeah and I just realized that Brits don’t even recognize “Santa Claus” they recognize “Father Christmas” instead.

[@andrewg.carvill4596]

He answers his own "why?" there is no why, because "these people have no logic". Austro Hungarian vs. Saxon

[@pauldeakin9866]

Guinness is playing it straight in this, but Hepton is really going for it and clearly enjoying himself. The later scenes where they set up the ambassador are great fun. Hepton and his character are both revelling in it. Greatest TV drama ever.

[@BrianRPaterson]

The set up is priceless! I love it when everyone in the room gives the mark a round of applause for giving his wife an earful on the phone.

[@josep1001001]

wait this is a TV drama, and they had writing like this?? Bruh any of our movies aren't even half well writing as this!!

[@davidw.2791]

@@josep1001001 BBC produced, six episodes one hour long each.

[@magetaaaaaa]

There are... irregularities counselor, grave irregularities.

[@kellypaws]

Hepton wasn’t so often given this kind of ‘full on’ acting role. As it transpired, those who overlooked his ability to dominate this kind of role, did themselves no favours. Outstanding.

[@Oldgittom]

Master performance by the late Bernard Hepton as Esterhaze; mind you, the whole cast of 'Smiley's People' was the very best. I doubt we'll ever see such a stellar line-up again. Every young actor should watch it.

[@jeremystein4534]

+Oldgittom Bernard Hepton is alive, aged 90.

[@Oldgittom]

+jeremy stein I'm delighted to hear it! I'm at the age where most of those I admired are dead. Yet I still recall the wondrous way Hepton created that onscreen character: uncanny!

[@PaoloLery]

+Oldgittom He's brilliant isn't he. The Toby from the film was way off. I love his distraction techniques but George never buys it.

[@Oldgittom]

Absolutely: I'm still full of admiration for Hepton's masterclass as Esterhaze - like he wasn't taken in by Smiley, either! Slyly implied, mitteleuropean cynicism/pragmatism; he knew George was chasing his own obsessive tail, when he could have been making really useful money. So, great triumph; Smiley 'caught' a senior Russian spook. It made not the slightest difference to the course of history.

[@Oldgittom]

+Paolo Lery You patriotism does you proud. Smiley was the composite-fantasy of the upperclass gentleman, & the effortlessly superior Oxbridge intellect. Burton was the downmarket version. The goodies won & we all cheered, 'cept the Cold War is back.

[@simonwhite8474]

RIP Bernard Hepton....brilliant in Colditz, I Clavdivs, Tinker Taylor, Secret Army......The list goes on.

[@johnsullivan2652]

And The Charmer

[@andrewhunt9519]

And in an episode of " some mothers do 'ave ,'em".

[@EddyBunter]

Sadly the brilliant Bernard Hepton died on 27 July 2018 aged 92. He will always be Toby Esterhase.

[@gb546733]

are you sure? his name is benati, he's not called hector, definitely not toby esterhase

[@tnecklover]

He was wonderful as Thomas Cranmer in "Six wives of Henry VIII".

[@robin231176]

@@tnecklover And the Kommandant in Colditz.

[@tnecklover]

@@robin231176 Didn't see him in that. Know he played the cafe owner in "Secret Army" and Donald Simpson in the "Charmer" as well as "I, Claudius". Superb actor.

[@jonnybriggs7531]

By some strange turn of events he also played Smiley in the BBC radio adaptation of Smiley's People. You can listen to him in this same scene playing the opposite character!

[@photographingtoronto2350]

What makes British TV so good is the huge collection of briliant actors. In this scene, Alec Guinness and Bernard Hepton are reviting, no need for car chases here.

[@stellaboulton9531]

Exactly.

[@picard714]

Absolutely masterful scene. George in his very best interrogation mode and Toby constantly telling George to walk away, knowing full well that Smiley will not, which is why Toby dutifully answers every question Smiley puts to him. Toby has a new life, but Smiley is a reminder of his former world and with each revelation, you can see Toby's appetite whetting. Hence, the offer of a "Hungarian babysitter" at the very end. Some of Bernard Hepton's finest work.

[@glendamcgee1779]

Bernard Hepton perfection.

[@davidw.2791]

He still thirsts for the thrill of the hunt. Without unnecessary risks of course.

[@robertandrews5640]

BRILLIANT but FAR too short a clip an hour too short

[@davidw.2791]

@@robertandrews5640 five hours too short. :)

[@DJS11811]

Agreed. These two together is so impeccable.

[@lisalaine4478]

The business with the sherry always intrigued me. It's a scene-within-the scene. A modest sherry not enjoyed, judging by the disappointed look when Smiley takes his second mouthful. But is a clever game going on here, a theatrical trick, Guinness's wink to Karla, "The Sandman"? When Toby places the bottle back on top of the cabinet, a logo is visible which identifies the brand quite clearly: Sandeman, a popular inexpensive sherry then & now. Of course, I could be reaching here, or treading another's long-forgotten observation, but the entirety of this meeting is simply a work of art, full of bits of business, enough for endless forensic musings and dissection.

[@philippankhurst6680]

Does George's reaction suggest that he suspects that Toby has refilled the Sandeman bottle with a cheap supermarket sherry ?

[@timhall3575]

wonderful observation!!!

[@jungfraujoch11333]

What a cast and what a performance Maybe the BBCs finest hour

[@McRaeJim]

This was like watching a play rather than a movie scene. The stillness and economy of movement. You focus on the words giving a ton of exponential information and yet you are spellbound. Such rare acting and writing

[@th8257]

One of the brilliant things about the TV series is that it gave everything time to breathe. It brilliantly captured a lot of the desolation of the late 70s and early 80s.

[@BrianRPaterson]

Hepton's Toby was a joy and a delight. It's the small things that make scenes like this so good. Like Smiley gently rocking his chair in the waiting room, no doubt testing its quality and provenance.

[@BrianRPaterson]

@Ghent Purdue Exactly!

[@laharitenneti]

This will never not be my favourite scene. I keep coming back to this very frequently and it AWES me every single time! The chemistry between Toby and George is insane. What subtlety! What restraint! And Hepton is magnificent here. Like a proud and grand peacock. That beige coat he wears, lives in my head rent free. Absolutely glorious scene! 🙇

[@nikolaus2688]

One of the best, certainly, but at the very end, there's the dialogue, after Smiley left lighter Anne had once given him on the ground, where Karla had dropped it. "George! You won." "Did I? ... Yes ... yes, I s'pose I did." One of the most powerful moments on screen. In his greatest victory, utter defeat, accepted with poise.

[@laharitenneti]

@@nikolaus2688 I know right! Smiley had that look on his face - "What was it all even worth?" It's the sort of empty feeling one has after achieving something they've relentlessly been pursuing. The sort of thing one pins all their hopes on, thinking "This will be it. The one thing that will give me contentment." And yet there's that feeling of "what is to become of me now?" because the thrill of the chase is over. There's also the fact that Smiley feels really bittersweet about the whole thing because he had to exploit Karla's weakness - something that just isn't him. Alec Guinness can say a million things just with his eyes and how that blows my mind!

[@philippankhurst6680]

With Bernard Hepton's passing I took another look at this wonderful scene. 'One of the greatest scenes in the history of film' says a fellow admirer and I wouldn't argue with that. I could watch this for eternity.

[@yvonneheald3616]

They were brilliant because they spent years in rep theatre honing their skills plus of course their innate brillance and stagecraft.

[@alidabaxter5849]

I have watched this version of "Smiley's People" times without number. I was and am mad about Bernard Hepton and thank God for his natural accent in this. This scene is brilliant but to watch him dancing and flirting around Thun in Switzerland is almost like watching a dancer - he was simply wonderful.

[@paulklee5790]

Damn right and damn well put, you know what I mean!?

[@jocularpaddy]

My favourite part in Thun was Smiley asking for a coffee 'in a glass'..the girl says 'for a glass you have to buy schnapps' in reply Smiley says 'a cup will do just as well'. LOL always makes me smile.

[@michaeltaylor6782]

I always love that smiley always turns down a drink and then accepts one.

[@renderizer01]

Even though he obviously - yet discreetly - didn't take too much delight in this particular sherry offered to him by Signore Benati. One sip and then it was back to more pressing matters.

[@andrewg.carvill4596]

Irish blood. Rule in Ireland is refuse twice, then accept with reluctance. Bad manners from host to accept either of the first two refusals, unless guest is already leaving.

[@philippankhurst6680]

@@renderizer01 Someone noticed that the sherry was Sandeman and they are right - you can see the Sandeman logo when Toby thumps the bottle on the top of his drinks cupboard. Does George suspect that is just a Sandeman bottle with supermarket sherry..?

[@johnurquhart4614]

Best spy series ever made, or likely to be made. What makes it so thrilling is the indefinable sense of authenticity, so rare.

[@gordianknot7233]

"You go messing around with creeps like Kirov and Leipzig, you better have a creep like Toby look after you ..."

[@a.b.gibson6521]

And Smiley freezes, then cocks his head with interest. Because no matter how much they dump on Toby, George considers him the best at his trade.

[@bobkoroua]

​@@a.b.gibson6521 Was it an offer to come on the hunt and watch Smileys back do you think?

[@a.b.gibson6521]

@@bobkoroua Asking without asking. I think it was one thing Smiley hoped for. Just my theory.

[@bobkoroua]

@@a.b.gibson6521 Fantastic, every minute engrossing. I won't watch the current block busters.

[@1951GL]

Everyone is making much the same point - this is an acting masterclass, based on a book arguably better than Tinker Tailor. The two tv productions have never been bettered.

[@tommyodonovan3883]

Alec Guinness will always be Smiley/Max....although Gerry Ultman did a fine job as S/M too.

[@philippankhurst6680]

And never will be...

[@PaoloLery]

The series is better than the film. Toby so much better!

[@theman2017inc]

2011 film adaptation was noteworthy and a exceptional ensemble cast with Gary Oldman

[@howardchambers9679]

@@theman2017inc Gary Oldman never quite got hold of the stillness of Smiley.

[@andyxyzb]

Such a moving scene and beautifully acted and timed! An Old Spy in a hurry; and a cheap Austro Hungarian in expensive clothes!!

[@Ryan-lz8zm]

They absolutely DANCE through a scene….. it’s breathtaking

[@lmpaxa]

This scene is like the performance of a fine piece of chamber music. The timing, the intonation - just perfect. I must have watched it at least 20 times by now.

[@sandytrunks]

@2:23 "At a certain age a man's got to be what he deserves." That's a great line!

[@Stratboy999]

Two masters at the height of their powers. Exquisite acting.

[@andyastrand]

Lots of comments on the acting which is of course superb and this is without doubt one of my favourite scenes in anything. But I think credit must be given to the score and the way it kicks in around 8 minutes in, it completely changes the feel of the scene, ups the urgency and the drama, beautiful

[@fredhoupt4078]

brings tears to my eyes....every time. Toby is defeated again by Smiley and yet he is in awe of the master. He wants to protect George from his own manias (viz: Karla).

[@bobhannah5026]

Watch Guinness closely as Hepton says “the Sandman is looking for a legend for a girl”. The tiniest twitch of a smile. He knows he has got Karla. So subtle.

[@grantnebel9974]

"He's a peerless minaturist--the eyelids droop a millimeter, and the meaning changes." (Pauline Kael on Guinness) Never better demonstrated than in Smiley's People.

[@Anabsurdsuggestion]

@@grantnebel9974What a terrific quote.

[@JohnMoog-ug6bk]

Toby’s encore career as a shady art dealer is a brilliant choice. Recall in Tinker Tailor Smiley’s argument about the Witchcraft material - the more you pay for a fake painting the more you’re convinced it’s genuine.

[@alexpetrovich85]

Good observation.

[@williamjohnson4117]

The secret service term is "wishfulness" The more you want to believe, the more true it seems.

[@johnsullivan2652]

One of the strong points of Smiley's character was his respect for the people performing menial tasks within the organisation. The porter, the cleaner, the people who made the tea. This is one of the reasons that he is more endearing to us.

[@quietcritic7784]

Also a powerful skill for a master spy

[@MariusRiley]

It’s great at the end. The look Toby is giving George. He knows the cat is out of retirement and back amongst the pidegons... but aiming to bring down the hawk.

[@robertdavenport6705]

This is wonderful. Never tire of it. Partly because Bernard Hepton gets to have some time to show how great he really is. Or maybe wholly for that reason. Didn't think you could upstage Alec Guiness and live.

[@th8257]

John Le Carré told an interesting story about how Alec Guinness was very worried about being upstaged by Beryl Reid in their scenes. He thought that comedians always tried to steal scenes and as such was very wary of acting with her - at one point, he apparently considered pulling out as he felt employing someone of a comedy background like Beryl Reid implied the production wasn't serious. Le Carré said that the real life tension was partly what made their scenes so powerful. As it was, Beryl Reid won a BAFTA for her performance.

[@iotzbox82]

I remember listening to Smileys People on Audio cassette in the car. It was fantastic. I wouldn't be surprised if it came from this film. These old Spy classics from Le Carre, with there deep thinking to untwist the riddles, are in a class of there own and nothing replicates them now.

[@hhorsley6264]

For me the pivotal scene of the series (as in Tinker Tailor) George & Toby clearly are close friends because they understand and therefore forgive each others eccentricities secure in the knowledge that they are both more clever than outsiders realise!

[@davidbrock2871]

Smiley's People may be the greatest piece of TV film ever made; and George Smiley is Alec Guinness' finest creation.

[@tomgreene6579]

Never let a man like Toby follow you down a stairs...or drink his coffee!

[@ChrisCoombes]

I missed those details!

[@phantasmtheater6015]

Wonderful chemistry between Guiness and Hepton. This is a fantastic scene from a fantastic series. I first saw Smiley's people when I was 13. This really sparked my imagination with regard to dialogue.

[@marks.6480]

Brilliant acting, excellent mise-en-scene... TV as good as it can get

[@andrewg.carvill4596]

The acting from both actors here is so brilliant (as well as le Carre's dialogue), it brings me to tears.

[@magetaaaaaa]

Really interesting to see Toby shine in this. He got thrown around quite a bit in Tinker Tailor, intimidated by Smiley and Guillam... But in this story he plays a huge part in the end and it was really cool to see him run the operation to go after Grivoriev.

[@lebarosky]

Absolutely brilliant scene.

[@timhall3575]

I watched and re-watched this scene.. it's like poetry to me now.. i can quote whole chunks of it - 'one must live off one's hump'... wonderful

[@rickrose5377]

As perfect as anything you will ever see. Brilliantly written and directed, perfectly played. Bernard Hepton's performance is remarkable in its sly nuance and sublime in its execution. This is masterful.

[@MariusRiley]

: An absolutely brilliant, masterful scene and virtuoso performances from two of stupendously gifted, talented actors. There is *so* much going on in this generally low-key scene. The whole story pivots on it, and it’s just breathtaking.

[@humphrey4976]

I wish the BBC still showed outstanding programming like this.

[@philipterzian4581]

My favorite scene in the series. Lots of competition, but this is the one.

[@kkdesignservices183]

This scene is just too wonderful for words. Just wonderful.

[@jamesnewell8559]

Agree with all the praise for this wonderful scene, from a wonderful adaptation. Let's give a shout out for the director too. Simon Langton, who just over a dozen years later, would go on to direct the BBC adaptation of Pride and Prejudice - another favourite of many.

[@ew4206]

"You remember the first rule of retirement, George? No moonlighting. No fooling with loose ends. No private enterprise-- ever. You remember who preaches this rule? At Sarratt in the corridors? George Smiley did. Quote: "When it's over, it's over." Toby knows it's never over, this is what the story is really about, being stuck in the past, a servant of regret, and Toby knows it and plays Smiley to perfection. Brilliant writing. The best.

[@robdean704]

Guinness never gets outshone in a scene but hepton comes as close to anyone. The babysitter bit is played beautifully

[@DanBeech-ht7sw]

Ian Richardson also, in TTSS as Haydon. Superb

[@richard3rheo]

A timeless masterpiece...this series will be studied and enjoyed always,

[@jmcallion2071]

Alec Guinness and Bernard Hepton excellence still remembered, never forgotten!

[@johnfox6639]

Wonderful to watch Fantastic acting. And to top it off we get to watch Toby's redemption.

[@glendamcgee1779]

It is in its way - a love scene.

[@stellaboulton9531]

Yes.

[@007EnglishAcademy]

This is a masterclass in acting

[@richmotroni]

When you watch Sir Alec in the role of George Smiley, you begin to realize that he is quite ruthless in getting information, but does it in a such a quiet way.

[@Th0ughtf0rce]

Indeed. The scene where he grilled Connie Sachs was so hard to watch. You feel so bad for her.

[@dclark142002]

That's part of the message of the film...in the end, Smiley is more ruthless than Karla. When Smiley asks, 'Did I?' in response to the joyful reminder that he won...you can really start to see it...his realization of what he has done. This is made more manifest if you have read all the books about Smiley's work.

[@richmotroni]

@@dclark142002 You exactly right. George Simley is very methodic in how he breaks down Karla to where Karla has no choice but to surrender.

[@williamparker1085]

such a pleasure to watch this ensemble of wonderful actors

[@barry5787]

Toby, the only one who got a smile out of George.

[@jrbleau]

Peter Guillam also got one when singing "Old Man River"

[@quitequiet5281]

What a scene. With every detail holding ever more meaning.

[@rebharath]

my favourite scene in the whole series. two masters.

[@iamjithu5]

What a scene! Amazing writing and wonderful acting!

[@billlawrence8520]

As good as this scene is, later, in Switzerland, Toby really shines!

[@magetaaaaaa]

Yeah, the ending really was awesome when they're all set up with the operation. The secret pictures, the tails, the interrogation!

[@Everywhere2]

It's wonderful to look at this scene in isolation from the larger production. Thank you for posting it.

[@terenzo50]

So many layers and levels and switchbacks. Beautiful work.

[@aromaticflower]

Impossible to dip into this scene without watching all of it.

[@user-cm9lz1rn3w]

Two Dragons dancing, the dance of the masters

[@brendanjoseph3742]

The best scene in either of the series.

[@jpstenino]

"it was a perfect marriage" ..."then I suppose it didn't last" I have viewed this several dozen times not catching this exchange until just now.

[@dclark142002]

...and only then does Toby ask the irritating question about 'how's Anne'... It's such a great interplay between two old colleagues.

[@jpstenino]

@@dclark142002 very much like your phrase "the irritating question" I really appreciate that throughout the entire series only Connie Sachs speaks directly starting with "how's that cow Anne"? The subtlety of John le Carré is magnificent.

[@michaelgibson4705]

Anne is seen by Bill Hayden and Karla as Smileys Achilles heel

[@paulfranklin8636]

Broadcast on Monday evenings...compare this to what we get on a Monday evening now

[@kevinbyrne4538]

George Smiley is very careful: he checks Everything -- he verifies every rumor, suspicion, innuendo, ... like a prosecutor building a case against some villain.

[@mekhtoub]

One of the greatest scenes in the history of film. Islamic art, Degas, an old spy in a hurry, a glass of sherry...

[@stevemcgee99]

And to be told once a lecture.

[@robbie_]

Hepton and Guinness were always great together. In Tinker, Tailor, the scene with Smiley interrogating Toby is even better than this. Unfortunately the BBC put a strike on all clips of it, which is a real pity.

[@stevemcgee99]

@@robbie_ I've seen that scene on KZbin. It's the only place I've ever watched the show. And there's a clip of just the interrogation.

[@Bonobo1974]

@@robbie_ kzbin.info/www/bejne/rniWf5p6rM-me5Y

[@mekhtoub]

@@robbie_ Thanks for bringing this to my attention....

[@Necron990]

Once he said the Sandman, was there any doubt what's next? Sets the stage perfectly for the trip to Hamburg and the hunt for Leipzig.

[@lindsayheyes925]

Toby's character is brilliantly drawn here... a man who accepts that he was never quite trusted, thought of as tawdry, something of a pretender, unable to be the person he aspired to be.. and in this scene he is himself, as everyone in The Circus - including himself - knew him to be.

[@quietcritic7784]

And exactly the character that LeCarre described him

[@Maisiewuppp]

But Toby always delivers. That is why he was tolerated. I love his character.

[@lindsayheyes925]

@@Maisiewuppp The best heroes are always flawed... Smiley amongst them, being driven partly by nostalgia and revenge while deceiving himself that he is being intellectual and detached; And a real one, Horatio Nelson, I rest my case.

[@gssheriff7278]

Great acting, understated but always tells the truth.

[@johnhunt8264]

I stand to be corrected, but seem to recall that he played at stand-off for Hunslet RL team in 1952/53 - truly a man of many parts, but first and foremost a wonderful character actor, capable of holding his own in the highest company, as this clip shows.

[@cavandavidson1185]

What a magnificent scene. Great stuff. And the introduction of the music is absolutely perfect.

[@maxbrownbrown3557]

Beautiful - the most rewarding 12 minutes on KZbin!

[@williamcampagna9851]

Guinness is awesome but Toby steals the scene.

[@randyhooker3333]

Classic acting. We do not have any of that today. Sad....

[@JohnR22926]

Fantastic. Absolutely superb.

[@neilcam]

Still one of the greatest TV series ever filmed, and still worth a rewatch once a year. And this is one of the many many great scenes.

[@SnorksSpectacles]

Wow, Alec Guinness and Bernard Hepton!!! I held my breath! The intensity of this scene and their chemistry are palpable. The silent sizing each other up once they've both entered the basement room. I love how the lighting design and the choreography strengthen this interaction. George sits still and in the spotlight while Toby dances around the room and around George from the shadows and distance into light, stillness and proximity to George to share important information, tell truths, reestablish their relationship. The George-Toby and George-Connie scenes in TTSS and SP must be the most intense of the two miniseries and perhaps in the whole of English-language telly. I wish I had been aware of these extraordinary actors during their life times.

[@delavalmilker]

Even after the Circus and Toby keep telling him to "drop it", Smiley keeps on digging, pursuing---trying to find the reasons behind Vladimir's death. When George shows the comromising photo of Oleg Kirov to Toby, asking if it's a forgery, Toby replies "I hope so". Because Toby knows that if it IS real, and that it's connected with Karla, George Smiley will REALLY be on the warpath.

[@timc924]

You start with a masterfully written story, patiently paced over a serial. Blend in a cast of superior actors whom so exquisitely capture the characters from the book and you have in this and Tinker-tailor, two of the most enduring, faithful and exemplary series ever produced- anywhere. I rest my case- dare to differ, but be sure to articulate in the most eloquent of manner, just why!

[@anthonywarwick6090]

Correct. It’s a superior story to any of the movies. 😊

[@timc924]

Glad you agree, and now I'm going to watch it again- thanks for the impetus. @@anthonywarwick6090

[@philippankhurst6680]

No differing - absolutely right, except that physically Guinness was nothing like the Smiley of the books. However, once seen and heard Guinness became Smiley to the extent that when reading the books I always hear his voice and imagine him cleaning his glasses with his tie.

[@timc924]

His voice and how he could punctuate a sentence with tone and modulation as well as an introspective yet revealing expression is pure perfection. I understand John LeCarre, in writing Smileys people fashioned the character of Smiley and his affectations around Sir Alec, due to his extraordinary performance in Tinker Tailor. Both series, in my well watched tellyography dating back to 60's & 70's TV, are vintage BBC products that stand the test of time. It's great to know others have these series under their skin too. @@philippankhurst6680

[@shafiqishaq4566]

The spymaster and his protégé, the only two from the old circus left with any teeth to take a last bite at Karla. Masterfully executed by patiently enticing the prey to take the bait.

[@akoniloki]

I love this scene- just love it. My favourite part is the "pull down the shutters, go home" monologue.

[@Karstendag]

Also, “you’re a spy in a hurry George. You used to say they were the worst.”

[@andyphillips7435]

“You used to say an old spy was the worst “ oh they are….

[@anthonywarwick6090]

Wonderful series I found on Amazon Prime. I only wish they would remaster and clean up to footage. The dialogue is fantastic. People don’t write material this deep anymore. It’s classic Smiley at his best. The world was simpler place back in the Cold War days.

[@Bruce-1956]

Outstanding series with outstanding actors.

[@occamraiser]

The BBC! What completely superb TV. From the people who brought you 'I Claudius' and 'Horizon'. Of course it helps that these are two superb actors at the top of their games.

[@ChrisCoombes]

5:55 glass of sherry nod