Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy: Ending Explained Review + The Chronological Order Of The Film

Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy: Ending Explained by Deffinition
Read more at: deffinition.co.uk
► Music Credit: LAKEY INSPIRED
Music By: LAKEY INSPIRED @ / lakeyinspired
Official "LAKEY INSPIRED" KZbin Channel HERE - / @lakeyinspired
License for commercial use: Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported "Share Alike" (CC BY-SA 3.0) License.
Full License HERE - creativecommons.org/licenses/...
Music promoted by NCM goo.gl/fh3rEJ
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy is a 2011 spy thriller starring Gary Oldman, Tom Hardy, Benedict Cumberbatch, Mark Strong and Colin Firth. The cerebral conspiracy centres around British Intelligence investigating a mole within their ranks. Due to its non-linear plot and subtle ending, it may leave some viewers scratching their heads.
Throughout this video, I will be discussing the key aspects of the film as well as what it’s ending signifies. This is a classic movie so I highly recommend that you go and check it out if you haven’t already. Obviously, there will be key spoilers here and it is definitely worth your time.
With that out the way, I’m Deffinition and this is my ending explained video for Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy.
The Plot In Chronological Order
In order to understand the movie we must first structure it in Chronological order. The plot element that initiates the entire film involves Gary Oldman’s character Smiley, attempting to get the Russian Agent Karla to defect from his country. During their meeting, Smiley discusses his wife and gives the Russian Agent a lighter that he received as a present from her. Karla does not defect and instead uses this meeting to come to the realisation that Smiley and his wife’s relationship is very fragile.
The next key event is the Christmas party. Here, the double agent Bill Haydon, played by Colin Firth, is tasked with destroying Smiley’s relationship and he begins an affair with the character’s wife. His assumed lover and good friend Jim, played by Mark Strong, notices the affair and comes to the realisation that Bill is only participating in the act because he has been given it as a mission and is, therefore, a double agent.
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy Ending Explained
Witchcraft
Witchcraft is then set up by Alleline. This involves a safehouse in which a Russian Mole gives agents intelligence on the KGB. However, in the film we discover that the apparent Russian Double Agent is, in fact, a Triple Agent and that he is only supplying Britain with low-level intelligence, instead using this opportunity to gain in-depth knowledge on the British Secret Service from Bill Haydon.
Ricky Tarr uncovers this when investigating the Russian Agent and begins having an affair with his wife, someone who is later killed during an interrogation that follows the next plot point.
Jim and Budapest
Jim is tasked with traveling to Budapest in order to find out the identity of the mole. However, the mission is a setup, Jim is shot, captured and interrogated. Karla believes that he is the agent having an affair with the Russian Spy’s wife but when he doesn’t flinch upon seeing her executed they realise that they are mistaken.
The mission going sour forces Control and Smiley to resign and Bill’s cover is safe because of the affair that he was having that allowed him to be aware of the mission.
Bill manages to get Jim released and the character returns to England where he is forced to play dead and take a new career path.
The Return Of Ricky Tarr
Ricky Tarr returns to England and after reaching out to Oliver about the mole, Smiley is reinstated. During his investigation, he discovers that Jim is still alive and after finding Ricky Tarr comes to the realisation that there is definitely a mole in the organisation.
Smiley sends Tarr to Paris in order to send a message that will entrap the mole and at the safe house set up by Witchcraft, he confronts him. It is revealed that Bill deliberately broke down Smiley’s marriage as part of a mission and the character is murdered by Jim in the final scene. We watch as a tear rolls down both of their cheeks, one of blood and the other of pain.
Read more at: deffinition.co.uk

[@heavyspoilers]

Have you rewatched Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy? What did you think about it? Comment below and let me know!

[@Lighting_Desk]

deffinition I only just recently watched it inspite the fact of it being on my watch list for a long time. Amazing but watched when exhausted so my brain almost crashed.

[@mikecollins8706]

what happened to Rickie Tarr at end?

[@jeremiahsalyer7784]

I did have to watch it twice lol. But by the third time I watched it, I had watched old classic tv version, read the novel, listened to the audiobook, and listened to the radio drama. So I got it eventually. It's a great movie.

[@glenporteous4438]

@@mikecollins8706 The way I see it after reading the books & the Alec Guiness version. Its viewed as a phyric victory. They won but at what cost?

[@gregwong7307]

One thing you left out, which was one of the few explicitly explained points of the movie, is that the Brits were not the target of Karla's plan, but the Americans. The Brits wanted to use Witchcraft to bargain with the CIA to get the CIA to share more intel with the Brits. This intel would eventually find it's way to Karla via the mole.

[@je7055]

it's not often you find movies these days that refuse to insult the viewer's intelligence to the degree that this movie does. it takes a lot of confidence in the script, acting, direction & editing to demand as much of the viewer's attention as the film does. at any given time if you get distracted and look away for two seconds you legitimately might miss something crucial to understanding what the heck is happening. like everyone's already said, it takes more than one viewing to get all the details down, but once you do - man, it really makes you appreciate the sheer quality of the filmmaking. i haven't seen many movies that have this level of incredible acting stuffed into them.

[@TroenderTass]

And that begs the question, why? Why would you want to watch a movie over and over again to understand all the details? At the end of it what do you possible get out of solving a fictional puzzle that is designed to make you waist your time trying to piece it together? That is what I will never understand when I see argumentation like this. Don't you have other things you can challenge your mind on, that eventually would even have benefits, other than being able to pice together a pice of someone else imagination? Why would anyone want to work on a pice of fiction to be able to appriciate it? I just don't get it. It makes no sense.

[@ax0r]

@@TroenderTass its fiction firmly based on reality, why do u think cinema must be easily digested? Are ppl only allowed to be puzzled by a game? I dont rly get why u r so mad about

[@Ronins5thElement]

I started watching this last night and paused it like 19 times, was just kinda trying to pay like 80-90%attention while messing with other things. About 30 mins in, I had no fking idea what was going on. Turned it off. Just watched it again tonight with no distractions and while I was fairly certain I grasped everything, I came to this video to be sure. Lol. You really can't look away! 😂

[@je7055]

@@TroenderTass Who said anything about needing to watch it over and over again? Who said the film's purpose is to waste your time? The movie is perfectly comprehensible for a first-time viewer as long as they're paying attention. The point was that you find extra details on subsequent viewings that make the film even more engaging. That doesn't preclude an enjoyable first viewing by any means. It's simply a characteristic of strong filmmaking. The main goal is to tell a compelling story, but if a director can do that while also building a rich subtext, his/her work will resonate even more deeply with viewers. Kubrick might be the best example. Good art rewards active viewing/reading regardless of the medium. That's true of all the classics, from every era and movement, and indeed why they're the classics in the first place. Whether it's literature like Moby Dick or Bleak House or modern artful TV like Mad Men or True Detective. All are great to read/watch for the stories they tell, but they all also happen to have rich subtexts. Hamlet is really cool when you read between the lines and ask questions like "did Hamlet go crazy after he decided to pretend to be crazy, or was he always crazy? What did he mean when he said X/Y/Z, did he mean it literally or was there a double meaning?" Or if that's not your cup of tea you can just read it as a neat tragedy about a neurotic prince whose circumstances drive him insane. That's cool too. A strong story works on all levels. I guess I don't quite get the objection. If a book/movie were just a bunch of self-indulgent avant-garde nonsense that's not even rewarding to a casual viewer, I'd agree with you, but nobody's saying Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy is completely impossible to understand unless you watch it a hundred times, nor that it's something to be "worked on" like some kind of job. As for the benefits, it depends who you ask, but what benefits are you expecting from films? Lots of folks would say an enjoyable movie is a beneficial way to pass a couple of hours. Other people might quote Wilde and say "all art is quite useless." Isn't it a matter of semantics in either case?

[@howardsternisbatman]

@@TroenderTass what an odd fellow you are.

[@JP-pm8tk]

Christ, even with an explanation I still can’t get my head around it.

[@dylanmorgan2752]

The whole film is about counter intelligence against the soviets after the British secret service are given reason to believe there is a double agent/ mole in their organisation. This is based heavily on the original book by ex secret service worker John Le Carre who based the plot on an actual ring of soviet moles that were uncovered in the 60’s while he was still working there. The book and the film are deliberately filled with complicated coded language and spy jargon so as to throw off even a very experienced viewer at any time. The way these stories are written a lot of the time is in a plain narrative but it’s told to you as if you’re another agent in the room trying to gain information. It presents the intelligence battle as a secret chess game taking place between the superpowers where every piece is used from the king to the pawn. So in short, it’s meant to be complicated, too much to explain in one KZbin comment, but it’s miles better after reading the book.

[@flikkie72]

Exactly this. Still really, really confused.

[@sheva_sd]

I watched it 4 times! What a great fucking movie! Problem is you can’t afford even a second of distraction :) it is a masterpiece indeed

[@Bette_Fontenot]

I was thinking the same thing LOL

[@BabyKobeeee]

I found it pretty easy to understand scene by scene , besides needing to rewind maybe like twice. The thing I didn’t like is they never formerly introduces “Karla” you kind of just had to guess as to who or what it even meant. They threw the name around too much to not explain it.

[@DSQueenie]

Ricky doesn’t have an affair with Polyakov’s wife (the double/triple agent) but a second unconnected Russian agent’s wife. She just so happens to know that there is a mole in the Circus because she is an agent herself. But it is Smiley that identifies them (Bill and Polyakov) as she doesn’t know the details. Jim doesn’t know for certain that Bill is a mole but Smiley posits that deep down he suspected it which is why he warned Bill about Control’s mission. It is implied they were in a relationship at university and Bills comments about the boy and girls to pay off are more to highlight his dual nature. We see earlier that he is notorious for being the first to flirt with new girls but behind closed doors was bisexual. The Russians don’t think Jim is Ricky they just kill Irene in front of him so he’ll tell the Circus and discourage them from recruiting Russian informers. Ricky, when he returns to England, goes to Peter first (as Peter was his handler and boss) and it is Peter that informs he Minister Oliver.

[@scvman992000]

Yeah I agree with you on these plot points. That was my understanding as well about the agent's wife. I've watched this movie so many times and I think I've finally got it down, but I still could be wrong. Such a great movie though...a true masterpiece.

[@BabyKobeeee]

^this, 2minutes into the video and it already went wrong. The movie is not that overtly complicated besides the “Karla” aspect. This guy should have just explained the story chronologically because it’s a lot simpler that way.

[@erinpitman8246]

I really enjoyed this film and recently have been watching the BBC version. To the film, there were scenes with Gary Oldman, Smiley, with him looking out of a window at some train tracks. It took me a bit to understand the symbolism and eventually grew to understand that Smiley was connecting the dots. You see, the final scene with the train tracks showed them switching as the green light lit up for the train to connect the track. By this point, Smiley still didn't know the identity of the mole, but he knew the approach to catching him. Brilliantly played.

[@goodgood9955]

Err, what?

[@tuscanyjc]

@@erinpitman8246 Oh he knew and told the Prime Minister that

[@michaelmacek474]

When I first watched this movie, I was not prepared to pay close enough attention to details. Two days later I watched it again. And then, a week later I watched once more. It took all 3 viewings before I understood everything.

[@erinpitman8246]

I love this film and admit it took a few viewings to understand the meaning of the scenes with the train tracks. As best I can describe, those scenes represented Smiley in deep thought while formulating his ideas and conclusions as to the identity of the mole.

[@PacTheOne]

@@erinpitman8246 well duh

[@JeighNeither]

Same, but I just kept falling asleep. Not because it's slow; I was just watching it late at night. Finally I just decided to F'off my morning and watched it when wide awake haha. Great film. One of Oldman's best.

[@wrc1210]

I feel like you really need to read the book to truly understand this story.

[@Rinifi]

I read Le Carre's book many years ago and I remember it as one of the most dense and complicated story plots I had ever encountered, but also one of the most satisfying. Even with that background I had to pay attention every second while watching the movie. Hats off to Tomas Alfredson to bringing such a novel to the screen. It was a monumental task and he did it. Pity, that the prequel (The honorable Schoolboy) and the sequel (Smiley's People) were not also filmed by him, although the BBC did produce a multi part presentation of Smiley's People for TV starring Alec Guinness as George Smiley.

[@scvman992000]

This film is a masterpiece. From the plot, to the way it's shot, to the great understated acting...a great and highly underrated movie.

[@lamrof]

understated acting means yawning to those who are not part of the culture. I find this movie incredibly boring.

[@hassestockholm]

@@lamrof and I find you incredibly stupid.

[@scytale2242]

And the soundtrack... That music fits just perfectly !

[@situated4]

The ending song montage was a masterpiece. A muther-effing masterpiece.

[@situated4]

@@lamrof You would.

[@ricdimarco1499]

Just watched this movie and, immediately afterward, this video. I have four college degrees. Two are in history. One is in Russian. I was in the Navy for six years. I bring all of that up only to establish my credentials so as to qualify the following statement: I have absolutely no clue what the heck happened in this movie.

[@yggdrasil3]

Repeated viewings man, that's the name of the game.

[@Blood0cean]

What's ur 4th degree in ? And tbh I'm more confused how u have 4 degrees more than the movie? Tbh sounds like collage is a joke. Idk how US degrees work.

[@ricdimarco1499]

Blood0cean Russian, History, Teaching History, and Educational Leadership. I got those over the course of 13 years.

[@guaguancos.montunodcubop8923]

@@ricdimarco1499 ..i just read your comment...and immediately after typed this comment. I have no degrees what so ever. I bring all that up only to establish your comment made me spit my tea out. Fuckin hilarious😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂. Great comment!

[@kunjbiharibudania4866]

😂😬

[@xakilegnadee]

The tv adaptation of Tinker, Tailor with Alec Guinness is more in depth and includes details that are not included in the film version.i highly recommend it. I also recommend the actual audiobook.

[@kingofmphs]

The 1979 BBC production is fantastic and it’s around 6-7 hours so there is obviously a lot more back story that helps explain everything!

[@YggdrasilAudio]

Not to be rude, but, no shit the TV series managed to include more details and tackle deeper themes than the two hour movie.

[@joefish6091]

Also the TV version of Smileys People. the beginning interview setup between Kirov and Madame Ostrakova, classic and brutal.

[@scapegoat762]

The BBC version, although it was a struggle sometimes because of the British jargon and mannerisms, was far superior. The claustrophobic, penny pinching dreariness of a British government still financially bankrupt from WW2 and the just-short-of-socialist Labor party welfare state spending makes the movie's James Bond- lite setting look ridiculously forced. The BBC version was very much analog, with things done "manually"- as 1970s Britain actually was. The movie magically transported the story to a digital 21st century, but with 1970s cars and dial telephones. Also, for some reason, the movie moved characters around. The person manning the station when Ricky Tarr's message came in was magically changed from Sam Collins, a louche full-time agent in the circus, to Jerry Westerby, who everywhere else in the Le Carre canon, is a part time asset who works as a newspaper writer. A story-line was also wedged in about Peter Guillam being forced to break up a homosexual relationship in the movie. I didn't catch any allusion to this in the BBC version, or anywhere in Le Carre's works.

[@garethgriffiths1674]

​@@scapegoat762In the TV series, a pinnacle moment I'd when Smiley asks Bill Haden why he did what he did. Bill is incredulous: "I vehemently hate America... and Britain has become America's street walker.." In other words, there are ideological reasons behind his actions which are not accounted for in the film.

[@avardmacgregor746]

The novel, the mini-series, the movie ... in that order. All great. Best spy story of all time.

[@crobeastness]

What about the 1979 movie and what about the spy movie 'The Lives of Others (2006)'

[@hendrixfirstone8975]

Check out spy game

[@crobeastness]

@@hendrixfirstone8975 spy game is great, but its not even in the same league as tinker tailor

[@jleddy]

Don’t forget the BBC audio play…great as well!

[@Pow3llMorgan]

It's just one of those films that requires more than one watch. When all the pieces come together, however, it reveals itself as one of the best spy-thrillers ever made.

[@TroenderTass]

"This beer taste like shit. But once you had 6 of them in the next hour, it's starting to taste good and life seems alot better". Okay buddy.

[@Pow3llMorgan]

@@TroenderTass It's not that the beer tastes like shit, it's that you do not recognize the flavor at all.

[@garyreid2178]

The scene where Smiley is interrogating an associate about loyalty on the runway of an airfield was my favorite scene because the guy definitely didn’t want to go back to where he was from because he would be killed if he did go back. Of course, the Christmas party scene was a great scene because there was some peace and no good will because of Haydon having an affair with Smiley’s wife and cheating on Jim. Ricky Tar’s dedication to Smiley, although Smiley couldn’t find the woman Ricky fell in love with was noteworthy. The story of how he met her was classic. The most shocking part was the story of Jim’s captivity and mental torture in Russia after being set up. He sees the woman, who was involved with Ricky Tar and when asked if he knew her, he honestly says that he didn’t and the woman is shot in front of him. If he knew that she was involved with Ricky Tar, he might have found a way to save her, but both would probably be killed. Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy was a cool espionage thriller that does require more than just one viewing. Because of its unique story, and characters, you really don’t have any idea what is happening. I love this film.

[@jayesh5131]

Well put comment Do you have any more such movie recommendations?

[@claudefortier3494]

Small detail: The Russian double-agent supplies low level information NOT to receive information on the British intelligence service but rather to receive information shared from the American intelligence services.

[@landl190372]

I've watched this several times and it stands up to further repeated viewing. It's as near to perfection as you could get. I hope so much that they tackle the other novels too!

[@jayesh5131]

Do you have any other movie recommendations?

[@landl190372]

Bridge of Spies with Tom Hanks is a good watch, but not in this league. Michael Caine's early Harry Palmer films are still cool, and Richard Burton in The Spy Who Came in From the Cold is as dark as it gets.@@jayesh5131

[@EdnaMillion.]

I've seen this film half a dozen times. It's in my top ten. There is something intangible about it, like we can never completely know it. Which is part of what makes it so rewatchable.

[@jimmerhardy]

Last night, I watched for the fourth time. That's why I'm here. The film is astounding and haunting, a masterpiece.

[@Celtic-Films]

It's a sophisticated and subtle film, a lot is hidden, and that gives it a good espionage feeling to the story.

[@WhocaresWhy44]

I love it when that Railway Signal goes Green and Smiley puts it together.

[@spc0710]

One of the best spy movies I have ever seen . Action no required , classic plot as per the older series

[@lcmickle]

Tinker Tailor is one of top go to films I repeatedly watch before bed. It did take a few times to wrap my brain around everything. Connie also explained the alleged gay agents as "the inseparables" helping solidifying my assumptions. Great actors and characters. Highly Recommended.

[@eduruk]

When Smiley was visiting Connie, she was looking art some old pictures and said something like "all my boys"... to which Smiley answers "it was the war"... Connie goes on "A real war? The British men can be proud then"... What does this conversation mean? I watched the movie many times but cannot understand some dialogues including this one. Can somebody help me understand?

[@IR-xy3ij]

@@eduruk WW2

[@gordonbrownpm3853]

@@eduruk World War II, when it was easier to see you were on the side of the good, and all (generally) were on the same side. Now in the cold war many of your own side were traitors, and some things our own side did morally questionable (for the author. Personally I am no more sympathetic to Stalin than Hitler)

[@gordonbrownpm3853]

Also it was heroic fighting rather than sneaking about spying on each other

[@anitasmith4559]

"Wicked, wicked, George!"

[@JackChambersWard]

I can't believe how far Paul has come as a voice over artist, writer and editor since this video five years ago! Proof of what hard work and dedication can do!

[@geraldmaserjian2211]

Greatest spy story of all time. And, yes I've watched the movie several times to fully understand and appreciate the complex plot.

[@calebmasson6327]

I've watched this movie 50 times at least can't get enough of it the style the choice of music and color there is nothing like it a good case of less is more and the end scene where smily takes off his noisey shoes and takes a lil pistol out of a tiny bag while eating tums is amazing so English I love just writing bout it

[@davidpaterson5331]

Smiley was eating a very English sweet, called Trebor mints.

[@kidlast4154]

Thank u i always assumed it was like a anti acid like tums thanks for info!

[@fincarosa]

One of my fave films ever. Every time I watch it I get a little bit more out of it. As you say, a classic!

[@shonty4986]

I need an explanation for the explanation now

[@sagarj9286]

😀

[@SlinkiestTortoise23]

Shonty What’s confusing you?

[@warkills.blogspot]

So who killed Smiley ? Covid 19 !!!!!

[@yungbruv1394]

@@warkills.blogspot wait smiley died???

[@johnhanson6002]

You have Smiley reinstated far too soon. He doesn't come back until after Hayden is caught.

[@fruzsimih7214]

It's actually the very last scene of the movie that it's revealed that he is now Control.

[@Whippetvideo]

He’s not reinstated so much as engaged by Lacon to investigate the mole. At the end we see him properly reinstated as the new head of the Circus.

[@pinakadhara7650]

Yes! I thought I had got it confused!

[@rebeccam7717]

Correct. The reason he was tasked by Lacon with finding the mole was because he was _outside_ the Circus.

[@troller2423]

This is one of my new favorite movies, I love the subtle drama and tension created until the end of the film. The music for it is amazing as well and def gets you in the mood for the idea of a 70s cold espionage film.

[@geertdecoster5301]

I've read the book and seen the tv-series. It's my personal opinion that Gary Oldman was the better Smiley and the rest of the cast were indeed splendid too. No, I just can't forget Mark Strong's Jim Prideaux and that's a really good sign. Surely anyone can see what his true feelings during the whole Bill Haydon story was. His willingness to find out for sure, and his utter disgust of himself and the whole affaire. In short, the movie adaptation emphasizes Prideaux's linguistic and intellectual abilities, presenting him as more scholarly and reserved than the book or miniseries. Nonetheless, he is still depicted as a competent soldier. Sure, the tv-series had more of the details but I don't mind that because the movie is excellent nevertheless. It's a spy movie that shows clearly that progress of time for us considering the spy world hasn't stood still at all.

[@Alia-bc3rc]

You forgot to mention that Jim Prideaux half knew that Bill Haydon is the mole, that's why he warned him before he went to Budapest. Also, I don't think Jim & Bill's staring each other at the Christmas Party got anything to do about affair with Ann, it's much more layered and complex than that.

[@johnhanson6002]

I've always taken them to be lovers. But revealing that would have been the end of the Circus for both.

[@tuscanyjc]

Control only told Jim though. They were lovers and Jim tried to protect Bill only to receive the ultimate betrayal hence why he shed a tear as he popped him

[@Henry-ey9tt]

I just rewatched this fascinating, demanding film and I think this plot point in ambiguous. It's too much to expect that Jim Prideaux realized Bill Haydon was the mole because he'd initiated an affair with Smiley's wife -- even as close as Jim and Bill were, it strains credulity that this could be conveyed by an exchange of looks at a drunken office Xmas party, as some have argued. I think "half-knew" is about right. I also think that after Jim tipped Bill off about the upcoming Budapest operation, Bill tried to save him by persuading the Soviets to return Jim to the UK after interrogation rather than executing him. (Yet another reason for the expression of anguish and regret when Bill sees Jim about to shoot him at the end of the film.) If Prideaux had never returned, he obviously never would have helped Smiley expose Bill as the mole.

[@redstar7292]

Jim and Bill were definatly lovers. Not friends, boyfriends or just having gay sex, or in a relationship. They didn't need to give each other flowers or valentines cards either.. it would appear like a close friendship. It was shown very well the under current. Yes i think he figured out what Bill was up to, then he had the heartache of having to put a bullet into him.

[@joefish6091]

@@redstar7292 Its worse or better in the book, he strangles him in cold blood.

[@proman1926]

One of my favorite movies of recent years. Gary Oldman and atom Hardy reunited after this for The Dark Knight Rises.

[@pj9259]

Amazing film. True masterpiece. Everytime I watch it I see something new that I hadnt noticed before.

[@ReshiramR52]

I rewatched this movie yesterday (for the 6th time!). I didn't think there would be a video explaining the chronological order of the film, but I'm glad that I found yours. Well done!

[@ReshiramR52]

Gary Oldman's performance as George Smiley is my favorite performance of all time. And the movie brings me back memories from 2012 wich is when I first watched it.

[@heavyspoilers]

Thank you

[@safeman1231]

One of the great examples of writing and cinematography of all time, full accolades to all involved, and yes I have the DVD and will watch it again soon.

[@GamezGuru1]

the DVD? not the VHS then? fancy!

[@BossmanWilderMEZ]

Very dope explanation as always Deff!! 👊

[@heavyspoilers]

Bossman WilderMEZ thank you man

[@morgangendel7734]

The ending set to La Mer is so brilliantly economical in its storytelling and emotional impact of Smiley's return to the seat of power -- I'd love to now how they came up with the idea of setting it to this presumaby obscure, recorded-live, classic French tune sung by Julio Iglesias. This kind of movie-making -- subtle, nuanced, depending on the emotional availability of its audience -- is almost never seen in mainstream offerings.

[@kdee8166]

Watched a number of times and not only is this a masterpiece, but finally understood in all its complexity. One that has you thinking long after viewing. Superb.

[@DeltaCJ]

Ive seen this movie atleast 12 times Its a masterpiece. I still hadnt realized karla was tipped off to smileys marital troubles by the lighter until this video. Fantastic.

[@pxglee]

Its my opinion, that Irina was presented to Bill Haydon, to verify, if Irina’s identity was known to Control or Circus. Knowing the secret was safe, they shot her in front of Jim. So, if Jim was ever debriefed, Bill Haydon would know he is safe since Irina was disposed with. And yes, i have been watching this film again and again. I love this films, theme song, aesthetics, acting and its haunting story of betrayal

[@nw906]

Spot on.

[@paultaylor7059]

I think that it is vital in understanding the background to this movie to realise the state of the UK at the time and it's relationship with the US. The UKs self image as a world power was on its deathbed but the British establishment was desperate to operate on an equal footing with US security services in terms of Cold War involvement. The British establishment couldn't see the wood for the trees and their desperation was easily exploited by the Russians who dangled morsels to the British that were greedily snapped up. Control and Smiley realised all this and were very wary of what was being offered. The story is, at heart, really a reflection of British decline in world affairs

[@janii.1271]

Rewatched it today, such a great movie (propably ten years ago since I first saw it). First time watching it I didnt totally understand it, for example, I thought Prideaux shot Haydon in the end just cause he was a traitor. It was just after watching it a second time I understood there was more to it.

[@danmann861]

It is a pretty linear film all things considered. The only time we ever go backwards is either when we enter Smiley's memories or during the questioning scenes where others tell Smiley their story. Other than that the film is pretty linear. The jargon is maybe the hardest thing for people to get their heads wrapped around. But once you get it, it's a pure joy to watch unfold. It's one of the finest films I've seen in a long time. A story about a group of closed down men all in a tangled web of deceit unable to reveal themselves

[@bobrichey1]

I agree. They explicitly state that they are trying to determine if there is a mole and who it could be, then they find the mole. I’m kind of confused by the confusion.

[@jayesh5131]

Yeah I agree Understood it the first time Just one question, where is Roy Bland? Did I miss something

[@proserfina21096]

Thanks for the explanation. It's such a mind-blowing film.

[@heavyspoilers]

proserfina21096 thanks for the comment

[@xdadev]

Although Bill might've persuaded Soviets to return Jim after interrogation.... Soviets themselves make sure that Jim isn't the one they're looking for by shooting the girl in front of him to see his reaction. Thus, Soviets (basically Karla) realises that Jim isn't the one they're after (it's actually Ricky) and hence they decide to return him back to England. The girl was also shot by Soviets because she was the one who gives away to Ricky (which Soviets thought was Jim) that there's a mole at the top in the Circus. When the girl is caught initially in the movie and taken via boat to Russia, she hid from Soviets that the guy she secretly dated was actually Ricky and not Jim. Soviets realise that she lied when Jim says he doesn't know who she is and thus they shoot the girl. Poor ricky trades with Smiley unknowing that Smiley by now has been told by Jim that they shot the girl (Rickys lover). Cheers.

[@RCD434]

What always strikes me is how, if the goal of the mole is to destabilize and call into question the integrity of the British spy structure among its operatives, then the mole very much succeeds regardless of his being caught. If the goal is to remove Control (Hurt), the mole succeeds. There's no way to see finding the mole as a success story in any way. And that's what I really love about this movie: how it rejects the triumph or redemption that most spy movies revel in when a mole is caught.

[@brucetucker4847]

There's even more than that. The most valuable intel Karla was getting out of the mole wasn't anything directly to do with British Intelligence. The Circus was trading the worthless Witchcraft material to the CIA ("the Cousins") in return for American intel which the mole could then send back to Moscow Station. When the mole was finally blown in addition to everything else it spoiled the relationship between the Circus and the Cousins so the latter wouldn't share any more intelligence with what they thought was a compromised and incompetent operation. However in the subsequent books a lot is gained from the uncovering of the mole.

[@soosidescott]

Thanks for this. Ive just watched it for the third time and using headphones, replaying scenes and your video i think i have cracked it ! Terrific movie

[@HDB1974]

Is it just me that thinks Prideux knew all along that Hayden was a soviet agent but said nothing because he was secretly in love with Hayden. Let me recommend that you watch the Alec Guinness TV series version and to read the book to fully understand all the nuance.

[@fitou143]

Good review, this is a great film brilliantly produced and filmed an intriguing plot from start to finish one you can watch again and again.

[@heavyspoilers]

Thank you

[@itsjoan42]

TG and Thank You!.....watched this last night and at its end had nothing but assumptions and little more. Given your explanation will watch again and able to enjoy and understand.

[@nickbayer7847]

Just re-watched, still just as enthralling

[@1smallball]

Oh boy soft talking guy and background music. Always a winner.

[@scottboyd3838]

One of my favorite films of all time, with an epic cast. Watched it at least 5 times. Hardy , Cumberbatch, Oldman, Firth, Hinds, Toby Jones.!!!

[@liamkeegan432]

Seeing people are confused so I'll try and do the gist. Whilst aboard Ricki Tarr started an affair with the wife of Boris, a Russian he was tailing. Irina, his wife, deduced Tarr was a spy and confessed they were both employed by Moscow Centre and that the Circus had a mole. When his operation was attacked and irina taken back, he deduced that it was real and went to ground, getting Guillam and Smiley involved. This was given more weight by Smiley's discovery that Control had been investigating this before Tarr, and that when Prideaux had been shot and presumably killed during Operation Testify, he was trying to obtain a codename off a Hungarian general, planted by Moscow Centre as a result of Prideaux telling Haydon his mission to find the Mole in order to protect Haydon, who was a close friend. Smiley started looking into rearranging after his and controls ousting, and went to Connie who was also sacked and had been close with them. She alluded to it being over Polyakov having military history and Alleline wanting it dropped. At the time he was promoting Operation Witchcraft and nobody knew Polyakov was the source. This led to Smiley discovering various other things, such as a secret safehouse, missing log entries from Tarrs op, and payment to Prideaux's codename, as well as Haydon's sharp arrival the night Prideaux was shot. Eventually Smiley deduced that Polyakov had to be the source for witchcraft because he was in London all the time and had access to that level of policy. He also established that the safehouse and Polyakov were a cover for the Mole, and that whilst people thought they were getting good intelligence, most of it was fake. The Intel's real purpose was to get America to trade their secrets to Britain, so that the Mole could pass it along to Moscow Centre. Smiley felt Esterhase was the easiest to manipulate because he could threaten to deport him unless he got the address of the safehouse, and new that if he got Tarr to send message it would force an emergency meeting and likely result in the Mole meeting Polyakov immediately afterwards to inform him of Tarr's location so Karla could have him killed. The end is mainly about Haydons betrayal of Jim. Connie alludes to the two being very good friends, and in the book they are much more explicit about them having potentially been lovers. Prideaux trusted Haydon, but also suspected he was the Mole, and told him so he could save himself. Haydon was able to prevent Jim's death, but Prideaux felt betrayed because of the torture and the fact he wasn't told, hence why he locates and assassinates Haydon before the Circus can trade him for operatives held by Karla's 13th Directorate in Moscow Centre

[@dajosee]

Well done. At any scene in the film, is there an image of Karla?

[@liamkeegan432]

@@dajosee one. When jim is recounting his interrogation he mentions Karla had a lighter with the inscription to George all my love from Ann, and then it cuts to Karla sitting in the cafe as the insanity of Operation Testify unfolds around him. In the miniseries with Alec Guinness Karla is seen much more more, and the whole scene where George talks to Karla as if he is in the chair is actually parlty a flashback to the prison, where Karla is portrayed by Sir Patrick Stewart

[@dajosee]

@@liamkeegan432 I have not see the Television series. Which version do you prefer?

[@liamkeegan432]

@@dajosee both are fantastic. Typically if you mention le Carré Alec Guinness' portrayal is considered to be the most famous one, to the point where alec Guinness' version is the one that appears as the photograph on the Wikipedia page, but when I read it I envisioned the character much closer to how Gary Oldman portrayed it, and the same is also true of how John Hurt played Control and Benedict Cumberbatch played Guillam. Could be an age thing tho considering I wasn't about when the miniseries was on

[@garyfrombrooklyn]

I saw this on my feed and did not know you reviewed this. This is one of my favorites and was disheartened when they didn’t continue with the rest of the Smiley series, Honorable School Boy and Smiley’s People. I liked the pacing of this adaptation and the way the film was shot.

[@kaspergutman9050]

watch the bbc dramatization or better yet, read the book. you will find that it is impossible to do the story justice in a 2 hour movie. even though the performances by oldman, hurt, and strong were wonderful

[@heavyspoilers]

Yeah I need to watch it, think it might even be on youtube

[@glendamcgee1779]

@@heavyspoilers When you watch the BBC version on KZbin, be sure to watch the 7 episode British one, the PBS version was cut down dramatically and is only 6 episods.

[@CameronJamesPhillips]

@@heavyspoilers it is on youtube the whole thing

[@kirk8429]

An excellent film with strong performances in all the parts. Made me go and watch the BBC series which then made me wish this film had given Oldman (Smiley) the chance to rub the others faces in it like the series did. Will be a crime if they don't remake Smiley's People with this cast.

[@S2Cents]

Absolutely.

[@johnhanson6002]

Smiley's People is one of my favourite books across all genres. Le Carré's writing at its best.

[@gfweis]

I've just watched the film for what I think is the seventh time, yet I learned a coupe things from this video that I didn't pick up before. Thanks.

[@austntexan]

This film did an excellent job of making me feel like a very dumb American. I've seen it twice over the years and had to make my way to YT to have a spoiler explain it to my dumb brain. I absolutely love the tone of this film. It really does watch like a gripping novel reads.

[@tarquinbullocks1703]

You're no dummy. It was just a badly made film.

[@provablegrub4581]

tarquin bullocks Not badly made at all. No idea how you came to that conclusion.

[@tarquinbullocks1703]

@@provablegrub4581 The casting is horrible. Watch the BBC series.

[@MADHEWPRAGUE]

@@tarquinbullocks1703 I agree, one of the most boring films i have ever seen.

[@joefish6091]

@@MADHEWPRAGUE Not quite boring but too much a copy of the TV series, they should have changed or updated the story and era. Nobody would have complained much about a more modern version.

[@kirk8429]

I became so enthralled with this film, and thought the two BBC series were outstanding. Can only hope they remake Smiley's People with the same cast in a movie or another mini-series. Tinker does a great job of not giving anything away until the trap is sprung. Smiley gets a kind of redemption but Karla is still out there. Ending song was curiously wonderful.

[@deduce9980]

Ending song..Julio Iglesias covering "La Mer" in French. julio iglesias la mer live

[@crazymudman123]

I loved the soothing music in the background, along with your explanation of the film. Definitely will check out your other videos!

[@heavyspoilers]

crazymudman123 thank you

[@frankdodd3355]

I love this film and never had trouble with it. I am no genius. I just love the quiet, subtle, deadly world of espionage and international intrigue and have since I was a young lad. So maybe that gave me some insight. I also love the film Blind Fury, so there's that.

[@christopherjones7459]

Excellent movie. it not only captures the original story but also replicates the look and feel of the time in which the story is set (1970s). The clothes, cars, London scenes all look right, the use of a telex machine from that era is absolutely correct. I do wonder if this detail passes over or confuses those young enough that they did not live through these times.

[@lphan4597]

The original series with Alec Guineas is excellent. Smiley's People has lots of famous Brit actors in early roles. Alan Rickman, Patrick Stewert...

[@glendamcgee1779]

The BBC 7 episode TV version is superb.

[@lucaverckx365]

It is amazing that Gary Oldman wears the same glasses of Alec Guinness (the previous Smiley in two TV series), that hower are the same or very similar to the ones worn by Kim Philby, the famous (real) spy, or better told the real mole

[@jordanleach4937]

I was confused throughout most of this movie, I had to look up IMDb constantly to remind myself who the names of each character was. I don't intend to rewatch it all but I do have one thing that I would like answered that this video pointed out that somewhat makes at least the ending a bit more sense. At what point is it suggested that Jim and Bill are lovers, I suppose it now makes sense his relationship with the young boy because he has the same name, but why did Jim shoot Bill at the end?

[@rebeccam7717]

@Jordan Leach: I think Jim shot Bill because of how Bill betrayed him and allowed him to fall into Karla's hands and be tortured. Jim clearly loved Bill, and I think his heart was simply broken by what Bill had allowed to happen to him. The movie makes it clear that Bill knew about Jim being sent to Budapest and had informed the Soviets of Jim's mission, which was how Jim came to be ambushed. Nonetheless, Jim still loves Bill, which is why we see a tear roll down his face after he shoots him.

[@Mutasis_Mutandis]

In the original Tinker movie, Jim and Smiley are having a conversation in a car. Smiley informs Jim of a letter that Bill had written, singing his praises and the inference of an infatuation. Jim remarks, “We were such kids then.”

[@scottsertich564]

This helps tremendously.

[@derekallen5219]

Due tothe extensive use of 'Flashback scenes', an important part of the story in the movie adaptation is the short scene near the beginning when Smillie goes to the optician to get new eye glasses. Very often in the flashbacks, the only indication that it is in fact flashback rather than real time, is the glasses that George is wearing

[@Edd25164605]

This movie did a mind job on me. So glad there were vids to explain.

[@indianocean7271]

Seriously stop with the background musac, I can't hear you with that noise droning on behind!

[@gregorylent]

loved it .. and then loved the alec guiness one from 1979, on you tube, just as much

[@easternguy3430]

Gary Oldman is brilliant in this film. He plays Smiley in a very minimalist kind of way. But what drives this story is Control’s search for the mole which eventually gets him fired. Smiley is the one who picks up the story. Smiley’s take on the Cold War is that you had the British on one side and the Soviets on the other each side probing the other to find their weaknesses. And this meant not just the weakness of the organizations involved, but the personal weaknesses of the people running them. Smiley’s personal weakness is his marriage which is quite fragile, but he manages to rise above it. In the process he finds the mole and the plot they put together to extract intelligence from the British and the Americans.

[@janjud1828]

Well casted, great script, book and directing ‼️

[@ericrawson7669]

Thanks for the explanation.it’s a little clearer now but I’ll probably have to watch it again to understand more. I wonder how close to the real life world of espionage in the 70’s and 80’s this was? I loved the Xmas party scene!

[@nocturne7371]

I love this movie, I must have seen it at least 40 times.

[@michaelcarter8120]

Wow! “The movie relies on drama rather than full blown action set pieces”. You’re absolutely correct! Too many movies these days have a very thin plot and use those over the top action scenes in order to make a movie. It’s to the point of being ridiculous. The action scenes are in reality, dull. You already know the protagonist is going to come out on top. It’s only a question of how. Plus, they depend on a huge suspension of belief. Give me a movie such as “Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy” over “Mission Impossible - 187 The Studio Needs Money” any day…

[@CatAtomic99]

This is one my four favorite movies.

[@swarnabhmukherjee4255]

No doubt, this is one great film, dark and probably purposefully made ambiguous for true detective novel fans

[@heatpump8566]

I was a professional spy for years and I didn’t have a clue what had really happened in the film. Which makes it a true classic

[@jayesh5131]

Dude sorry to say this but, You suck at your job!

[@bh8365]

Well done. I've watched this a few times. Takes much effort to understand the intricacies of the plot, but that's the fun. The earlier BBC Tinker and Smiley's People with Alec Guinness worth repeated viewings.

[@saltermellon644]

Thank you, never could work out why she was shot in front of mark strong. Thanks for clearing this up

[@saxandphone6440]

This movie really does require constant undivided attention for the full two hours. I have ADHD so often during movies I will find myself wandering away from the plot to focus on other details for a bit before re-capturing my focus again. Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy was particularly hard for me because I actually really appreciated the atmosphere and environment it created, and I would often find myself focusing on things like how they managed to capture the strange dreary and ominous yet fascinating essence of the 70's so well and how I was begging to understand Ian Flemmings inspiration for James Bond ,from the stark contrast of a politically turbulent climate and exotic locations with mundane and somewhat boring British bureaucracy... which ended up with me watching the movie and really enjoying it without actually having any idea what was actually happening, lol. Like many people have already said, you blink once and you miss a crucial plot point when it comes to this film. Once you organize everything chronologically and familiarize yourself with the events it really is a good story though.

[@proman1926]

This has become one of my favorite movies. The directing and story telling are superbly done.

[@ianhudson9398]

Got watch the BBC TV version....... it's 300% better!

[@proman1926]

ian hudson the one with Alec Guinness? I like those. It is more in-depth

[@heavyspoilers]

Yeah it’s incredible, thanks for the comment

[@cheekyboy-ho9ub]

I had to watch it twice to get it. I enjoyed it the second time, the first time I didn't really understand what was going on. I still feel there is more that I missed. but I don't mind, now I appreciate it and feel it's one of those films you can go back to for more.

[@lib556]

I recommend the original mini series from 1979 starring Alec Guinness (Obi Wan Kenobi to you kids out there). Compared to the slick and atmospheric feel of the 2011 movie, it will feel dated and plodding but it is a bit truer to LeCarre's novel. It's complete on KZbin. I recently read Smiley's People which prompted me to watch its mini series from 1982 also starring Guinness reprising his role. That prompted me to re-watch the 1979 series which I hadn't seen since that year. Of course, after binging the series, I had to watch the 2011 movie again. Phew. As mentioned above, the 2011 film has a real atmosphere to it that the series didn't have. Odd, because the series was filmed so much closer to the setting of the book (72, 73?). Maybe it has to do with the 2011 film looking back so far with a hint of nostalgia. I'm not sure there needed to be so many homosexual references in the latter film. I get the impression it is due to modern day pressure to include more gay characters etc. Fantastic cast. A 'who's who' of Brit actors.

[@kenclark5184]

Watched it in 2012 I loved it. No Hollywood flash bang wallop just an intriguing story. Seen it twice since..Just came across your site I'll now see what you like and see if it's on Netflix or Amazon. Thanks.

[@markpointer2967]

Wow. I just watched this for the second time. First when it was just released in cinemas, second time tonight, October 2018. I was still pretty lost, with many loose ends, so THANK YOU for this explanation. It was super clear and helpful, without being over wordy, given the complex and subtle nature of the movie. I think I’ll re-watch it soon, with this breakdown by my side, as I find this the most enjoyable way of watching tricky movies, and “getting” them, at the same time! :-)

[@heavyspoilers]

Mark Pointer thank you!

[@tomcooper6108]

I loved this film. I have seen TSWCIFTC back I the 70s, and that is my favorite. This film was very easy for me to figure out. You have to pay attention to details, however. If you need a sledgehammer film, forget this one.

[@georgecobble5688]

There is a six hour mini series from the late 1970s ..with Alec Guinnes ....very good . I have watched it 3 or 4 times.....also series Smileys people 6 hrs.....

[@vegancrabcakes]

Great explanation! The movie was confusing and I had to watch it twice to understand what was going on...

[@flyingnorseman]

Smiley takes over the circus and his wife comes home at the end. Important part.

[@themise1416]

I liked this even more than the original Alex Guiness version. Firstly, Gary Oldman was superb. Guiness was too but slightly studies, taking his glasses off to clean them as a mannerism secondly Firth is stunningly charismatic. Thirdly I loved the throwbacks to a happier time - the xmas party, where everyone was happy. The music particularly makes this so familiar to those of us who lived thru the sixties and seventies, and it brought ot out of the cerebral level of main protagonists to the fuller spectrum of life as it happened - great glimpses into the personal lives of the actors in the drama. I liked that everyone was different- Aneline? Etc including Anne who we never see except once from the side where she looks distinctly tarty (also right at the end when Smiley returns to a glimpse of her in the kitchen). The original Hungarian could not be surpassed. Also I liked the original Jim Prideaux, though this one was good too. Congrats to everyone- set, music were stunning.

[@jbtechcon7434]

Wow, what a coincidence! I checked out this old film just now, and here I find a (much needed) explanation vid you posted just yesterday! I couldn't make any sense of the 'capture' scene in the safe house. Oldman and Cumberbatch were coming into the room with their guns to capture the mole... Aaand then Cumberbatch lets Polyakov stroll past him out the door, and (was that Oldman) already has a gun on Firth? Did Olman run in ahead of Cumberbatch, uncoordinated? And why would they let Polyakov go? And why did Polyakov say Firth would go to Moscow?

[@heavyspoilers]

JBTechCon thanks for checking the vid! Hope it cleared up some stuff for you

[@straightlevel.cruising2644]

Polyakov was a diplomat, therefore his arrest would have been extremely problematic, to say the least. And then Polyakov was just a pawn in this game, a courier. The central piece of the game was the mole, once he was revealed to be Haydon, it was game over for everybody involved. So Polyakov is let go, for his arrest would not matter, and Haydon is arrested, obviously. But then the Russians trade for Haydon, whatever British spy (asset) they had for their mole -- these trades have a double advantage for both parties. First Haydon knows to keep his mouth shut because he has something to look forward to (not a life in prison or worse, execution), therefore he will not be cooperating and not revealing everything he ended up knowing about the Soviets in so many years that he was working for them. Second, the British avoid a lengthy legal battle and all the publicity around it, and can paint Haydon as a defector in absentia. And everybody gets one of their own back. Bill Haydon is in reality Harold Adrian Russell "Kim" Philby -- a high-ranking member of British intelligence who worked as a double agent before defecting to the Soviet Union in 1963. He served as both an NKVD and KGB operative. Philby was part of the spy ring now known as the "Cambridge Five", the other members of which were Donald Maclean, Guy Burgess, Anthony Blunt and, possibly, John Cairncross or Victor Rothschild. Of the five, Philby is believed to have been most successful in providing secret information to the Soviet Union. His activities were moderated only by Joseph Stalin's fears that he was a triple agent providing Soviet intelligence to British authorities. Philby was an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) from 1946 to 1965, and he was awarded the Order of Lenin in 1965.

[@jbtechcon7434]

+Colin Thank you for the info. You are well informed, and what you said makes sense. The only part of the scene that still seems a bit off to me is that Smiley apparently rushed in ahead of Benedict Cumberbatch to capture Colin Firth alone? That seems sloppy and contrary to Smiley's character. A cop would get scolded for doing something like that.

[@1mattadams]

JBTechCon i

[@DSQueenie]

You didn’t explain that Haydon has the affair because Karla knew that Smiley was the most competent Spy at the Circus and the affair as to distract him.

[@redstar7292]

Smileys only weakness was his unconditional love for his cheating wife. But as Smiley was such a ruthless cold blooded spy Le Carre wanted to show he had a vulnerable human weakness.He also wanted to get away from a cliched Bond type character.

[@situated4]

So he wouldn't see him "straight." And couldn't accuse him or it would seem like petty retribution from a cuckholded simp.

[@kellyharper8072]

One of my favorites!

[@lorraineaylward8167]

Nope. Not at all. Bill is recruited by Karla before Karla ever meets smiley. That is why he doesn’t defect: he knows he has a mole inside British intelligence and the mole will do damage. Control sends Jim, in this movie, to Hungary, Control is seen as failing and in ill health. Control sends Jim bc Control knows there is a mole and he believes the general who is defecting knows who the mole is. The entire thing is a set up by Karla and the mole to remove Control and place Percy at the head of British intelligence. Ricky’s affair confirms there is a mole-Irina is able to provide info abt this. That’s why Smiley is brought in. Ricky tells Smiley’s assistant and the assistant brings this info to the cabinet ministers awareness. Smiley unmasks the mole. He does this by stealing files, and learning abt the safe house. He also talks to Jim. The traitor is unmasked as Bill. Bill and Jim had been lovers in college and cared for each other. Bill shows that he is willing to let Jim die for his cause. Jim kills Bill bc he was set up by Bill (and Karla) for torture and possibly death. Smileys weakness is his wife. He loves her, she doesn’t love him. She sleeps around for entertainment. Karla did tell Bill if possible, sleep with her. Ppl therefore would think Smiley was mad at Bill for this and dismiss Smileys belief Bill was the mole. It was insurance. Nothing more. Anyway, in this movie Smiley and Ann get back together. They do not in the book.

[@gavindmonte591]

Love it when things are explained......but yes....still confused...in a good way though.... brilliant movie

[@MrCasco0o]

Who on earth is Karla?! I still can't get my head around that.

[@euan1234]

Karla is basically the Russian equivalent of Smiley (his nemsis) - a high-ranking Soviet spy in charge of Moscow Central. He and Smiley had a face-to-face encounter where Smiley encouraged him to defect to the UK. But it didn't happen, and Karla returns to Russia. In the film, Karla is providing Polyakov with low-level information to give to the British at the safe house. And in return, Bill is providing quite high-level information back to Polyakov/Karla.

[@glenporteous4438]

Its Jean Luc Picard. Sorry, Professor X.

[@derekpearce4987]

Karla is the MI6 codename for the head of Soviet Intelligence, ie Control's counterpart.

[@MrPratikorissa]

@@euan1234 also witchcraft was an official program in which all mi6 high levels were feeding low level info to Karla through polyakov except bill. Bill is using it as a cover to supply high level info becoz he is the double agent

[@chrisrosenkreuz23]

@@MrPratikorissa Karla is Patrick Stewart, it's as simple as that.

[@center1581]

We need a Spy Who Came In From The Cold fiilm!!

[@mogreenz]

The most actual adult film made in twenty years and the last film i paid to see.

[@corcaighrebel]

Beautifully crafted & shot film and I suspect a bit more to it.