Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy - Radio Adaptation - Starring Bernard Hepton as George Smiley - Full

[@stephenasbridge878]

Bernard Hepton was a master actor and highly underrated in my opinion. My late mother and I saw him at the theatre in the early 1980s playing the defence lawyer in The Winslow Boy. Thanks, mum.

[@charleskramer6189]

I 100% agree! He did a version of "An Inspector Calls" for television (possibly available on KZbin -- where I saw it) which was MESMERIZING. There's a quality of the best acting where you can't tell how the actor is "doing it" -- nothing flashy -- which is a sign it's being done perfectly. Hepton had it. Guiness too, in his version of Smiley.

[@stephenasbridge878]

@ That version is on KZbin. If you like Priestley, there is also a great version of When We Were Married out there, too.

[@johnlawrence7386]

I retired a year ago and have trouble sleeping I get about two hours a night, so when I find things like this on the web it is a God send. It is now 4.11am and I am half way through and really enjoying it.

[@movingpicutres99]

You might also like Magpie Audio channel. Sherlock Holmes especially.

[@johnlawrence7386]

@@movingpicutres99 I have been listening to many channels which do sci-fi, I'm subscribed to loads of them.

[@jimmci9584]

That's exactly what I'm doing here!

[@HistorymanDublin]

Try Maigret audio adaptations too

[@annenunney9907]

Good for you

[@CDMVIDZ]

I've consumed Tinker, Tailor in every one of its many formats over the past 35 years (the novel, the Beeb series, the audiobook, the recent film), but this adaptation's streamlined linear narrative and little extra bits of exposition to help the OAPs follow along is the single best distillation of the novel's Byzantine plot I've ever heard. Outstanding, thank you so much for posting it!

[@roysmith8602]

35 years , every format..will give it a shot then :) there's a possibility you might be better informed them me

[@clovelly1946]

Me too,agree with you.after so many views and listenings,I still enjoy every word.Its Turkey great writing.

[@CaroleRogersCSL]

After seeing the comments I am more than looking forward to listening. Having read the book, seen the series and, recently watched the film with Gary Oldman as Smiley (superb, by the way) I'll be interested to hear how it's done.

[@drtonyhaworth6287]

Hi do you know of any other film versions of any smiley stories ?? Or any spy films good ones and I’ve watched and listened to all the different versions of this and is there anything for smileys people ?? Please advice if you know ??

[@dancontrino1911]

Same here! I also think the casting is perfect.

[@TomHyland-mk4ki]

Bernard Hepton, such a talent. In fact, great listening to all of the actors. I never tire of this version. Thank you all round and also for posting.

[@Th0ughtf0rce]

I listen to it again and again on long drives. Listening to Bernard, my mind conjure up a more sly and cynical Smiley than Alec Guinness' rendition.

[@harryatters9852]

I've listened so often and never get bored. I adore the Simon Russell Beale version too and the comparisons between the two.

[@VictoriaJones-b1m]

Thank you so much for posting this wonderful adaptation starring one of my favourite actors Bernard Hepton. Gosh how I miss his generation. It’s so comforting to be able to listen thank you so much ❤️📻

[@clarehsueh7683]

Mr. Hepton sounded almost exactly like Alec Guinness as Smiley in the TV series. Amazingly great imitation!

[@martinlagrange8821]

He would know best - he was Toby Esterhase with Sir Alec Guinness in the two TV miniseries

[@donepearce]

@@martinlagrange8821 The TV series was a masterclass in casting.

[@valcolvera]

Aa L ​@@donepearce

[@alidabaxter5849]

I am so grateful to be able to listen to this version, which I did not know. Like so many others I am mad about Bernard Hepton, and will never forget him dancing around Thun in Switzerland in 'Smileys People' with the most superb accent, using his team to entrap a Russian for Smiley. Wonderful actor and I have watched the BBC TV series time after time.

[@philippankhurst6680]

Is there anyone who has only seen TTTS and People just once ? The absolute pinnacle of TV drama, in my opinion...

[@rorybone100]

It IS delicious.

[@johnrobertgriffiths8435]

A fantastic production of John LeCarre's novel. I have seen and listened to all previous TV, film and radio productions and this one sits high on the list. Thank you for posting

[@kingkook3027]

Superb adaptation one of the best I’ve encountered ! Thank you so much for uploading ! ❤

[@simonwhite8474]

Bernard Hepton had such a deft touch at everything he did....Colditz, I Clavdivs, BBC TV Le Carre, Secret Army. Also delighted to hear the excellent and also late James Grout as Percy. Thanks for posting this.

[@roddyteague6246]

Versatile as well. Remember him in The Squirrels?!

[@annquinn6780]

Brilliant in Bleak House .

[@roddyteague6246]

@@annquinn6780 Morning Ann. Yes he was. You helped me recall him in Get Carter-soon to be 50 years old!

[@TomHyland-mk4ki]

Greetings from Dili, Timor-Leste in Southeast Asia. Wonderful drama, great aco

[@craigbryant3191]

I like Hepton's Smiley. Always have, since I picked this up on cassette tape in the 90s. But his Toby Esterhase? PERFECTION.

[@vze1lxls]

P

[@darrylwiggins1156]

Could not have said it better.

[@tourismtiger]

Totally agree. Perfect, actually....

[@jacquelinestack9086]

@@vze1lxls q

[@morrismole1300]

Wow, I‘d never heard this version before, such fun hearing Bernard Hepton as Smiley in conversation with Toby Esterhazy whom he plays in the TV version. Lovely production. Thank you.

[@mikewellwood1412]

Same here, and I thought I'd heard pretty much all there was, le Carre-related, on the BBC. This was a great version. Partly because of Hepton - such a class act - and partly because it told the story logically, more or less in chronological order, and not in flashback mode (or much less so), than in the original novel (or in the famous TV version). Many thanks to Nerdsworth for uploading it.

[@rpm1796]

Binga Loved Hep...Secret army...

[@davehappablap5549]

@@mikewellwood1412 5: e__.+=

[@morganrees6807]

It's quite weird hearing Bernard Hepton as Smiley - particularly when he is talking to Esterhase. The BBC TV serial actors still are the yardstick for Le Carre's characters.

[@brettsidaway2691]

I cannot thank you enough for this upload - I have been searching for this version in a listenable format for YEARS! I don't think it was ever issued as a CD, just tape. I heard it when first broadcast in 1988. I'm a huger admirer of Bernard Hepton - he is his usual brilliant self here & Rene Basilico is a brilliant radio adaptor.

[@DeSilsky]

Rene Basilico made also "Alliens in the Mind", with Peter Cushing and Vincent Price. I guess you know that one. If not, search for it right now!!!!

[@mathonamoore123]

Listenable is not a word, audio format', is what you should say.

[@dermotriordan4046]

Listenable IS a word. Get back in your box.

[@brettsidaway2691]

@@dermotriordan4046 of course it is a word as most intelligent literate people know! Thanks for your support.

[@davpal3]

Absolutely brilliant and you know what? I never heard it before. A gem.

[@nickycatton7882]

I’ve been listening to this while I work, and so enjoying it, thank you very much!

[@shelleymcafee8197]

So excellent!!! Thank-You$

[@euanshanks]

This is amazing. Thanks so much for posting. Love this dramatization. Genius

[@taraking5559]

thank you so much for this upload, I much prefer this version to the later one with Simon Russel Beale - not because of his acting but because of the script. I have been searching for this for ages!

[@decordobauk]

Thank you for the uploads. I have been searching for Bernard Hepton radio dramas. Superb quality upload of very rare content. Excellent productions.

[@DeSilsky]

Look for something called Baroness Orczy. 8 episodes with Bernard Hepton starring. Also a Jekyll & Hyde version when he is Utterson. And a great drama called The Windbear, also starred by Hepton.

[@decordobauk]

@@DeSilsky Thank you, will do so.

[@dancontrino1911]

You can absolutely hear how Gary Oldman’s Smiley’s voice and cadence was inspired by Bernard Hepton’s. Hepton was wonderful.

[@karlmeyer9473]

Oldman was crap

[@dermotriordan4046]

The film version is an abomination

[@donepearce]

Sorry but the Oldman movie was nonsense. Gunness's Smiley in the BBC miniseries was great. And moving Hepton over to Toby Esterhase was inspired.

[@karpizan]

@@doublewhopper67 Yeah. Completely unnecessary

[@howard1beale]

The film was not good. The TV series was much better. This is better than the film even though its changed a lot from the book

[@jimmyoshea465]

This is an excellent adaptation. Top notch👍🏼

[@muttleycrew]

Hepton was a magnificent actor, pure gold this production

[@DeSilsky]

He made a lot of Radio Dramas. The Windbear is a master piece, and also eight episodes of the Baroness Orczy, and some more.

[@muttleycrew]

Nick De Silsky thanks will definitely check those out!

[@donepearce]

He played Toby Esterhase to Alex Guinness's Smiley in the TV version. Both versions seem to have struck gold.

[@muttleycrew]

Indeed@@donepearce! He also played Claudius' emancipated slave Palas in _I, Claudius._ Of course that's a famously low-budget, high-value, talent-heavy production in which Bernard Hepton effortlessly steals scenes from the great Derek Jacobi. Now Derek Jacobi is so good as Claudius it should have been pretty much impossible to steal even small parts of scenes from him but Bernard Hepton was just that good he could steal them right from under Jacobi's prosthetic nose.

[@9erner]

I love this show…. Thank you….

[@captainswing4487]

Thoroughly enjoyed this. Apparently there are now 300 more variations to get through before I become a TinkerTailor Spyista.

[@ajiusasikander1701]

RIP, John le Carré. Legend.

[@waltermull9598]

Thanks for uploading this its been a very long time since I heard this version its very well done thanks again

[@BubblegumCrash332]

I've read the books, watched the show and film multiple times over the past couple years. I love how this radio drama has slight little details that are not in the book or show. This story never gets old.

[@AnthonySejda]

😊

[@AnthonySejda]

I'm a John Lewis Carrie fan having read City of Joy, Jerusalem and seen the movie of which this audio book is a check in the moving of the chess board

[@VLind-uk6mb]

@@AnthonySejda What on earth are you wittering on about?

[@Jasonbeck2753]

I love how even-tempered they are at uncovering the betrayal. “Jolly what, the man’s a mole!”

[@davidclarke67]

Read the book at least thrice, seen the TV series, the film and probably this in the mists of time. Spent this stupidly hot afternoon listening to this all the way through. Slight differences but still hugely enjoyable. Fawn is still my favourite character, few lines but every one counts...

[@thomashrubecky1663]

This was the first version of Tinker, Tailor that I ever discovered. I bought it on tape while visiting the UK and have never been able to upgrade to CD or download which is an absolute shame. I suppose the first iteration encountered becomes the definitive version. I’ve listened to it innumerable times; Hepton’s Smiley is such a comforting listen. I’m so glad that the BBC released A Small Town in Germany, A Perfect Spy and The Russia House on download. I suppose they’ve withheld this and Hepton’s Smiley’s People so their epic season of Smiley staring Simon Russell Beals has a free run. It was excellent but doesn’t quite measure up to Hepton’s two outings as Smiley.

[@freemo515]

Yes I agree. What a great find.

[@adriantwiss600]

Russel Beale’s “A Call for the dead” was excellent.

[@drmaggie12]

Omaha you

[@jimmilne882]

A fantastic story, well performed, thank you.

[@Swimmer47]

Listening puts a totally different yet very nice perspective on the story. It’s also pleasant to hear the English language spoken well.

[@ikrat9456]

What kind of English would that be?

[@shanemanchester]

I once asked a fellow fan of Alec Guinness’s Tinker why he liked the show so much. He simply replied, “it’s the way they speak to each other.” Says it all. 😀😀👍

[@karenduncan7707]

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[@robbiereilly]

John le Carre (David Cornwall) also reads his stories and he has a beautiful voice, er, had, I should say, as he passed away just the other day. I'm rewatching TTSS (of course the Alec Guinness miniseries, not that gawdawful unnecessary remake they made in 2015. ) Rest in Peace, David Cornwall

[@craigshealy4671]

To date (01/02/21) no finer espionage tale. Takes you back to the genesis of the spy novel.

[@DeSilsky]

Much better than the one they made later. Much much better. Thanks for sharing!!!!

[@f12mnb]

This is interesting version - I've seen the BBC TV version, the more recent movie version and the audio book. This is well done - shows how a long work can be abridged and condensed.

[@MrTonyd007]

Bernard Hepton as Hector/Toby in Smiley People's is the best. You get a really good picture of the lamplighter trade craft.

[@geoffmurrell]

This radio adaptation was my introduction to TTSS, so until I caught up with the TV series, Smiley was the soft spoken Hepton, perfect for radio. I lost my cassette copy of this over the years, so I'm delighted to be able to hear it again here, thanks for that! I too have consumed TTSS in all its formats over the years, well all of John le Carré's books actually, and here's a tip, the final novel, written when he was close to 90 years old and le Carré's final novel to be published before his death in 2020, Agent Running in the Field is very nearly as good!

[@K1lostream]

TTSP = Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Pie?

[@geoffmurrell]

😄@@K1lostream

[@K1lostream]

@@geoffmurrell Ohhh! You meanie! You can't edit your post now! lol! (clearly you can! haha!)

[@staffagirl]

Thank you. This is my very favourite version.

[@paulinebradleycarroll7745]

La Carre and Hepton. I think I may faint from happiness...

[@zoyablake9538]

😂 my thoughts exactly!

[@davidw.2791]

With BBC miniseries’s Toby being George in this, and BBC Miniseries’s Peter reading the audiobook... 🥰

[@johnlindsay6923]

May I faint with you 😊

[@spm36]

Brilliant..thanks for posting it👍

[@barbarahenninger6642]

Thank you, this is wonderful! I just listened to John Lecarre reading Agent Running in the Field. I got it through Overdrive from my local library.

[@DavidThomas-lt4pj]

Thank you for this download. Been looking for this for years. Heard it originally on BBC Radio 4 in the days when they did real drama, instead of the weak soap opera rubbish of the 'Archers' that is now in the ascendancy. This is a brilliant adaptation with a stellar cast. Just as thrilling as the classic series with Alec Guinness.

[@arthurdick9553]

No it isn't 😀😀

[@lizroberts1569]

You should listen to Drama on BBC sounds I’ve been listening for over 40 years and they’re still fantastic best radio plays etc broadcast. One long running soap is fine even if it’s not to your taste or mine.

[@johardy8512]

You can buy all the Le Carre's which were on tape...now in a box of dvds...bought myself a set and a set for my son, NEVER lend them out ❤

[@Thomasdada]

R.I.P. John le Carré. You are in from the Cold. We have to stay out a bit longer.

[@paegarbosco714]

What a poem RIP

[@greyg0at]

This is fantastic quality!! :D

[@HostileButHonourable]

Safe journey Mr. Le Carre. Thanks for all the intrigue.

[@josephangel7360]

Brilliant adaptation. " Who can spy on the spies?"

[@GrandPrixDecals]

3rd listen lol - brilliant, thanks so sooo much for the upload!

[@spuspud]

Thanks for uploading these

[@patrickclark4607]

"You scratch my conscience, I'll drive your jag."

[@michaelmichaels9616]

I will await listening to this properly and so interesting to have the newer version to compare it to. The BBC version with Simon Russell Beale as Smiley is incredible.

[@IzzyRumi]

John le Carre' died today. 12/13/2020. RIP

[@HD-ol1mc]

I’ve never heard this one, thanks! I love the recent version with Simon Russell Beale playing George Smiley, but this is enjoyable as well 🙂. Just a bit confusing if you’re used to Bernard Hepton playing Toby in the TV version!

[@DeSilsky]

I think this version is far much better than the one by Russell Beale. Russell Beale is excellent of course but the rest of the cast have so similar voices that sometimes you don't know who is speaking. In this version you have Douglas Blackwell, Charles Kay, Edward De Souza. They are a bit histrionic but so brilliant. By the way, Alleline is Charles Grout, that years later was the chief of Morse in the TV legendary series.

[@awhite3747]

@@DeSilsky You mean James Grout :-)

[@yvonneheald3616]

Bernard Hepton is by far a more polished and incisive actor than Simon Russell Beale. Hepton was a great actor. Not so for Russell Beale.

[@DeSilsky]

@@yvonneheald3616 I saw Russell Beale in Penny Dreadful and he was just brilliant. Perhaps Hepton is better but hard to say. But considering only voices, I prefer Hepton.

[@yvonneheald3616]

The actors in this production with Hepton as Smiley, are in another league in the delivery of text and acting competence; compared to the Russel Beale version. As for Smiley the nuanced performance by Bernard Hepton, in all his quiet spoken glory nullifies the Simon Russel Beale verison of Smiley.

[@richardbickle4098]

superb adaptation, immensely better than the last film version

[@jeanettesdaughter]

This was goooood. Gangster! Brilliantly distilled . Filtered right through all that swirling witchcraft. LeCarre can be dense and opaque, deliberately I think. Leaves us to suss it out. Master strokes: Karla played them all like the strings on a violin. The English bedamned, “ losing livelihood and self respect.” As the colonized I call them hoist on their own petard. It’s a wonder the West still stands falling down though it may be … Poor beggar man - a true player. ❤

[@mikeroberts4873]

Excellent. I can never get enough of this story. Apart from Hollywood's recent drivel adaption. I cant count the number of times I've watched the BBC's adaption with Alec Guiness - Gold!

[@libertinoradio4597]

The bit about Welsh names at the discrete hotel is hilarious.

[@jsmandrake]

THIS is the best!

[@garyfrombrooklyn]

I’m with almost everyone here, that this new version is refreshing. I must’ve experienced all forms, with my favorite having Simon Russell Beale as Smiley. Adding this to the collection

[@Mr.Monta77]

Bernard Hepton is excellent here, as always.

[@swordsman007]

Wow, didn't know these existed! I am only familiar with the Simon Russell Beale dramas, which are excellent in their own right.

[@ConTrollerNorth2]

Thank you

[@chalmerbasham695]

Bloody marvelous adaptation......

[@robertandrews5640]

SO SO MUCH BETTER THAN THE ABYSMAL FILM GARBAGE VERSION RUINATION PERPETRATED BY POOR ACTING AND RUINATION OF THE ENTIRE SETTING

[@Nately22]

One of my favourite stories - the book is brilliant as is the BBC adaptation. It's not just a spy story, Le Carre examines friendship, loyalty, trust and betrayal and principles and ideals mixed with patriotism. I can't get my head around Bernard Hepton (Toby) playing Smiley....I supposed I'm too familiar with the BBC series! And Percy sounds like the actor who plays Roddy Martindale in the BBC adaptation. Everybody's love to Ann! :)

[@clairefort1252]

I

[@TheSorub]

this is a bbc radio production

[@Nately22]

@@TheSorub Yep, but here I meant he the BBC television series adapted from the book.

[@TheSorub]

@@Nately22 its a classic got it on dvd

[@Nately22]

@@TheSorub Same here. Stunning - one of the best tv series ever made by the BBC.

[@Gedagnors]

Thank you so much!!!

[@voxpopuval]

Absolute Gold!

[@myriaddsystems]

It helps to have read the book first in order to understand the dynamics in this production.

[@billthestinker]

Nice interpretation

[@saintexupery8406]

@Nerdsworth: now we are wondering what else you have beyond these three radio adaptations...until then, thanks for these.

[@sieradelphi3497]

I heard John le Carre passed away. I am very sorry.. Rest in peace..John..

[@xarina77]

The best part of this recording is the scene with Connie Sachs. Amazing!

[@alastairgordon-forbes3139]

I absolutely loathed Gary Oldman’s portrayal of George Smiley. I really enjoyed this adaptation as a radio play. The ending was a bit of a surprise.

[@jacksonburnette762]

Even better the second time around.

[@Mark-bo5vl]

Just wouderful great way to spend an evening the best of the best of spy novels 10/10.

[@DeedUNo]

BBC Four tv are re-showing classic this tv series again start 29/05/21

[@peterfreeman6677]

Broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 1988. I hope this has a longer half-life on KZbin than all the other BBC programmes I had saved for later - all the Charles Paris and Rumpole programmes have vanished in one fell alleged-copyright-infringement swoop. Better luck with le Carre, I hope.

[@rhocroft5898]

Look at BritBox. It is a subscription series but the price is reasonable. It has many of the old series, and some new ones. Sadly it does not have either the Alec Guinness Tinker Tailor or Smiley's People yet.

[@williammorrow8492]

CLASSIC , Great Actors 🥂🍸

[@fullwaverecked]

Wow, the movie is awesome, but the book... Priceless...

[@adag5813]

The best one on youtube

[@McRocket]

Thank you, SO MUCH for this. I assume this is blasphemy. But I actually prefer Bernard Hepton over Alec Guinness for Smiley (though only by a little). And I realize the roles are written differently for radio vs. TV. ☮

[@runandraisans6055]

Hepton is brilliant in this RIP David John Moore Cornwall Why wasn’t he knighted ?

[@halfdayofthejackal9372]

He had too much class, too sophisticated for that nonsense. That's my deduction anyway.

[@alunmorgan7869]

The best adaptation I’ve heard Hepton is great as smiley

[@berserkerx7]

Isn't that Nigel Stock who played Roddy "bloody" Martindale in the TV adaptation in the beginning of the recording? This is like a cast remix of the TV series!

[@Nately22]

Yes, exactly what I thought; 'Percy Puppet' being played by Roddy.

[@Nately22]

Just saw it's Charles Grout (the actor who plays Morse's boss) playing Alleline, not Nigel Stock!

[@timelordtardis]

@@Nately22 It's James Grout, not Charles.

[@Nately22]

@@timelordtardis Ah cheers!

[@davidgladstone6588]

Yes, Nigel Stock!

[@wagstaffe7]

Well done!

[@maxinelawrence2332]

Thanks you🥳🥳Great play🧐

[@greyfox3727]

Brilliant...

[@merylcoe1311]

A wonderful ensemble piece from the BBC. Wonderful voices Bernard Hepton, James Grout so distinctive yet every time they create beliebeable characters. Is there a cast list? Is Ricky Tarr played by the incomparable Christian Rodska, now sadly deceased?

[@johardy8512]

My comfort listening...again ❤

[@jenniferweaver9339]

That marvellous actor who plays Connie… her name eludes me, but I know it so well! Can any listener help me?

[@jenniferweaver9339]

Rosemary Leach! Of course! 👍😎

[@stephaniefrancis6080]

Excellent.

[@barry5787]

Mr Wu's a Window Cleaner Now.

[@MLB9000]

Hello Control, how is Mrs. Control?

[@thatguycmk7548]

the series was amazing. the movie good. I'm liking this as well

[@warrenthornton7582]

Bernard Hepton, such a good actor, this is so good, it reminds me what the BBC once was compared to the awful woke BBC that it is now

[@sallyscott4892]

One of my favourite audio books ...so worth listening to ..love Alec Guinness

[@sallyscott4892]

Silly me not Alec Guinness 😂

[@davidbrotheridge10]

No one ever thinks that George set the whole thing up to get revenge on Anne and bill

[@asadifififaroo]

Wonderful