Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy

Go undercover with weary spymaster George Smiley to expose a mole at British Secret Intelligence Headquarters. Sir Alec Guinness stars in the award-winning first adaptation of John le Carré's best-selling novel. "One of the most madly atmospheric and enjoyably literate films ever done for television"-The Washington Post. As seen on Masterpiece Theatre.

Return to the Circus
George Smiley retired as a senior British Intelligence Service agent one year ago. Then, to his surprise, messengers arrive from Sir Oliver Lacon, head of the London Station, asking George to come back into the game. There is clear evidence that a highly influential KGB mole has been operating out of 'the Circus' for many years, and everyone is under suspicion. Smiley has to decide whether to take on the thankless task of hunting the traitor.

Tarr Tells His Story
Ricki Tarr, an agent who went missing for six months, recounts a tale to the spy masters that sways Smiley in favour of returning to the Circus to secretly ferret out the mole. Tarr had an affair with a Russian agent and heard some startling things about the Circus.

Smiley Tracks the Mole
Now that Smiley has rejoined the game he must secretly procure the information and files needed to conduct his investigation. While Peter breaks into the Circus' archives and finds files that bring a whole new perspective to consider, Smiley goes to interview an old friend. The information he gets from her reminds him of the events of a year earlier.

How It All Fits Together
Peter Guillam is put under pressure by the Circus and Ricki Tarr becomes unstable. To find answers George Smiley must examine his personal life as well as his past with the Circus, especially in regard to Control. He also reflects on his one meeting with Karla.

Tinker Tailor
Smiley learns more about the events of Operation Testify from Sam Collins, the former night duty officer. He then goes to confront Jim Prideaux, an old spy who long since came in from the cold and is now a school teacher. Smiley is especially interested in what the other side already knew about the Circus and how the different heads reacted to Prideaux's arrest and release.

Smiley Sets a Trap
After a meeting with Jerry Westerby, Smiley has the information he needs. He starts to stir things up with the men of which Control suspected one to be the mole. He is able to eliminate two, himself and one other. The waiting begins, when suddenly the message arrives that Prideaux has disappeared.

Flushing Out the Mole
The waiting has paid off and the trap closes on Karla's mole. It is agreed to trade him against several English spies who were captured by the KGB, but Prideaux is still not found and he has an open account to settle with the mole. With the command structure of the Circus hollowed out and containment in progress, Smiley cannot come in from the cold but remains to pick up the pieces. And then there's Ann Smiley...

Directed by John Irvin
Written by Arthur Hopcraft, John le Carré
Produced by Jonathan Powell
Executive Produced by
Original Music by Cinematography by Tony Pierce-Roberts
Film Editing by Chris Wimble, Clare Douglas
Costume Design by Joyce Mortlock

"A smashing thriller" -The New York Times

"Exhilarating" -The Washington Post