If you have ever had an interest in spy thriller novels, then the odds are you are at least passingly familiar with John LeCarre’s novel, Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy. The book debuted in 1974 and starred LeCarre’s most famous and most featured protagonist, George Smiley, and has gone on to become one of the best selling books of the crowded spy thriller genre.
Although the book had its own self-contained story line, it also acted as the first part of a trilogy known as The Quest for Karla, which included the books, The Honourable Schoolboy and Smiley’s People. All three books focused on Smiley as he navigated the treacherous waters of the Cold War-era British Secret Service, while attempting to bring down Karla, his KGB counterpart.
The books gained even more attention when the BBC made them into a mini-series starring Alec Guinness as Smiley, a role that now falls to Gary Oldman.
Set in 1970, George Smiley is trying unsuccessfully to remain retired from the British Secret Service. But when a Russian mole is suspected to have caused the death of a British agent, Smiley returns to flush out the traitor.
Directed by Tomas Alfredson (Let the Right One In, Four Shades of Brown) Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy features an impressive cast including Colin Firth, Tom Hardy, Mark Strong, John Hurt and Benedict Cumberbatch. It hits theaters (thankfully NOT in 3D) on September 16.
