Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy

[944fan]

V8mate said:

Finally watched it over the weekend; had delayed viewing because I had received a DVD copy of the orginal TV series for Christmas which I was keen to watch through.

I thought that the film was very poor. They changed a number of elements of the story without any apparent need and I felt that had I not been so well acquainted with the book and original televisation, that the story would have made very little sense as delivered in the new movie.

Gary Oldman's performance? They may as well have got John Culshaw, for all he delivered was Gary Oldman doing an impression of Alec Guinness.

If the film-makers felt that they didn't want to stick religiously to the original story, I think that modern cinematography could have delivered a much more gritty thriller.

I agree with you about needing to know the book. If you haven't read the book at least once the film makes little sense. I know filmakers need to edit the book to fit a 2 hour movie but some important chapters and scenes in the book are either totally glossed over or cut down to a 5 minute scene. I am a big fan of the book and personally I think it was a mistake to try and make it into a 2 hour movie. The TV series was better because it was much longer and they could keep more of the detail.

I've watched in twice now and I have to say it made more sense and was more enjoyable the second time round.

[ewenm]

I've not read the book nor seen the old series and had no trouble understanding the film (watched for the first time at the weekend). It's not that complicated.

If you have read the book and/or seen the old series your expectations of the new film may be coloured by your pre-existing knowledge of the original plot.