![holmesiandeduction:
imaginaryunit:
fuckyeahtinkertailorsoldierspy:
imaginaryunit:
“Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy”
BBC series 1979 & Alfredson’s film 2011
Mod Notes: A fantastic contrast in the overall look in the characters from the 1979 version to the 2011 version. My observations:
It’s rather eerie the resemblance between Alec Guinness and Gary Oldman here.
I do like Michael Aldridge’s Allenine, but Toby Jones just looks so slimy that I can’t help but love him.
I liked Hywel Bennett’s Tarr, despite being rather indifferent at best to the character. I have a feeling that, for me at least, Tom Hardy will duplicate the effect, though Hardy’s got a roguish charm that seems to win people over.
I find Benedict Cumberbatch’s Guillam much more similar to what I imagined when I originally read the book than Michael Jayston’s.
I’m very torn between Colin Firth and Ian Richardson for Haydon, because I absolutely love Richardson’s portrayal, but Colin Firth really does have a lot of promise.
I don’t have much of an opinion on Bland yet, though I much prefer Ciarán Hinds’ look to that of Terence Rigby.
Okay, hands-down, I adore that John Hurt was cast as Control. Knox was good, but Hurt just has this look that I imagined when I first read the book.
I very much like David Dencik as Esterhase for the same reason I love Toby Jones as Allenine—he just looks slimy, and I absolutely love it. His initial description in the book (which was admittedly through Guillam’s eyes, as I recall, which probably coloured my own perception immensely) gave me the distinct impression of someone similar in nature to one of those not-particularly-pleasant-natured cave crickets, and I never quite got that from Bernard Hepton.
While I do love what I’m seeing from Mark Strong’s Prideaux, he’s going to have to put on one hell of a performance to top how I feel about Ian Bannen. That said, I think if it can be done, Mark Strong is the man for the job.
Any thoughts from the followers of the blog?
[Special thanks to Internet Movie Database for helping me remember all those names. It’s been a long time since I’ve watched the 1979 version.]
I’ve decided to add some thoughts too.
Despite of all similar outlooks, I still think that Oldman’s Smiley is MUCH different from Guinness’s. When I’ve first seen the second TTSS trailer, I noticed a small thing: Smiley was holding an umbrella. It’s kind of an allegoric thing that shows all the differences between two interpretations of character. If you remember the book, the first appearance of George is in the Chapter 2: “Unlike Jim Prideaux, Mr George Smiley was not naturally equipped for hurrying in the rain, least of all at dead of night. Indeed, he might have been the final form for which Bill Roach was the prototype. Small, podgy and at best middle-aged, he was by appearance one of London’s meek who do not inherit the earth. His legs were short, his gait anything but agile, his dress costly, ill-fitting and extremely wet. His overcoat, which had a hint of widowhood about it, was of that black, loose weave which is designed to retain moisture ”. So, that’s it: Oldman’s Smiley was given an umbrella, when Guinness’s actually wasn’t. I mean Alec’s version is more defenseless-looking, but it makes him also more “multilayer”. First he’s just a retired old “fat spy” (as his wife Ann said), quite unlucky in the average man’s life he have to live after saying goodbye to the Circus. And only several chapters later you can see him as a great professional, Guinness played him exactly like this. Oldman’s George is sharper, his professional nature is more evident, and you can see it from the first shot. OK, all of this only in my point of view.
Michael Aldridge’s Allenine is brilliant in my opinion, but, to be honest, I imagined him quite different when I was reading the book. I like Toby Jones for this role, because he seemed more intriguer-looking (Percy actually was this kind of person, I think).
I feel absolutely neutrally about Ricki Tarr’s casting. May be because I never had a clear vision of this character, I don’t know how exactly I want him to look. It’s more a question of charm and charisma to play him.
So, finally, about my favorite Peter. I absolutely agree with you, Cumberbatch is totally close to what I imagined, and I was slightly confused when I saw Michael Jayston as Guillam in BBC miniseries. But Benedict has an exotic beauty and charm and not everyone finds him as “a good-looking man” as Guillam was first described. Also they made Peter’s character a little bit younger in the film, isn’t they? And I absolutely OK with this. Smiley guessed he’s about forty years old, but with all Peter’s problems with romantic ideals of Englishman and with using men from the old Circus generation as an constant example for his work and even life, he seemed younger, so I visualized him in my mind younger.
Neither Richardson nor Firth seems an ideal cast for Haydon for me, but I have huge expectations for Colin in the future film.
And John Hurt will be brilliant as Control.
Responding:
I do see what you mean in the difference in the way Smiley is played. At the time I was only commenting on the superficial appearance (not realising I would got beyond that when it came to the rest of the cast—haha).
I agree on Allenine. I loved Aldridge, but he just really wasn’t what I saw in the book. Toby Jones isn’t precisely it either, but he’s much closer for me.
Precisely my thoughts on Tarr. I was neutral towards the character and I’m neutral towards the casting. I think Hardy has the charm to pull him off though.
As I recall, Smiley guesses that Peter is around forty, but mentions that he has a young face, so I always pictured Peter as possibly being forty, but looking in his mid to late thirties, which Benedict pulls off rather nicely. (Also: Oh! He’s your favourite too? I would offer a high five, but would that be inappropriate? xD)
While I agree that neither Richardson, nor Firth have necessarily the ideal look, I do think that there’s something in their attitudes that makes them work well (I’m hypothesising on Firth of course, but we’ll see).
Yes. Yes. Also: yes.](http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lq55ihhuAc1qc7q7vo1_500.png)
fuckyeahtinkertailorsoldierspy:
“Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy”
BBC series 1979 & Alfredson’s film 2011
Mod Notes: A fantastic contrast in the overall look in the characters from the 1979 version to the 2011 version. My observations:
- It’s rather eerie the resemblance between Alec Guinness and Gary Oldman here.
- I do like Michael Aldridge’s Allenine, but Toby Jones just looks so slimy that I can’t help but love him.
- I liked Hywel Bennett’s Tarr, despite being rather indifferent at best to the character. I have a feeling that, for me at least, Tom Hardy will duplicate the effect, though Hardy’s got a roguish charm that seems to win people over.
- I find Benedict Cumberbatch’s Guillam much more similar to what I imagined when I originally read the book than Michael Jayston’s.
- I’m very torn between Colin Firth and Ian Richardson for Haydon, because I absolutely love Richardson’s portrayal, but Colin Firth really does have a lot of promise.
- I don’t have much of an opinion on Bland yet, though I much prefer Ciarán Hinds’ look to that of Terence Rigby.
- Okay, hands-down, I adore that John Hurt was cast as Control. Knox was good, but Hurt just has this look that I imagined when I first read the book.
- I very much like David Dencik as Esterhase for the same reason I love Toby Jones as Allenine—he just looks slimy, and I absolutely love it. His initial description in the book (which was admittedly through Guillam’s eyes, as I recall, which probably coloured my own perception immensely) gave me the distinct impression of someone similar in nature to one of those not-particularly-pleasant-natured cave crickets, and I never quite got that from Bernard Hepton.
- While I do love what I’m seeing from Mark Strong’s Prideaux, he’s going to have to put on one hell of a performance to top how I feel about Ian Bannen. That said, I think if it can be done, Mark Strong is the man for the job.
Any thoughts from the followers of the blog?
[Special thanks to Internet Movie Database for helping me remember all those names. It’s been a long time since I’ve watched the 1979 version.]
I’ve decided to add some thoughts too.
- Despite of all similar outlooks, I still think that Oldman’s Smiley is MUCH different from Guinness’s. When I’ve first seen the second TTSS trailer, I noticed a small thing: Smiley was holding an umbrella. It’s kind of an allegoric thing that shows all the differences between two interpretations of character. If you remember the book, the first appearance of George is in the Chapter 2: “Unlike Jim Prideaux, Mr George Smiley was not naturally equipped for hurrying in the rain, least of all at dead of night. Indeed, he might have been the final form for which Bill Roach was the prototype. Small, podgy and at best middle-aged, he was by appearance one of London’s meek who do not inherit the earth. His legs were short, his gait anything but agile, his dress costly, ill-fitting and extremely wet. His overcoat, which had a hint of widowhood about it, was of that black, loose weave which is designed to retain moisture ”. So, that’s it: Oldman’s Smiley was given an umbrella, when Guinness’s actually wasn’t. I mean Alec’s version is more defenseless-looking, but it makes him also more “multilayer”. First he’s just a retired old “fat spy” (as his wife Ann said), quite unlucky in the average man’s life he have to live after saying goodbye to the Circus. And only several chapters later you can see him as a great professional, Guinness played him exactly like this. Oldman’s George is sharper, his professional nature is more evident, and you can see it from the first shot. OK, all of this only in my point of view.
- Michael Aldridge’s Allenine is brilliant in my opinion, but, to be honest, I imagined him quite different when I was reading the book. I like Toby Jones for this role, because he seemed more intriguer-looking (Percy actually was this kind of person, I think).
- I feel absolutely neutrally about Ricki Tarr’s casting. May be because I never had a clear vision of this character, I don’t know how exactly I want him to look. It’s more a question of charm and charisma to play him.
- So, finally, about my favorite Peter. I absolutely agree with you, Cumberbatch is totally close to what I imagined, and I was slightly confused when I saw Michael Jayston as Guillam in BBC miniseries. But Benedict has an exotic beauty and charm and not everyone finds him as “a good-looking man” as Guillam was first described. Also they made Peter’s character a little bit younger in the film, isn’t they? And I absolutely OK with this. Smiley guessed he’s about forty years old, but with all Peter’s problems with romantic ideals of Englishman and with using men from the old Circus generation as an constant example for his work and even life, he seemed younger, so I visualized him in my mind younger.
- Neither Richardson nor Firth seems an ideal cast for Haydon for me, but I have huge expectations for Colin in the future film.
- And John Hurt will be brilliant as Control.
Responding:
- I do see what you mean in the difference in the way Smiley is played. At the time I was only commenting on the superficial appearance (not realising I would got beyond that when it came to the rest of the cast—haha).
- I agree on Allenine. I loved Aldridge, but he just really wasn’t what I saw in the book. Toby Jones isn’t precisely it either, but he’s much closer for me.
- Precisely my thoughts on Tarr. I was neutral towards the character and I’m neutral towards the casting. I think Hardy has the charm to pull him off though.
- As I recall, Smiley guesses that Peter is around forty, but mentions that he has a young face, so I always pictured Peter as possibly being forty, but looking in his mid to late thirties, which Benedict pulls off rather nicely. (Also: Oh! He’s your favourite too? I would offer a high five, but would that be inappropriate? xD)
- While I agree that neither Richardson, nor Firth have necessarily the ideal look, I do think that there’s something in their attitudes that makes them work well (I’m hypothesising on Firth of course, but we’ll see).
- Yes. Yes. Also: yes.
