Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (TV, 1979)

After a failed mission in Czechoslovakia that has left a British intelligence man in the hands of the Soviets, Control, the head of the SIS, is dead and his right hand man Smiley has been retired. When Smiley returns home one night he finds Peter Guillam, one of his old proteges, is waiting to take him to a secret meeting. Ricky Tarr is one of their men gone AWOL and he has a story to tell, a story about spies...

British TV drama had something of a heyday in the late 70s and early 80s with shows like I Claudius, House of Cards and this. Some of Britain's best actors were turning to telly, much to the pleasure of the viewer Tinker Taylor being Alec Guinness' first go at it. Based on the novel by John le Carré, a genuine ex member of the secret service, the suburban, understated action gives all a very real feel. There are no ridiculous car chases or shoot-outs in this one, which is funny given that the director John Irvin is better known for the action films Raw Deal and Hamburger Hill. Guinness, despite his personal feeling that he wouldn't be right for the part, is wonderful as Smiley, the quiet and put-upon man from the ministry. Michael Jayston is a very good Peter Guillam and went on to be the voice of every le Carré audiobook I've heard, and I've heard them all. Beryl Reid, though better known as a comedy actress, does a stunning and tragic turn as Connie and Ian Richardson as Bill Haydon shows his usual professionalism. There are simply too many good actors to name them all here.
I loved Gary Oldman's film version of a couple of years ago but this series takes the gloss off it and reminds you that real espionage isn't about Bond gadgets and Bourne chases, it's about people and the lies they tell.

I guess it's all for the good of the country...but whose?

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0080297/?ref_=nv_sr_2