Summary
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spyis, undeniably, an underrated film. Although it won the BAFTA Award for Outstanding British Film and received three Oscar nominations, the film has not received its due respect in the years since its release. Notably, despite talks of a sequel since its release in 2011, the project has seemingly fallen to the wayside, and I’m a little upset by that.
TheCold War spy filmwas based onJohn le Carré’s 1974 novel of the same name. Set in London during the early 1970s, the story revolves around a team of British Secret Service agents as they scramble to hunt down a Soviet double agent who has infiltrated the agency. Le Carré’s novel was also the basis for the critically acclaimed 1979 BBC television series of the same name, with Alec Guinness in the lead role of Smiley. However, while both adaptations are hugely enjoyable, I believe thatthe Gary Oldman version remains one of the most underrated modern entries in the entire spy movie genre.
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Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy Is A Great Spy Movie With A Brilliant Cast
It’s A Who’s Who of Popular Actors
Not only isTinker Tailor Soldier Spya fantastic film, but it also boasts a who’s who of British acting. Notable players include Benedict Cumberbatch, who was at the height of his popularity thanks to the BBC seriesSherlock. Cumberbatch had also appeared inAtonementandThe Other Boleyn Girl. The film also starsGary Oldman as George Smiley,the role that earned him his first Best Actor nomination at the 84th Academy Awards. Before this, Oldman’s notable roles included Sirius Black in theHarry Potterfranchise, Commissioner Gordon inThe Dark Knight Trilogy, and Count Dracula inBram Stoker’s Dracula.
…Tinker Tailor Soldier Spyis, in my opinion, one of the best-acted movies of the past 15 years.
Other notable stars ofTinker Tailor Soldier SpyincludeTom Hardyas Ricki Tarr (he had previously starred inInception), Colin Firth as Bill Haydon (Mamma Mia!andThe King’s Speech), and Mark Strong as Jim Prideaux (Kick-Ass,Robin Hood, andGreen Lantern). Across the board,top British acting talent elevates what is already an iconic spy story, courtesy of Le Carré. With electric performances from everyone involved,Tinker Tailor Soldier Spyis, in my opinion, one of the best-acted movies of the past 15 years.
A Sequel Most Likely Won’t Happen
It’s baffling to me thatTinker Tailor Soldier Spynever got a sequel. Not only was it a critical and commercial success, butthe novel the film was based on is only the first of Le Carré’sSmiley Versus Karlatrilogy. The second and third books in the series areThe Honourable Schoolboy(1977) andSmiley’s People(1979), respectively. This means that there is no dearth of material that could be pulled for a sequel.
FromTinker Tailor Soldier Spy’s 2011 release to December 2021, rumors circulated that a sequel was in the works, although it was unknown if the sequel would be based onThe Honourable SchoolboyorSmiley’s People. Unfortunately, in 2021, it was revealed that the rights to theSmiley Versus Karlatrilogy had reverted to Le Carré’s estate. This means that, now, a sequel to the acclaimed spy film is unlikely. However, that’s not going to stop me from holding out hope for a long-awaited sequel.
