Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (Blu-ray) Official AVSForum Review - Page 2

I watched Tinker, Taylor again yesterday, which was the third time I had seen the film. I have liked it better each time. Yesterday I was particularly impressed by the large ensemble cast surrounding Gary Oldman's Smiley, especially Tom Hardy as Ricki Tarr, Benedict Cumberbatch as Smiley's young acolyte Peter Guillam, and the always marvelous Mark Strong as Jim Prideaux. Also, I noticed subtleties this time that I had missed in earlier viewings. For example, Warning: Spoiler! (Click to show) All of this went to show just what a treacherous business spying really is and that George Smiley was the ultimate spy.

Also saw this T-T version a second time last week (Verizon's FIOS and a pro-monitor 1080p Panny plasma). Would pick up the BRD if comments/full reviews
were more enthusiastic about the PQ.

But apparently the original 35mm negatives and 4k DI] also have diminished hues and fuzziness, 'crafted' in, too. A dramatically different look in film/digital theater presentations would negate that assumption. So, as mentioned here by tech-insiders for years, studios still seem hesitant about using precious original negatives for DVD productions.

One example of using less-'precious' negatives (16mm) for BR production, with dramatically improved contrast, color and resolution, is the 5-part BBC mini-series of Pride and Prejudice, (compared in side-by-side video restoration images and llnked here until 2011).

Maybe they'll rework "Smiley's People" one of these days and make better use of negatives, or even downrezzed 4k files that deliver better fidelity to audiences.

Puzzled by the ending to this Tinker-Tailor version. On my 3-disc SD version with Alex Guinness as Smiley, when they set a trap for the MI6 mole, believe only one person shows up and is caught. But in this version all the remaining staff drive up and then leave, implying I don't know what. -- John

I have been hooked on Le Carre since I read "The Spy Who Came In From The Cold" in 1967.

Compared to the TV series of many years ago I was a little disappointed in this movie. Knowing the book and having seen the TV series I kept seeing gaps in the story and in the development of the characters and relationships. Obviously this was due to the time restraints imposed by a single feature length movie but never the less it did spoil the movie for me. Also, I was not impressed with acting in general and particularly with Colin Firth and Gary Oldman. I always thought of Bill Haydon as having a cheeky, irreverent side that did not come out. Colin Firth was too stiff. With Oldman it was as if I could see him acting and his accent sounded false. Guinness was a better Smiley but I often think I would have liked to have seen Denholm Elliot in that role.

I would love to see a remake of "The Spy Who Came In From The Cold", my favourite Le Carre book.

I sure agree but want to add that George Smiley only promised that he "would do his best." Like a good lawyer or spy, he used the truth to tell a lie.