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Poster for Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy

Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy

Seen it?

2011 | 127 min | Drama, Thriller, Mystery

Saturday Special

Why it’s a Saturday Special

Critics loved it (84% on Rotten Tomatoes) and it's still drawing plenty of interest. A strong pick for the weekend.

Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.

Is it for you?

Who'll love it
Made for anyone who likes to be kept guessing. If you loved Black Bag, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
The mood
Tense.
The pace
Takes its time with its characters, at 2 hr 7 min.
What might put you off
  • Rated R: meant for adults.
  • Audiences were cooler on it than critics.

George Smiley, the aging master spy of the Cold War and once heir apparent to Control, is brought back out of retirement to flush out a top level mole within the Circus. Smiley must travel back through his life and murky workings of the Circus to unravel the net spun by his nemesis Karla 'The Sandman' of the KGB and reveal the identity of the mole before he disappears.

How it earned its rating

  • CriticsVery strong

    84% on Rotten Tomatoes, 85 on Metacritic

  • AudiencesSolid

    6.6 out of 10

  • AwardsSolid

    Nominated for 3 Oscars.

  • Box office & staying powerSolid

    $82 million worldwide on a $30 million budget; still draws a steady audience long after release

  • Buzz & cultural impactStrong

    About 664K people sought it out in the past year

Trailer

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Cast & crew

Directed by Tomas Alfredson

  • Gary OldmanGeorge Smiley
  • Colin FirthBill Haydon
  • Tom HardyRicki Tarr
  • John HurtControl
  • Toby JonesPercy Alleline
  • Mark StrongJim Prideaux
  • Benedict CumberbatchPeter Guillam
  • Ciarán HindsRoy Bland
  • David DencikToby Esterhase
  • Kathy BurkeConnie Sachs