Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy (1979) (Episode 1)

Part 1 of 7 of the classic thriller from 1979. After the death of Control, the head of the British secret service, government agents contact his former deputy George Smiley to front an investigation. For there is fears that there is a double agent among their highest ranks in British Intelligence after a spy mission in Czechoslovakia goes wrong - a select group known as "The Circus." The suspects are listed in the guises of an old nursery rhyme, with Percy Alleline (Tinker), Bill Haydon (Tailor), Roy Bland (Soldier), and Toby Esterhaze (Poor Man) among those suspected. But just who could be the mole in MI5? Starring Alec Guinness, Michael Jayston, Bernard Hepton, Ian Richardson, Michael Aldridge, Terence Rigby, Anthony Bate, Ian Bannen, Alexander Knox, George Sewell, Nigel Stock, Hywel Bennett, Milos Kirek, Eugene Lipinski, Alec Sabion and Brian Hawksley. This was originally broadcast on September 10th 1979 and saw Alec Guinness persuaded to do television for the first time in his career. It proved to be a wise choice as this became a huge critical and popular success, and won Best Actor for Guinness at the TV BAFTAs. It was also nominated for Best Drama Serial, but lost out to Testament of Youth that year. With someone recently mentioning Michael Jayston, I remembered I had this series and thought I'd upload it on here. It's complex, slow moving but utterly compelling and has a host of stars giving top notch performances. Plus for Jayston fans, not only do they see him but they can listen to that voice of his too. I suspect that it'll take me throughout the day to upload all of the episodes, but this is an absorbing opener. Enjoy, and keep your wits about you following the plot.