Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy Blu-Ray Review

Director: Tomas Alfredson

Cast: Gary Oldman, Colin Firth, John Hurt, Benedict Cumberbatch, Tom Hardy, Toby Jones

Certificate: 15

Extras: Commentary, Featurettes, Interviews, Trailers, Photo Gallery

Overall, 2011 was a remarkable year for cinema. Not only was there a wave of impressive foreign and independent films that broke through to the mainstream (ANIMAL KINGDOM, THE WOMAN, THE SKIN I LIVE IN), but Hollywood also put in a good effort during blockbuster season (RISE OF THE PLANET OF THE APES, X-MEN: FIRST CLASS). However, the film that provoked more excitement than any other was decidedly homegrown; it was also more cerebral than most box-office big hitters. Yes, TINKER TAILOR SOLDIER SPY was both a critical and commercial success – and with good reason.

Based on the John le Carré novel (previously adapted into a Alec Guiness-starring TV mini-series), TINKER TAILOR tells the story of George Smiley (Gary Oldman), a retired Secret Service agent brought back into the fold to investigate his old colleagues in ‘The Circus’ and find the ‘mole’. Its non-linear narrative and intricate plotting are undeniably gripping, and each revelation proves more fascinating than the last.

Though TINKER TAILOR is based on well-regarded and proven source material, the film belongs to its cast – each of whom delivers a powerhouse performance – and director Tomas Alfredson, who maintains the visual flair he demonstrated in the beautiful LET THE RIGHT ONE IN. Here he creates something of a visual oxymoron – vivid yet dull, TINKER TAILOR uses the bland and nicotine-stained aesthetics of the 1970s as an unlikely pallet. Truly unmissable.

Extras: The commentary with Alfredson and Oldman is predictably intriguing, and the interview with novelist John le Carré is at times fascinating, particularly when he gives an insight to his time in the secret service and how real events inspired the book. The other interviews and featurettes are mostly filler and of little interest.

   TINKER TAILOR SOLDIER SPY is available to buy on Blu-ray and DVD 30th January