BBC drama hailed as 'greatest spy thriller of the century'
The Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy film, starring Gary Oldman, Benedict Cumberbatch and Colin Firth, is referred to as the "greatest spy thriller of the century" by film fans
"Excellent casting, acting and directing" was the verdict of one viewer who watched the blockbuster thriller featuring Gary Oldman, Colin Firth and Benedict Cumberbatch.
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, a 2011 spy film set amidst the Cold War, held the top spot at the British box office for three consecutive weeks. Even years later, cinema enthusiasts continue to sing praises of its plot, with one critic hailing it as one of the "greatest spy thrillers of the century".
A review on Rotten Tomatoes reads: "A calm, deep, complex yet intense spy movie that I still enjoy watching today. The scene setup and details are amazing, drastically different from those with aggressive and dramatic fight/CGI movies, which usually have very little plot over storyline and character details."
The thriller, based on the 1974 novel, transports you back to 1970s London during the search for a Soviet double agent operating at the highest level of the British secret service. The head of MI6 covertly sends an agent to liaise with a Hungarian general who knows the identity of the clandestine Soviet spy but unfortunately dies before he can spill the beans.
Following his forced retirement, ex-spy George Smiley, portrayed by Gary Oldman, is recruited by a high-ranking government official to probe into the mole. During his meticulous investigation, he soon discovers that the said Soviet source has firmly entrenched themselves within the service in a bid to access U.S. intelligence information, reports the Express.
One film enthusiast shared their thoughts on Rotten Tomatoes, praising the movie as a "masterfully crafted spy games movie that may be too slow for some. Paranoia, anxiety and betrayal everywhere. I loved it."
Another reviewer said: "Slow, serious, at times bleak. With an ever-present tension. Spectacular acting and visually beautiful. It takes a bit of patience to fully enjoy this one, but it definitely pays off."
Given its impressive ensemble, including Colin Firth, Tom Hardy, Benedict Cumberbatch, and Kathy Burke, it is no surprise that Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy went on to receive a BAFTA for Outstanding British Film, as well as three major Oscar nominations.
One viewer said the film featured the "best acting ever", going on to comment: "With the best casting ever done in a movie! And the best movie screenplay ever adapted!".
On the other hand, not everyone felt the film deserved its high praise. A less-than-impressed viewer wrote: "A sincere attempt but falls short of the 1979 miniseries. The movie relies on visuals and contains minimal exposition; it works when you know the story."
A significant number of viewers have praised the film's slow-burning narrative style, which favours build-up over fast-paced action sequences. A review states: "It doesn't surprise me that people who are spoon-fed CGI and explosions and shootouts every three minutes won't enjoy it, but for me, I'd like to see more films like this being made."
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