Violence isn't constant but includes guns and shooting, dead bodies, blood and gore, and violence against women (a mother is killed while nursing her baby, and another woman's head is beaten against a window). London , December 14: Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy author John le Carre, known for his Cold War thrillers, died at the age of 89 on Saturday in Cornwall, England. Thank you for your support. Swedish director Tomas Alfredson, making his English language debut, maintains an intricate balance, and Oldman, walking in Guinness' formidable shoes, gives a truly great, reserved performance. Farewell John le Carré, one of modern literatureâs most substantial talents. Some of the period detail is a bit dated, but the plot is a really good dramatization of real Cold War treason within the British Secret Intelligence Service. Your purchase helps us remain independent and ad-free. ... who has died at the age of 89. John le Carré Dies: Writer Behind Cold War Classics Like âTinker Tailor Soldier Spyâ Was 89 Wire Services/ IndieWire. The hero of several of author John Le Carre's spy thrillers makes his move to television via the 1979 BBC adaptation of TINKER, TAILOR, SOLDIER, SPY. We're updating our reviews to better highlight authentic stories and accurate, diverse representations. John le Carre, the spy-turned-novelist whose elegant and ⦠A man kills a bird that's entered a room through a fireplace. Be the first to review this title. Get full reviews, ratings, and advice delivered weekly to your inbox. His task is to find a mole planted deep within the ranks of MI6. In many scenes, characters just seem to be sitting in rooms and talking. The show is not based on any historical elements but there could be an educational opportunity for teens interested in learning more about the political environment of the cold war and the role of espionage in world politics. Throat-slashing and dead bodies, with strong blood and gore in a few scenes. Complex and powerful movie is for adults only. Don’t bother. There aren't any reviews yet. The movie is based on the classic novel by John le Carre -- which was also made into a 1979 miniseries starring Alec Guinness. The site's critics' consensus states: "Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy is a dense puzzle of anxiety, paranoia, and espionage that director Tomas Alfredson pieces together with utmost skill." Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners. A man is seen almost naked. Most of the characters -- except the hero -- smoke cigarettes and drink casually throughout (the story is set in the early 1970s). Here it's Alec Guinness who steals the show, a cold and ever-vigilant spy among spies, who says more with the raise of an eyebrow than many actors can in three-minute monologues. Is it a realistic one? Britainâs Secret Intelligence Service (SIS), ⦠Common Sense and other associated names and logos are trademarks of Common Sense Media, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (FEIN: 41-2024986). John le Carre, the British writer best known for his Cold War espionage novels âTinker Tailor Soldier Spyâ and âThe Spy Who Came In From The Coldâ, has died Thursday, January 7, 2021 1:31 PM See our. Violence isn't constant but includes guns and shooting, dead bodies, blood and gore, and violence against women (a mother is killed while nursing her baby, and another woman's head is beaten against a window). Excellent, smart spy thriller for mature teens and up. © Common Sense Media. He faces tough opposition from the men in charge and can trust nobody aside from his young assistant, Peter Guillam (Benedict Cumberbatch). There is not a ton of violence throughout the movie but definitely some. Are there any contemporary news stories that resemble the events of the film? Tinker Tailorâs director, John Irvin, now 79, is one of the few people still alive who was involved in ⦠It's a warm bath full of mildly corrosive acid that demands attention and earns admiration. Edit. 4.0 out of 5 stars le Carre comes of age with this book. A couple is seen having sex in bed, from a distance; the woman is on top and is shown from behind. ... age 17+ Based on our expert review. If you chose to provide an email address, it will only be used to contact you about your comment. Excellent British cop series with blood and some intimacy. His death was confirmed on Sunday by his literary agency, the Curtis Brown Group, The New York Times reported. Families can talk about what kind of messages a show like this sends. Former operative George Smiley (Alec Guinness) is coaxed out of retirement after it's discovered that there may be a Russian agent working at the highest levels of British intelligence. Indeed, this quiet movie generates more suspense than a hundred chases and shoot-outs. A topless woman appears at a club. The atmosphere depicted in the series is one where intelligence and cunning are prized, as is loyalty to one's country. Language is also infrequent but includes a few uses of "f--k." There's also some nudity and onscreen sex (toplessness, a woman shown from behind while atop a man, etc. Terence Rigby and Alec Guinness in Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy. Many spy movies tend to rely mostly on dialogue and exotic locations to tell their complex stories, but the superb TINKER TAILER SOLDIER SPY gets by on subtlety. Reviewed in the United States on September 2, 2017. Amid the often-violent spy activities, the movie includes problem solving and ethical choice-making. During the Cold War, following a blown operation in Hungary in which a British Intelligence agent is shot, former agent George Smiley (Gary Oldman) is pulled out of retirement. Britainâs Secret Intelligence Service (SIS), ⦠We're updating our reviews to better highlight authentic stories and accurate, diverse representations. The Good Shepherd is another film that explores the pensive, thoughtful, layered suspense aspect of the spy movie genre with little or no action, but a lot of intrigue and scheming. The Cold War of the mid-20th Century continues to damage international relations. Is George Smiley a good role model? All rights reserved. Join now. Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy movie reviews & Metacritic score: The time is 1973. Common Sense is the nation's leading nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of all kids and families by providing the trustworthy information, education, and independent voice they need to thrive in the 21st century. Parents need to know that Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (adapted from a classic John le Carre spy novel) is an intelligent, adult movie. I can't speak ill of The Good Shepherd, but Tinker, Tailor, Soldier Spy is just better. Directed by Tomas Alfredson. Does the movie seem especially violent in regard to women? Wondering if Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy is OK for your kids? MPAA: They drink a bit extra during a Christmas party sequence. Good, wise characters with plenty of common sense stand up to shady characters who would use fear to increase their own power. We won't share this comment without your permission. Rotten Tomatoes reports an approval rating of 83% based on 228 reviews, with an average rating of 7.79/10. Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy is perhaps one of the finest examples of the BBC's ability to cast remarkable talent in dramatic productions that rival any contemporary theatrical work. Other kissing, moaning, and fondling. Live Reviews. The star rating reflects overall quality. 5 Movie And TV Adaptations Of John Le Carre Novels To Watch Unlike many spy movies, there's very little shooting or chasing here. Help kids deal with news coverage of the attack on the U.S. Capitol. Since the story is set in the early 1970s, characters smoke cigarettes freely and drink casually. For grown-ups and mature teens, this is a terrific film, arguably one of the best spy movies ever made. This file photo shows British author John Le Carre at the UK film premiere of 'Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy,' in London. Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy is a 1974 spy novel by British author John le Carré.It follows the endeavours of taciturn, aging spymaster George Smiley to uncover a Soviet mole in the British Secret Intelligence Service.The novel has received critical acclaim for its complex social commentaryâand, at the time, relevance, following the defection of Kim Philby. Compared to the typical pulse-pounding spy series of today, Tinker, Tailor is certainly a throwback, but in the best possible way. First shown on American television in 1980, and released on Blu-ray in 2012, this tense, taught espionage thriller does an excellent job ⦠Suggest an update to this review. Here it's Alec Guinness who steals the show, a cold and ever-vigilant spy among spies, who says more with the raise of an eyebrow than many actors can in three-minute monologues. George Smiley isn't a spy like James Bond: He's gentle, reserved, and thoughtful. What to Watch, Read, and Play While Your Kids Are Stuck Indoors, Common Sense Selections for family entertainment, Check out new Common Sense Selections for games, Teachers: Find the best edtech tools for your classroom with in-depth expert reviews, Talking to Kids About the Violence at the U.S. Capitol, Cómo hablar con los niños sobre la violencia en el Capitolio de los Estados Unidos, Actividades de bienestar para el invierno, Which Side of History? 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