Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy
Director: Tomas Alfredson
Writers: Bridget O'Conner (screenplay), Peter Straughan (screenplay), and John LeCarre´
I read the book by LeCarre´ and saw the PBS production with Alec Guinness some years ago, but had some new thoughts on the story when I recently saw the movie with Gary Oldman. I suppose I have had some experiences that gave me different insights about it.
As is true of many of LeCarre’s books, Tinker is about betrayal. On one level, the betrayal is about country and the need to identify the mole or traitor who is passing information to the enemy. On another level, the betrayal is about the personal relationships that must be betrayed when one is a traitor. What is fascinating about this story are the questions raised about betrayal.
The first question, quickly disposed of, is whether betrayal is simply a matter of personal failure or deficiency. On the one hand, it surely is, but on the other hand, LeCarre´ is telling the story of espionage. Above all else, espionage is about betrayal. LeCarre’s flawed spymaster, Smiley, is himself a former recruiter of traitors who works for an organization whose duties are to obtain information from traitors and then analyze it. Here is the first betrayal: an organization of people whose very purpose is to recruit traitors. Betrayal cannot be simply attributed to flawed individuals.
The second question, LeCarre’s issue, is to understand that secrets are the mechanisms that allow betrayal. To prevent or at least encumber betrayal, the organization erects barricades to keep its secrets secure. So, the first discovery must be the betrayal itself. When Smiley begins his quest, he does not have proof that the organization has been betrayed. Instead, he knows that there has been personal betrayal and from that begins to unravel the reasons for that personal betrayal. Unraveling the secrets that lead to betrayal is like opening the Russian dolls: Inside each one is another. The secrets that hide the betrayal of the organization are the personal secrets that the people in the organization have and want to keep. The secrets span the scope of the deficiencies that people have. Sex, drink, and the desire for power motivate people to hide the truths that Smiley needs to find his ultimate traitor.
The third question that LeCarre´ raises is what prepares someone to uncover secrets. Professionally, Smiley is well-suited to uncover these secrets. As a former case officer, he has had to understand, accept, and use individual flaws to recruit traitors. He uses these skills with his colleagues as he uncovers their secrets and pieces together how their secrets have been hiding treason.
Smiley also understands how personal betrayal can feed professional betrayal. Smiley’s wife, who is serially unfaithful to him, has also had a relationship with one of his colleagues. Smiley’s success comes when he recognizes how his wife’s personal betrayal is related to his colleague’s treason
Director: Tomas Alfredson
Writers: Bridget O'Conner (screenplay), Peter Straughan (screenplay), and John LeCarre´
I read the book by LeCarre´ and saw the PBS production with Alec Guinness some years ago, but had some new thoughts on the story when I recently saw the movie with Gary Oldman. I suppose I have had some experiences that gave me different insights about it.
As is true of many of LeCarre’s books, Tinker is about betrayal. On one level, the betrayal is about country and the need to identify the mole or traitor who is passing information to the enemy. On another level, the betrayal is about the personal relationships that must be betrayed when one is a traitor. What is fascinating about this story are the questions raised about betrayal.
The first question, quickly disposed of, is whether betrayal is simply a matter of personal failure or deficiency. On the one hand, it surely is, but on the other hand, LeCarre´ is telling the story of espionage. Above all else, espionage is about betrayal. LeCarre’s flawed spymaster, Smiley, is himself a former recruiter of traitors who works for an organization whose duties are to obtain information from traitors and then analyze it. Here is the first betrayal: an organization of people whose very purpose is to recruit traitors. Betrayal cannot be simply attributed to flawed individuals.
The second question, LeCarre’s issue, is to understand that secrets are the mechanisms that allow betrayal. To prevent or at least encumber betrayal, the organization erects barricades to keep its secrets secure. So, the first discovery must be the betrayal itself. When Smiley begins his quest, he does not have proof that the organization has been betrayed. Instead, he knows that there has been personal betrayal and from that begins to unravel the reasons for that personal betrayal. Unraveling the secrets that lead to betrayal is like opening the Russian dolls: Inside each one is another. The secrets that hide the betrayal of the organization are the personal secrets that the people in the organization have and want to keep. The secrets span the scope of the deficiencies that people have. Sex, drink, and the desire for power motivate people to hide the truths that Smiley needs to find his ultimate traitor.
The third question that LeCarre´ raises is what prepares someone to uncover secrets. Professionally, Smiley is well-suited to uncover these secrets. As a former case officer, he has had to understand, accept, and use individual flaws to recruit traitors. He uses these skills with his colleagues as he uncovers their secrets and pieces together how their secrets have been hiding treason.
Smiley also understands how personal betrayal can feed professional betrayal. Smiley’s wife, who is serially unfaithful to him, has also had a relationship with one of his colleagues. Smiley’s success comes when he recognizes how his wife’s personal betrayal is related to his colleague’s treason