Smiley's People Blu-Ray Review

 ***Complimentary copy received in exchange for an honest review***

 The gripping sequel to John le Carré’s classic Cold War-era spy drama, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, Smiley’s People debuts on Blu-ray from Acorn on August 6, 2013, now with more than an hour of new bonus features. Oscar® winner Alec Guinness (Obi-Wan Kenobi in Star Wars, Lawrence of Arabia) reprises his BAFTA-winning role that the San Francisco Chronicle called “the crowning role of the great actor’s long career” as retired spymaster George Smiley for the 1982 sequel. Filmed on location in London, Paris, Hamburg, and Berne, Smiley’s People co-stars Patrick Stewart (Star Trek: The Next Generation, X-Men), Siân Phillips (Dune), Eileen Atkins (Upstairs, Downstairs), and Bill Paterson (Traffik). The Blu-ray 2-disc set includes six episodes, along with the new addition of 62 min. of deleted/extended scenes as well as a 20-min. interview with John le Carré, production notes, book list, and more ($59.99, AcornOnline.com).

Celebrated for its literate scripts and intricate plotting, the series was nominated for three Emmys® in 1983--including director, actor, and miniseries—and won four BAFTAs in 1982. The release follows the successful 2011 feature film, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, and original Blu-ray release that renewed interest John le Carré’s works. 

Both men had supposedly outlived their usefulness to the Circus, the British Secret Intelligence Service: George Smiley, the retired head of espionage, and General Vladimir, an aging informant who reported to him. When the general walks into a bullet after sending an urgent message to his old handler, the Circus asks Smiley to “tidy things up.” But Smiley hears Vladimir’s message as a call to arms against his nemesis, the Soviet super spy Karla, once again tantalizingly within his grasp.

The miniseries also stars Anthony Bate (Nowhere in Africa), Bernard Hepton (Secret Army, Gandhi), Michael Lonsdale (Moonraker), Beryl Reid (The Killing of Sister George), and Michael Gough (Batman).

Bonus Features: Deleted/extended scenes (62 min.), interview with John le Carré  (20 min.), production notes, le Carré biography and booklist, and an insert with a glossary of main characters and terms

Street: Aug. 6, 2013                                      SRP: $59.99

Blu-ray 2-Disc Set: 6 Episodes - Approx. 324 min., plus 82 min. bonus – British drama – SDH subtitles 

UPC: 0-54961-8937-9-9                                 ISBN: 978-1-59828-937-4

Contains nudity, sexual situations, violence, and disturbing images

*Acorn previously re-released Smiley’s People as a DVD 3-Disc Set in Oct. 2011.

 My Thoughts

Smiley's people is the sequel to Tinker, Tailor, Solider Spy. The spine-tinkling action continues when Smiley, former head of espionage for the British Secret Intelligence Service, has been forced into retirement along with Vladimir, the informant who used to work under him. When Vladimir gets caught up in a shoot out, Smiley is supposed to brush it under the table, but instead, he uses it as a way to get back into the game and hunt for his old anniversary, Karla, the soviet super spy.

This was a spy film filled with intrigue and edge of your seat tension. I was excited to see Patrick Stewart enter the role of Karla. He adds a soft-spot to the hardcore spy who wants to bring his mentally ill daughter to the West for treatment. A unique and realistic look at the cold war with actors and settings that really bring it to life.


You can order Smileys People for only $49.99 at Acorn Media.


***Please note that I received no form of monetary compensation for this post. I did receive a sample of the product to try in order to write a fair and honest review. The opinions expressed in this review are my own and were not influenced in any way. ***