George Sewell as 'Mendel'

I finally got round to watching Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy - the
BBC's dramatisation of Le Carre's novel, first broadcast in 1979.

A very interesting piece of drama with some virtuoso performances
from several actors, especially Beryl Reid, Alec Guinness and Terence
Rigby. But it was nice to see George holding his own in that company,
albeit in a smallish part. I definitely felt that his acting was a
bit more natural than in UFO.

Patrick Stewart has a small (non-speaking!) part. He plays a manacled
Russian, staring sullenly across a desk while Smiley tries to persuade
him to defect.

A film version has been made (with Gary Oldman as Smiley) and should
be in cinemas soon.

On Sun, 21 Aug 2011 23:27:20 +0100
James Gibbon <[hidden email]> wrote:

Started watching the sequel, 'Smiley's People', last night - and
Vladek Sheybal is in it. Ten years older, hair a little thinner
and slightly unwell-looking - but just as intense.

James