Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy - Radio Adaptation - Starring Bernard Hepton as George Smiley - Full 

I've consumed Tinker, Tailor in every one of its many formats over the past 35 years (the novel, the Beeb series, the audiobook, the recent film), but this adaptation's streamlined linear narrative and little extra bits of exposition to help the OAPs follow along is the single best distillation of the novel's Byzantine plot I've ever heard. Outstanding, thank you so much for posting it!

Mr. Hepton sounded almost exactly like Alec Guinness as Smiley in the TV series. Amazingly great imitation!

Bernard Hepton, such a talent. In fact, great listening to all of the actors. I never tire of this version. Thank you all round and also for posting.

I am so grateful to be able to listen to this version, which I did not know. Like so many others I am mad about Bernard Hepton, and will never forget him dancing around Thun in Switzerland in 'Smileys People' with the most superb accent, using his team to entrap a Russian for Smiley. Wonderful actor and I have watched the BBC TV series time after time.

I like Hepton's Smiley. Always have, since I picked this up on cassette tape in the 90s. But his Toby Esterhase? PERFECTION.

It's quite weird hearing Bernard Hepton as Smiley - particularly when he is talking to Esterhase. The BBC TV serial actors still are the yardstick for Le Carre's characters.

You can absolutely hear how Gary Oldman’s Smiley’s voice and cadence was inspired by Bernard Hepton’s. Hepton was wonderful.

Bernard Hepton had such a deft touch at everything he did....Colditz, I Clavdivs, BBC TV Le Carre, Secret Army. Also delighted to hear the excellent and also late James Grout as Percy. Thanks for posting this.

Wow, I‘d never heard this version before, such fun hearing Bernard Hepton as Smiley in conversation with Toby Esterhazy whom he plays in the TV version. Lovely production. Thank you.

RIP, John le Carré. Legend.

Absolutely brilliant and you know what? I never heard it before. A gem.

Excellent. I can never get enough of this story. Apart from Hollywood's recent drivel adaption. I cant count the number of times I've watched the BBC's adaption with Alec Guiness - Gold!

Hepton was a magnificent actor, pure gold this production

This is amazing. Thanks so much for posting. Love this dramatization. Genius

R.I.P. John le Carré. You are in from the Cold. We have to stay out a bit longer.

I’ve been listening to this while I work, and so enjoying it, thank you very much!

I've read the books, watched the show and film multiple times over the past couple years. I love how this radio drama has slight little details that are not in the book or show. This story never gets old.

To date (01/02/21) no finer espionage tale. Takes you back to the genesis of the spy novel.

Listening puts a totally different yet very nice perspective on the story. It’s also pleasant to hear the English language spoken well.

thank you so much for this upload, I much prefer this version to the later one with Simon Russel Beale - not because of his acting but because of the script. I have been searching for this for ages!

This was the first version of Tinker, Tailor that I ever discovered. I bought it on tape while visiting the UK and have never been able to upgrade to CD or download which is an absolute shame. I suppose the first iteration encountered becomes the definitive version. I’ve listened to it innumerable times; Hepton’s Smiley is such a comforting listen. I’m so glad that the BBC released A Small Town in Germany, A Perfect Spy and The Russia House on download. I suppose they’ve withheld this and Hepton’s Smiley’s People so their epic season of Smiley staring Simon Russell Beals has a free run. It was excellent but doesn’t quite measure up to Hepton’s two outings as Smiley.

Thank you, this is wonderful! I just listened to John Lecarre reading Agent Running in the Field. I got it through Overdrive from my local library.

Thanks for uploading this its been a very long time since I heard this version its very well done thanks again

La Carre and Hepton. I think I may faint from happiness...

This is an excellent adaptation. Top notch👍🏼

Thank you. This is my very favourite version.

I cannot thank you enough for this upload - I have been searching for this version in a listenable format for YEARS! I don't think it was ever issued as a CD, just tape. I heard it when first broadcast in 1988. I'm a huger admirer of Bernard Hepton - he is his usual brilliant self here & Rene Basilico is a brilliant radio adaptor.

Thanks for uploading these

A fantastic production of John LeCarre's novel. I have seen and listened to all previous TV, film and radio productions and this one sits high on the list. Thank you for posting

Thank you for the uploads. I have been searching for Bernard Hepton radio dramas. Superb quality upload of very rare content. Excellent productions.

Brilliant..thanks for posting it👍

This is interesting version - I've seen the BBC TV version, the more recent movie version and the audio book. This is well done - shows how a long work can be abridged and condensed.

This radio adaptation was my introduction to TTSS, so until I caught up with the TV series, Smiley was the soft spoken Hepton, perfect for radio. I lost my cassette copy of this over the years, so I'm delighted to be able to hear it again here, thanks for that! I too have consumed TTSS in all its formats over the years, well all of John le Carré's books actually, and here's a tip, the final novel, written when he was close to 90 years old and le Carré's final novel to be published before his death in 2020, Agent Running in the Field is very nearly as good!

Much better than the one they made later. Much much better. Thanks for sharing!!!!

I love this show…. Thank you….

John le Carre' died today. 12/13/2020. RIP

3rd listen lol - brilliant, thanks so sooo much for the upload!

Safe journey Mr. Le Carre. Thanks for all the intrigue.

"You scratch my conscience, I'll drive your jag."

This is fantastic quality!! :D

superb adaptation, immensely better than the last film version

Brilliant adaptation. " Who can spy on the spies?"

Thank you so much!!!

I will await listening to this properly and so interesting to have the newer version to compare it to. The BBC version with Simon Russell Beale as Smiley is incredible.

Thank you for this download. Been looking for this for years. Heard it originally on BBC Radio 4 in the days when they did real drama, instead of the weak soap opera rubbish of the 'Archers' that is now in the ascendancy. This is a brilliant adaptation with a stellar cast. Just as thrilling as the classic series with Alec Guinness.

So excellent!!! Thank-You$

One of my favourite stories - the book is brilliant as is the BBC adaptation. It's not just a spy story, Le Carre examines friendship, loyalty, trust and betrayal and principles and ideals mixed with patriotism. I can't get my head around Bernard Hepton (Toby) playing Smiley....I supposed I'm too familiar with the BBC series! And Percy sounds like the actor who plays Roddy Martindale in the BBC adaptation. Everybody's love to Ann! :)

Thoroughly enjoyed this. Apparently there are now 300 more variations to get through before I become a TinkerTailor Spyista.

I’ve never heard this one, thanks! I love the recent version with Simon Russell Beale playing George Smiley, but this is enjoyable as well 🙂. Just a bit confusing if you’re used to Bernard Hepton playing Toby in the TV version!

Thank you

Read the book at least thrice, seen the TV series, the film and probably this in the mists of time. Spent this stupidly hot afternoon listening to this all the way through. Slight differences but still hugely enjoyable. Fawn is still my favourite character, few lines but every one counts...

Bloody marvelous adaptation......

The best part of this recording is the scene with Connie Sachs. Amazing!

I heard John le Carre passed away. I am very sorry.. Rest in peace..John..

Greetings from Dili, Timor-Leste in Southeast Asia. Wonderful drama, great aco

Wow, didn't know these existed! I am only familiar with the Simon Russell Beale dramas, which are excellent in their own right.

I’m with almost everyone here, that this new version is refreshing. I must’ve experienced all forms, with my favorite having Simon Russell Beale as Smiley. Adding this to the collection

@Nerdsworth: now we are wondering what else you have beyond these three radio adaptations...until then, thanks for these.

The best adaptation I’ve heard Hepton is great as smiley

It helps to have read the book first in order to understand the dynamics in this production.

Well done!

Nice interpretation

THIS is the best!

Excellent.

You can buy all the Le Carre's which were on tape...now in a box of dvds...bought myself a set and a set for my son, NEVER lend them out ❤

Thanks you🥳🥳Great play🧐

Wonderful

Wow, the movie is awesome, but the book... Priceless...

My comfort listening...again ❤

Absolute Gold!

The bit about Welsh names at the discrete hotel is hilarious.

Brilliant.

Great adaptation, a version I had never come across before. I am familiar with the book and the great BBC TV adaptation. Even the Hollywood version is half decent, but this is just perfect.

Brilliant...

Broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 1988. I hope this has a longer half-life on RU-vid than all the other BBC programmes I had saved for later - all the Charles Paris and Rumpole programmes have vanished in one fell alleged-copyright-infringement swoop. Better luck with le Carre, I hope.

No one ever thinks that George set the whole thing up to get revenge on Anne and bill

Brilliant!

Bernard Hepton is excellent here, as always.

Great Gem! Thank's

The best one on youtube

One of my favourite audio books ...so worth listening to ..love Alec Guinness

the series was amazing. the movie good. I'm liking this as well

I found it easier to see the plot/story without the visuals.

Hepton is brilliant in this RIP David John Moore Cornwall Why wasn’t he knighted ?

Best spy novels

Thank you, SO MUCH for this. I assume this is blasphemy. But I actually prefer Bernard Hepton over Alec Guinness for Smiley (though only by a little). And I realize the roles are written differently for radio vs. TV. ☮

Isn't that Nigel Stock who played Roddy "bloody" Martindale in the TV adaptation in the beginning of the recording? This is like a cast remix of the TV series!

Had this version on tape unfortunately one of the cassette tapes got badly mangled. Although I have it audible, kindle and paperback, its nice to Bernard's version of Smiley. I think he also did Smiley's people, if so any chance of an upload?

I prefer this reading however once you have seen the film,you can’t help but imagine Colin Firth as Haden. the voice is IDENTICAL.

Is the actor playing Jerry Westerby, Brian Cox? This radio version is an excellent adaptation.

Even better the second time around.

BBC Four tv are re-showing classic this tv series again start 29/05/21

Hello Control, how is Mrs. Control?

All the characters in this are a lot "nicer" than in the great BBC 70s series and book. Ricky was a rogue, Control was a serpent , Lacon was a self serving creep and Alleline was a pompous Scot.

Is this a faithful adaptation of the book if so, i want to be a John Le Carre Completist, being one of my favorite spy fiction and non fiction writers as well. Thanks for the upload can wait to get into the film and tv adaptation once im done with it. RIP John Le Carre. Its also ironic that his place of rest and writer was a house near a beach, and i always thought writers had that getaway when writing a book, and that was interesting fascination. can someone let me know if this is the full audio of the whole book? Its a great hear

I absolutely loathed Gary Oldman’s portrayal of George Smiley. I really enjoyed this adaptation as a radio play. The ending was a bit of a surprise.

Really good this I always liked alex Guinness. But I found this just a entertaining... after reading spycatcher the I think this must have been suspected by the people in the service .

Connie is absolutely fabulous!

A1 production

Whatever happened to the Smileys People audio drama upload???? Please bring it back it was great .