Adapting literary works to the screen involves a certain amount of translation. There are certain things that are easily conveyed in writing that cannot be conveyed in a straightforward way onscreen; likewise, there are elements of cinematic language that open up new routes to expression. John Le Carre’s Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy is a useful case study in this regard: it has been the subject of two acclaimed adaptations that could not be more distinct in the toolkit each uses to translate book to screen. We’ve invited Tim Brayton, film critic at Alternate Ending, to discuss both the 1979 John Irving adaptation as well as Tomas Alfredson’s 2011 take.
In this episode, we discuss:Literary accuracy versus formal expressiveness in adaptation.
Focal lengths, zoom lenses, and the observational mode.
1970s BBC television house style: is it any good?
Narrative obscurity.
John Le Carre’s stylistic toolit as a writer and the challenges it poses for adaptations.
The construction of performances through lighting and framing.
Mark Strong: MVP?
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Works discussed during this episode:
The Spy Who Came in From the Cold (1965)
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (1979)
Smiley’s People (1982)
The Little Drummer Girl (1984)
The Tailor Of Panama (2001)
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (2011)
A Most Wanted Man (2014)
Commentary 6 - STILL PROCESSING with Sophy Romvari
Commentary 5 - IN DOG YEARS with Sophy Romvari
Commentary 4 - NORMAN NORMAN with Sophy Romvari
Commentary 3 - PUMPKIN MOVIE with Sophy Romvari
Commentary 2 - IT’S HIM with Sophy Romvari
Commentary 1 - NINE BEHIND with Sophy Romvari
1-Year Anniversary Q&A [Featuring Wong Kar-wai and Snyder Cut Hot Takes]
S3E10 - Rescuing The Good, the Bad and the Ugly with Benji Heran & Jordan Krug
S3E08 - Colour Grading with Andrea Chlebak
S3E07 - The Bourne Series and Chaos Cinema
S3E06 - Wes Craven's Meta Horror with Mike Thorn
S3E05 - After Last Season and Outsider Art with Bram Ruiter
S3E04 - Eighth Grade and the Internet with Bronwyn Henderson and Brietta Stewart
S3e03 - Documentary Verite with Sophy Romvari
S3E02 - Narrative Verite with Whit Stillman
S3E01 - Film Preservation and Home Video with Blake Blasingame
Inter-season Special 2 - Listener Q&A
AMA Announcement - Plus HOT TAKES with Devan
S2E10 - Colour in the Films of Wong Kar-Wai
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