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)
S2E09 - EMERGENCY PODCAST: Justice League & The Snyder Cut
S2E08 - Lighting Motivation feat. Paige Smith
S2E07 - Blocking in Before the Devil Knows You're Dead
S2E06 - Experimental Animation
S2E05 - American Utopia and Visual Structures in Concert Cinema
S2E04 - Sounds of an Inner Life
S2E03 - Indie Post Production
S2E02 - Varda by Agnès: What is Videography?
S2E01 - Fail Safe and Contrast
Inter-season Special - State of the Podcast & Listener Q&A
Ep 20 - "Cinematic" feat. Nathan Douglas, James Penco & Paige Smith
Ep 19 - Storyboarding with Studio Ghibli
Ep 18 - Vancouver Cinema and Late Capitalism feat. Josh Cabrita
Ep 17 - Finding Star Wars feat. Drew Stewart
Ep 16 - Sounds of Commerce in Early Documentary feat. Tanya Goldman
Ep 15 - Visual Textures with Christopher Blauvelt
Ep 14 - Revisionist Audio
Ep 13 - Documentary Writing and Mr. Jane and Finch feat. Alison Duke
Ep 12 - Fourteen and discontinuous production feat. Dan Sallitt
Ep 11 - Prince of Darkness feat. Mike Thorn
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