Smiley's People (TV Mini Series)

Alexandra Tatjana (1982)

Alec Guinness: George Smiley

Photos 

Quotes 

• George Smiley : [on Grigoriev]  So, how conscious is he?

  Toby Esterhase : George, he's Russian, OK? The Russians think the butterflies are spying on them.

• Ann Smiley : I'm all you've got, George. I'm all there is; there isn't anything else. I want to stop looking. I want you to do the same. Oh, for God's sake, let's pull down the shutters and be a boring married couple.

  George Smiley : I came to tell you that, while I am away - well, it's widely known within the intelligence fraternity - on all sides - that you used to be dear to me. So you and I are both at risk while I'm away.

  Ann Smiley : And afterwards?

  [long pause] 

  George Smiley : Goodbye.

• Lady Ann Smiley : You used to say they were the people who ruined England.

  George Smiley : Did I? Who were THEY in those days? I forget.

  Lady Ann Smiley : Most of my family, even Uncle Harry. What did they do wrong?

  George Smiley : Stayed the same, I guess.

• Saul Enderby : It isn't some wicked Bolshie plot, is it, George, to lure us to our ultimate destruction?

  George Smiley : I'm afraid that we're no longer worth the candle, Saul.

• Saul Enderby : The point is, I suppose, having set up his apparatus, trained it to accept his iron rule, Karla didn't dare use it for this deal, that's your point?

  George Smiley : That's my point.

  Saul Enderby : Ergo, we're dealing with a bunch of ninnies, not red-toothed hoods.

  George Smiley : Not ninnies, just ordinary people.

  Saul Enderby : You mean hoods aren't?

  George Smiley : Karla was under stress. He had to take risks.

  Saul Enderby : Like bumping chaps off.

  George Smiley : That was more recent.

  Saul Enderby : You're bloody forgiving these days, aren't you, George?

  George Smiley : Am I? If you say so.

  Saul Enderby : Bloody meek, too!