Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy: Press reviews

'Utterly absorbing, extremely smart and - considering this is a sad, shabby, drably grey-green world of obsessives, misfits, misdirection, disillusionment, self-delusion and treachery - quite beautifully executed.'

'A triumph'

'a rare film.'

'A brilliant study of the disenchantment, compromise and tension of the 1970s spy game... What a treat this film is, and what an unexpected thrill.'

'Alfredson has produced a riveting version of a classic book, one that stands as an equal alongside its television forebear.'

'This Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy is cold and remote, which Le Carré himself (his weakness being, on the contrary, sentimentality) never has been. Maybe that's what he admired so much about it.'

'An effective celebration of Le Carré's artful story-telling, acted by one and all with a quiet panache that strikes home'

'A classy story of duplicity and paranoia from an uncompromisingly gifted filmmaker. Awards glory beckons.'

'A pleasurably sly and involving puzzler — a mystery about mysteries within mysteries.'

'If you're in the mood for expertly handled tension, subtle menace and superior acting by everyone involved, this is not to be missed... [Oldman's] beautifully modulated piece of underacting deserves to make him a strong contender at [2012's] Oscars.'

'A marvellously chill and acrid cold war thriller... Oldman gives a deliciously delicate, shaded performance'

'Admirable'

'Tense, taught and terrific.'

'This film's superb cast, script and direction threaten to make that journey equally as thrilling as Le Carré's book.'

'Prepare to lose yourself – in every sense – in a labyrinth of double-agents, deception and damn fine acting from the year's best British line-up.'

'The film is a polished, populous, pedigreed affair.'