Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (TV Mini Series)

Tarr Tells His Story (1979)

Alec Guinness: George Smiley

Quotes 

• George Smiley : I never heard of anyone who left the Circus without some unfinished business.

• Oliver Lacon : When you came to me a year ago with similar suspicions, I'm afraid I threw you out.

  George Smiley : You told me to abandon my enquiries, as they were unconstitutional.

  Oliver Lacon : Oh, was that the word I used? How very pompous of me.

• Peter Guillam : As soon as he gave me his story I rang Sir Oliver from a call box. I rang him here, from London.

  [Smiley stares at Guillam] 

  Peter Guillam : Well, at the time there was no reason to suppose the phone was tapped...

  George Smiley : There was every reason.

• George Smiley : It's very unusual for Moscow Centre to use a husband-and-wife team. Hard to believe. Unless of course they have children in Moscow, hostages...

  Ricki Tarr : They have.

  Peter Guillam : Common-law marriage. Unofficial, but permanent.

  Ricki Tarr : There's a lot the other way around these days, believe it or not, Mr. Smiley.

• George Smiley : The state of my marriage must be very common knowledge if it's gone as far down the line as Ricki Tarr. For the record, the thing with Ann and Bill Haydon is long over. My wife's present infatuation is with a young actor, currently unemployed.

• [last lines] 

  George Smiley : While you enjoy yourself, I shall visit Oxford, to look up an old and invaluable friend.

  Oliver Lacon : Please, don't take any unnecessary risks!

• George Smiley : Oh, I quite understand your position.

  Oliver Lacon : Thank you. After all, it's not every day one's head of secret service embarks on a private war against the Czechs.