The spy who came in from the cold... and nobody believed he was actually cold.
At the height of the cold war, a known Russian spy ("Kyril") is sent to the UK under falsely reported pretenses in order to hopefully indirectly spark an unknown mole in the KGB to reveal himself; the endeavor eventually has repercussions which none of the initial players could have predicted.
Acting
Edward Woodward's weary spy cynicism hits different.
Writing
Le Carré-level knotty plotting without the brand recognition.
Director
Ian Sharp
Ian Charleson
Ivan Bucharensky - 'Kyril'
Edward Woodward
Michael Royston
Joss Ackland
'C'
Richard E. Grant
Laurence Sculby
John McEnery
Loshkevoi
Denholm Elliott
Povin
Peter Vaughan
Marshal Stanov
Espen Skjønberg
General Michaelov
James Laurenson
Sikarov
Sven-Bertil Taube
Stolynovitch
Catherine Neilson
Emma
Hugh Fraser
Peter Jackson
Peter Wight
Evans
Dermot Crowley
Carter
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
This was adapted from John Howlett's novel, not Le Carré—though everyone assumed it was. The shadow of Tinker Tailor looms large.
Released months before the Berlin Wall fell, making its Cold War anxieties instantly archaeological. Denholm Elliott died the following year; this was among his final performances.
GB
