191. Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (2011) - Guest: Jeff Quest from The le Carré Cast and Spy Write

191. Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (2011) - Guest: Jeff Quest from The le Carré Cast and Spy Write

Author: Scott Hardy & Cam Smith December 17, 2024 Duration: 1:50:00

Agents Scott and Cam, along with guest operative Jeff Quest of The le Carré Cast and Spy Write website, cut loose at the British Secret Intelligence Service Christmas party while decoding the 2011 adaptation of John le Carré's Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy. 

Directed by Tomas Alfredson. Starring Gary Oldman, Colin Firth, Tom Hardy, Mark Strong, Ciarán Hinds, Benedict Cumberbatch, David Dencik, Stephen Graham, Simon McBurney, Toby Jones, Kathy Burke and John Hurt.

Check out Jeff's writing over at Spy Write.

You can also listen to him on The le Carré Cast and Barbican Station - A Slough House Podcast, available everywhere. Make sure to check out Jeff's interview with Gary Oldman.

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Podcast artwork by Hannah Hughes.

Theme music by Doug Astley.


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Every week, Scott Hardy and Cam Smith-operating under the aliases Agent Scott and Cam the Provocateur-dive deep into the shadowy world of espionage cinema on their show, SpyHards-A Spy Movie Podcast. This isn't just a surface-level review; they decode the tradecraft, the tropes, and the timeless appeal of classic spy films. You'll hear them analyze everything from the gritty realism of George Smiley and Jason Bourne to the over-the-top gadgetry of Derek Flint and the comedic antics of Austin Powers and Johnny English. The conversation spans legendary franchises like James Bond and Mission: Impossible to cult favorites such as Kingsman, The Man From U.N.C.L.E., and even Spy Kids. A running thread through this podcast is the quest to determine which films earn a spot on their prestigious N.O.C. List, essentially cementing their legacy within the spy genre canon. Blending film criticism with historical context and a genuine fan's enthusiasm, each episode feels like a debriefing with two friends who know far too much about secret agents. It’s a weekly mission for anyone who’s ever wondered about the cultural impact of a perfectly shaken martini or the mechanics of a hidden tape recorder.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

SpyHards - A Spy Movie Podcast
Podcast Episodes
222. How to Steal the World (1968) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:21:56
Agents Scott and Cam take a tumble off of LAX Airport while wrapping up the Man from U.N.C.L.E. theatrical film series with 1968's How to Steal the World. Directed by Sutton Roley. Starring Robert Vaughn, David McCallum,…
221. Invisible Agent (1942) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:33:23
Agents Scott and Cam slather their faces with cold cream while decoding the 1942 Universal Horror spin-off spy adventure Invisible Agent. Directed by Edwin L. Marin. Starring Ilona Massey, Jon Hall, Peter Lorre, Cedric H…
220. The Gray Man (2022) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:42:30
Agents Scott and Cam belt out their rendition of Silver Bird to Ryan Gosling while tackling the 2022 Netflix spy action film The Gray Man. Directed by Anthony & Joe Russo. Starring Ryan Gosling, Chris Evans, Ana de Armas…
Richard Whelan on GoldenEye - SpyMaster Interview #109 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:04:26
Agents Scott & Cam welcome second unit/assistant director Richard Whelan to the show to reveal the secrets behind creating GoldenEye's unforgettable action sequences. He also shares stories about working on Patriot Games…