The story was famously adapated for TV as a seven-part mini-series by the BBC in 1979, featuring Alec Guinness as George Smiley.

> Buy the TV series on DVD on Amazon.

Released in cinemas on 16th September, the new movie’s cast also includes Colin Firth, Gary Oldman, John Hurt, Kathy Burke, Tom Hardy (The Dark Knight Rises), Ciarán Hinds (Rome), Toby Jones (Doctor Who), Roger Lloyd Pack (Only Fools And Horses) and Mark Strong (Kick Ass).

Watch the trailer…