66 Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy Quotes (2024) #2

Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy

Wall Graffiti: The future is female.

Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy

George Smiley: [discussing the veracity of a new report] Where did you get this?
Control: I didn't. Percy and his little cabal walked in with it.
Easterhase: Look, Control...
Control: Shut up!
Bill Haydon: Style, appalling. Blatantly a fabrication from beginning to end. Just could be

the real thing.
Control: Smiley is suspicious, Percy.
George Smiley: Where did it come from? What's the access?
Percy Alleline: A new secret source of mine.
George Smiley: But how could he possibly have access?
Percy Alleline: He has access to the most sensitive levels of policy

making. We named the Operation Witchcraft.
Control: Well, Percy and his pals bypassed us Smiley. Gone straight to the minister. Percy has been allowed to keep the identity of his new friend top secret.

Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy

Irina: I have something to trade. Something big.

Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy

Ricki Tarr: She told me she had a secret, the mother of all secrets...

Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy

Bill Haydon: It's become so ugly...

Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy

Bill Haydon: I thought I'd pop down and catch a glimpse at the new girl before Bland gets to her.
Peter Guillam: Ah, yes, Belinda the Blonde.

Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy

Jim Prideaux: [on Roach] I've known a lot of Bills in my time. They've all been good ones. Whatcha good at?

Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy

Control: [signs his resignation] A man should know when to leave the party...

Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy

[Haydon rides a bicycle into the Circus office]
Peter Guillam: You got clearance for that?
Bill Haydon: Well, I'm not bloody chaining it up outside. Mind you, probably no better off in here with this bunch of bloody cut-throats, they'll have the gold out of your teeth!

Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy

[from trailer]
Bill Haydon: What the hell are you doing up here?

Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy

[from trailer]
Ricki Tarr: [about Irina] She had information concerning a double agent. What she told me was sensational...

Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy

Bill Haydon: You really are a poison dwarf, Toby. Why don't you fuck off to his majesty and stop trying to involve me in your little cabaret.

Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy

Ricki Tarr: [to Smiley] I want a wife and family, I don't want to end up like you.

Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy

George Smiley: After today, Peter, they have to assume they're watching you. If there's anything you need tidied up, now's the time.

Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy

[Alleline's telex arrives from London]
Ricki Tarr: Read it aloud.
Ben: "Personal for Tarr from Alleline: require clarification before meeting your request. Quote, 'information vital to safeguarding of the Circus', unquote, does not qualify, send further information."
Ricki Tarr: [laughing maniacally] That's the way, Percy boy!

You keep stalling. I warn you, Ben, we've got some really lousy people in this outfit, I wouldn't trust a fucking one of them!

Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy

Control: Trust no one, Jim. Especially not in the mainstream. Sit down. I understand you still have one Hungarian identity running.
Jim Prideaux: I do.
Control: I want you to go to Budapest. This is not above board. Nobody else knows. They're after my head, Jim-boy. You understand? I have had an offer of service. A Hungarian general

wants to come over. I would like you to meet him. He has some information that I need, Jim.
Jim Prideaux: What information?
Control: Treasure. He has the name of the mole the Russians have planted in the British intelligence service, right at the top of the Circus. There's a rotten apple, Jim. We have to find it.